Here we are with the first posting of the Colorado get-together for the new year 2023. We want to wish everyone reading this the very best for an interesting and prosperous coming year.
This past December, as with much of the country, winter arrived in earnest. One day in particular offered us both high and low temperatures well below zero degrees. After that, a temperature of 20 degrees F seems almost moderate. It's a perspective thing.
In our new year's posting we have pictures and comments from some of our members. So let's get started.
Cheryl & Chris
Cheryl and Chris tell us about a cute little machine they have, which needed some wiring replacement work:
Chris did some electrical work on this little Dynamic that Emily picked up back in 2017. It's not the best for sewing, but she likes it.
When the daughter brought this machine home, the wiring was in very bad shape. It was in the kind of shape that would start a fire, burn the house down and then trip the breaker. Seriously, there were bare wires coming out of motor and the insulation was perished on large chunks of the rest of the wires. So, ALL the wire had to be replaced.
The outlet that is used for the "light" and "motor" connections was the first point attack. Of course, this part was not made to be serviced so the manufacturer graciously ground down the screw heads on the back to prevent access. (Sorry, really should have taken pictures.) With a little persuasion, the back came off. Apparently, the OEM really didn't want anyone servicing this, because inside the assembly the wires were riveted to the contact strips. But with the aid of some hardware from my "collection" the old wire was replaced with brand new wire. Screws, with heads, replaced the ground off old screws that held back plate on and all was right with the world.
Next up was replacing the naked wiring to the motor. The motor casing was removed, the old wires unsoldered and new, clothed wires were soldered in their place. The strain-relief on the motor casing was a bit of a tight fit owing to the thicker insulation on the new wires (bulkier clothes for the winter?). However, since the new motor wire had a modern pre-molded polarized plug on the end (can you say "repurposed extension cord"?) a bit of filing was needed so the plug would fit into the "light"/"motor" connector, which was NOT polarized. (Yet another reason to keep a mill file around.)
The foot controller was the easiest part of the three to rewire. The bottom plate slides off, the wires are well dressed and screwed into place. So that was a pleasant surprise.
C & C
to be continued