What would be the cause of a vintage singer's metal foot pedal become very hot? ( I was bare foot) but sews great. I took the foot pedal apart and the wiring looked ok. Any ideals? Thanks in advance. Monie

These are "always on", and always have current running through them. If you rest your foot on the pedal, just short of running the machine, it's going to get hot. It's going to get warm anyway, by virtue of being plugged in, which is why we should ALWAYS unplug those vintage babies when they aren't in use.

How long had you been using the machine when you noticed the pedal was hot?

About an hour.And thank you I did not know to unplug them, I just went an unpluged my 301.

Wow!! I did not know that about the vintage machines. I never leave any of my machines plugged into an outlet when they are not in use. I will be very careful when using my electric vintage machines.

I am a nutcase about electricity, so I would probably have the foot pedal checked. I have 3 sewing machines, the oldest is 40+ years, and have never experienced the foot pedal over heating. That doesn't mean it can't happen, though. Please be careful.

The footpedal should not get that hot. Get an electrician to check it out. I think it is shorting out.

I have a 40 yr old New Home and it's pedal was getting really hot. I took it apart and noticed some rust on the springs. Guess what - when I let off of the foot pedal it did not come all the way up so it kept the current flowing continously. For $24 I replaced it easily with a new one and have not had a problem since. I strongly urge you to change it out before you use it much more. I was shocked at the rust, lint and just plain dirt in the foot. Mine was a metal foot and I could slide the bottom plate off to see the metal springs and the ceramic posts. Really old technology. ;)

My other vintage machines don't get hot. I will have it checked thanks alot for all of your expert advice.

I have mine plugged into a surge protector. I just turn the serge protector off when not in use. :)

An hour is really not enough time for the pedal to be getting hot...I agree with the others, have it checked out.

As for the machines being "always on" when plugged in, we're too used to modern machines where when the light is off, the machine can't be used. With the vintage machines, the light can be on or off, doesn't matter, that baby will still stitch if the foot pedal is pressed! :)