the belt is slipping but looks to be in good shape, can I put vasaline on it to soften up the leather and get better grip out of it. Or maybe I just need to shorten the belt.

does anyone have the name of the guy on here that gives advise and repairs old machines

You want to ask Billy. I think his membership name is Lostn51.

go to Main and scroll down to Vintage machine shop
His name is Billy

thanks ladies, I sent him a pm

Do you have the manual for it? You can go to SingerCo.com and d/l it for free ( in most cases). Some machines have a motor which can be lowered and raised.
I was at the Mennonite sewing machine repair shop yesterday and they said "do not use 3 in 1 oil".
I did buy new bobbin winder tires for .17 each.
I would be cautious about putting any substance on my machine.

No vasceline! It would never get a grip. But, sounds like you should shorten it, and I would only shorten it a 1/4 inch at a time. I had the same issue with mine once.
Tammy

It may be old, stretched out and a little brittle. You can get a new one online--they're not expensive. I've seen others on the board post that they also use boot laces. Oh, yeah--definitely no vaseline.