I bought an old converted machine today. It had been a treadle machine, converted to a "portable", in a case. Very heavy, lol. You can see where at one time it said Olson on the front, but no longer. It seems to be missing a piece that I suspect is a prong for a second spool of thread. It needs cleaning badly, but the woman I bought it from says it works, or did, last time she used it.

I can't find a serial number or year on it anywhere, and my built in flash reflects so much that the photos are terrible. I will have to get my dh to take it back outside to get a daylight photo.

I didn't get a manual, but hope to figure out how to work it. I really wish I could get it into a cabinet and out of the case, since it really makes it sit up high. I looked on the net, but could find nothing on the name Olson.

A lot of the old Singer and others were "rebranded" and sold under other names. What I would do is Google old Singer sewing machine images to find one that looks similar, check it out online to make sure it is a close match (especially the bobbin), and then perhaps order a manual for that machine.

http://www.ismacs.net/faq.html#badged

This came up when I googled "Olson Sewing Machine"

I found the number S 58068 on the front of it, on the underside. Boy, does this machine need cleaned, lol.

No, but if I ever saw one I would snatch it up! My mother, who taught me to sew on a Singer treadle, was an Olson. I had never heard of the history behind naming these machines. Very interesting.

I had not either until yesterday when I went to pick up my machine at the shop and saw Olson in the list of machines he works on. The man fixes home and industrial machines so it may be one of those.

I pulled the machine out of the case and looked it over pretty well. It really needs cleaned up, inside and out. Even after looking over the tutorial, I am not sure I am up to that job, lol. Anyone know a qualified person in the Ft. Myers area that could clean and maybe rewire it for me? And a manual for it, or a generic that is close would be nice, too.

My dh asked how many sewing machines I plan to collect, lol. Is there a good answer to the question?

check out Muv's videos - she has made 9 - just above the picture it will say other videos http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-155695-1.htm
Your machine may not be exactly identical to hers but the same methods and principles apply. You will need a manual for what ever machine you are working on.

I would love to get a manual, lol. SO far, haven't even been about to find anything online about an Olson. THanks for the video link. She is very good.

A picture would help figure out what it is.

My maiden name. Will have to investigate this one.

Finally got some fairly decent photos. Looks like an old Singer clone. I am hoping to find someone around here who works on vintage machines that I can afford, lol. I just do not see me taking this apart. Bear with me as I post the photos.

Have you stitched with her yet? You may not need a full spa cleanup....she really doesn't look bad to me!

She is very dirty inside. The case she was in was pretty dirty, too. I have wiped the outside down, but she really needs cleaned up.

I see. :)

Try putting an ad on Craig's List?

Muv's videos are easy to follow. If you are able to sew and follow directions you can do this. If you have a manual you can do this. UM If I can do this you can too..... That one looks just like the one I am working on this week. Mine has a twisted out of place needle bar to turn. Does yours actually stitch? If it will stitch it isn't very hard to clean them up. The bobbin area just has a couple clamp things that you move and the shuttle will pop out and you can clean it up. To re assemble just look in the manual - I'm so glad there are only 2 parts and they are EASY to do. As long as it works all you need is to clean the tension like Muv does in the video! A bit of cleaning and oil and you might just be good to go. Here is a repair manual. It even tells how to fix the motor. http://parts.singerco.com/IPinstManuals/15-91.pdf Here is a post with Muv's videos. http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-155695-1.htm at the top of Utube there is a button to hit and you can see all 9 of Muv's videos. You don't need to do the motor if it sounds good. The wires need to be inspected for cracks and bare wires. Sew-classic has info and wires to buy. She also has parts. You really don't have anything to lose by trying to clean it.

How about a link to a manual that shows how to use the machine. Frankly, the repair manual gives me a headache just looking at it. There was a day when I would just take it apart and put it back together again without a qualm, but no more, and not anything with that many parts, lol. I don't work on my car anymore, either.

I really would like to get her cleaned up and up and running. I have a quilt sitting here that keeps saying FIX ME, lol, and after trying to get it under both my machines, I tried putting it in my lap to work on it. The repair is, of course, dab smack in the middle. And I am determine to fix this one myself. My dh is starting to wonder about me, lol.

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...ion-manual.pdf
users manual

Bless you. And I don't mean, bless your heart, lol.

Thank you so much.