I've heard a lot about the Singer 319 and have been watching for one for a very long time. Well, I brought one home yesterday. I took her to my shop today and worked for a few hours. Let me introduce you.

DH examined her electric system and decided to pull it all off. Wires are bare and dangling. Not safe by any means.

The top of the machines insides - she changes stitch design by flipping these levers. Well, maybe some day she will...

Mine was in the same shape and is happily sewing away now...actually yours may be in bit better condition than mine is. I have some paint chips on mine.

I used Kerosene and some Dawn to clean

I used a lot of paper towels and Dawn to clean and lots and lots of kerosene. I applied the kerosene with a brush. I kept going over and over it.

I am looking forward to seeing her when you have her all cleaned up and back together.

I cleaned up the bottom of the machine.

I also worked on the front and top insides a little bit

Oops I should have shown these before I shot the front and back...

I still have a lot to do. I didn't even look at the tension or the stitch knob thingy. The black disks on the top turn but they don't make it zig or zag. I'm thinking about using a bit of heat from the hair dryer to see if it will move. I'm reluctant to use any penetrating oil because everything is painted. I didn't take an old tooth brush along so couldn't scrub corners very well. The stitch length doesn't seem to budge. The motor will be torn down and cleaned. Then DH promises to rewire the whole mess. At least the cabinet is pretty...
DH is ok but sore from the wasp bite.

She does have a nice body. No nicks or big scratches. I hope I don't inflict any on her.

You did a really nice job!!!!! Pretty machine.
I use silver cleaner on my badges and they shine up really nicely.

Wow! Hope you will be thrilled with her for years to come.

Are you sure thats's a 206 x 13 needle, Miriam? Your photo is a bit blurry, but it may not be. Lots of people stuck regular needles in these. Check your bobbin case. If it's all nicked up, chances are that's not the correct needle. Or at least it's really dull probably needs replacing anyway. I order mine online.

I recently sold a black one and now I regret it!

I have no idea if it is the correct needle. I saved it anyway. I wish I knew where I put the bobbin case. DUH. I know it had one. I should probably buy a life time supply of the needles right now I think I'll wait to see if the zig zag thing ever moves...

Very NICE! You did an excellent job cleaning. You should put this in a treadle.

Very nice!! :)

I might have to if DH doesn't have time to do the wiring. I just have to have a frame/table - I have an empty treadle base. I guess I could just hold a flash light up while I treadle away. Did you notice the belt on the inside??? It had a motor and a belt outside then the other belt inside. Very curious machine. The wonders of how zig zag evolved...

wow, wow, will be great when you get the machine all cleaned up

Did you get an owner manual? That would help a lot. Check "SINGER" on line and see if you can get one.

Yes I found one at Ismacs and I printed it on both sides. Stood there for an hour printing out over 100 pages. I found a service manual too but I haven't printed it out yet. http://parts.singerco.com/IPsvcManuals/306W25.pdf
It is for Singer Swing needle includes several machines.

The nice thing about printing out a manual is you can photo copy and make all the notes you want on a project, then fix up your notes so you can read them later.

Yes, I did notice that belt. Looks in good shape and will last a long time.

The internal belt is in good shape so I was very careful not to get any Dawn or kerosene on it. I hope I NEVER have to do anything with that belt. ;-)

I've had to get that belt back on and it's a b*tch!

Thanks for the great before, during, and after pictures Miriam. They really tell a story of what a machine can look like when someone who cares gets a hold of it.

This is great--I really like seeing the whole process. The difference between the underside before and after really shows the work you are putting in to it.

Most old machine under sides are black so you can't really tell the difference.

hehehe well , I've got to admit, my first thought was after taking it apart , the car wash was the next visit. You've done wonders. I'm sure she'll be just fine cause her momma is a stickler for gettin things done. hehehe Yall do realize that this was kiddin from Arkansas???

Really interesting thread! Thank you.

Miriam, good job, I thought Billy's tut were good, but, this is even more clearier. Thank you for sharing. Thanks for keeping is simple and plain to understand. Good luck with it.

Hi, just thought I'd let you all know the little secret we use around here. We use GOOP hand cleaner to clean, oil and it leaves the machine very nice! To clean the heavy stuff, just slather on and let it sit for a bit. This also takes care of any rust. I use it on every machine and this is all I use.

She is in definite need of a full spa treatment but she will be a beauty when she is all cleaned up. Have fun with her and show pics after she's all dolled up!!!

you can order needles they tae size 206x13 and also order an instruction book for them, sometime you can get the little discs on e bay I did, Its a truly wonderful machine too bad it did not take off with singer I think it may have imtimidated some sewers, but it sews like a dream and the little piano like bars on top create such sonderful stitches..I just love mine. I got it at a garage sale for 25.00 including very nice cabinet and storage stool

Thank you for your kind words. This machine has an internal belt so it would not be a good idea to submerge - I'm doing everything I can to keep that belt from getting any thing on it. I will make another post when I get some more done on this machine. It will be difficult to get the zig zag parts to move freely - I cleaned a LOT of gunk off the externals - I'm kind of thinking heat may loosen the internals of the zig zag. I'm doing kind a no-no by not reading the manual. I should get busy on that. How ever, just getting it clean doesn't require much information. Getting it to move will be another story.

Goop is messy - I am working in a small area at a time. There are disks/cams in the top to protect and there is an internal belt. Some machines have plastic inside - be very careful using anything with a solvent - it doesn't take much to destroy one of those kind of fragile pieces. Most likely, they can not be replaced.

I just found the needles!!! I'm doing the happy dance!
http://shop.sew-classic.com/206x13-S...eedles_c46.htm

What a great job you are doing getting her ready to use again. She looks like she will be a wonderful addition to your sewing room. Love the cabinet, too.

What a job you have taken on... why are/were you attracted to this machine? I see lots wanting older machines and just wondering...
judy