1900's Standard Slim Sewing Machine Question
 

Hello!
I recently acquired a 1900's (not sure of the age) Standard Slim Sewing machine table. I want to refurbish this beautiful old machine, and need a few pointers on how best to do this. My main question is how to I open and close the table?

Any and all help is MUCH appreciated!!!

Hello--If you could post a pic of the table that would be very helpful.

You need to post your question in the vintage sewing machine section. Lots of knowledgeable people there.

Welcome, Binky. Indeed a picture would help. (I will post instructions at the end of this post.) Also we have a section here on Quilting Board for vintage and antique sewing machines. I used to only look at that forum, but have ventured out, now. It can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...thusiasts-f22/ There are a couple of sticky threads that have good information at the beginning of each page of that forum, such as https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...s-t193635.html and https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...v-t167789.html Those are basic and more advanced methods for the head itself. As for the woodwork the two threads that I would recommend would be https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...ts-t97670.html and https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutori...s-t109859.html. The later is the more basic and it really is amazing how much just cleaning the wood with his method improve the appearance of the cabinetry.

I do not have a Standard machine, but if it is like the one seen at https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...e-t291276.html, I believe that the machine is attached to the front piece that has "Standard" on it. I think that one just needs to lift the lid. I know that there are some that have some sort of chain or rope that lifts the machine as the lid is opened. I think that I have read of someone that had some sort problem with a self raising machine. It is also possible that once the lid is open, the machine just needs to be lifted and a hinged piece put in place and then lower the head.

We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.

I have found that only the big red "Reply" button or "Quote" work to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...p-location.jpg

Some additional info regarding reducing images at post #4 and images for the scroll and upload button can be found at #5 of https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...d-t312607.html

Or simply - Make sure pictures are smaller than 2MB
Click on red "Reply" button
Click on the paper clip icon
Click browse - choose picture/s. (only 5 allowed per post)
Once they show up as being loaded, Scroll over to the right side and click on "Upload"

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Here are the pictures of my machine. I got it open rather forcefully, and want to make sure I don't damage it by forcing it closed. The table does not open easily, so I am wondering if there is a latch or some other mechanism to smoothly close the table.

Here is the open wooden flap that has Standard on it:

It looks like the hinges are broken and bent, unsure what would cause that to happen. I'm not sure, but it doesn't look like there is a hinged part that Singer machines have once the machine is raised. Since you say it opened rather forcibly, I'm thinking that it may have been because as you lifted the top - it was also raising the machine head into position. I'm guessing that when you raised the top, that it also raised the machine and you didn't have to lift up the machine into position.

I wish someone who had a similar machine would chime in.

I think that if it were me I would replace the hinges if possible to find similar ones.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Thanks for your feedback, Janey! I really appreciate the information and suggestions you've shared with me. I am hoping to find replacement hinges for the lid. My goal is to restore this beautiful old machine. There is no rust on the machine, though it does need a good oiling, which I believe will make the opening and closing smoother. What type of oil do you suggest I use?