Yup it doesn't take much to get them moving does it? The dried up oil can dissolve and there she goes! I bet the sunbath didn't hurt one little bit. I did that with a Bernina. Put it in the car for a while on a hot day. It moved nice and free until it got cold. At least I knew it would move. Then I kept at the oil - you want to wipe off excess oil... just keep it in the joints. Some times it helps to turn the machine different directions so the oil will flow into those joints.

Nancy,

Glad you got it freed up. When I brought my Franklin home it wouldn't hardly move. It took a lot of effort for little result. I hosed it with Liquid Wrench and in a little while she was spinning freely. Now with oil and cleaning she sews soooo easy. Which is good, cos Mrs. Franklin is a treadle machine.

Joe

I have a Commander that has some bare wires coming from the motor, would those be very hard to redo? Otherwise, he's in great shape.

Just get a different motor and wires - there is a screw that holds the motor on - unscrew it and put the new one on and adjust your belt.

Can the motor be rewired?

probably if you know what you are doing. Bennett does that kind of thing - send a pm

I would like to keep the motor if it still runs since it has the sears name on it. My husband is handy with electrical stuff, I think I going to try and get him to work on it. Thanks

sew classic has wires

here is one I found - it looks almost like new. I have found that the ones that look like they were never used probably weren't (duh) but they usually have some issue or another - probably WHY they weren't ever used. This one had some tension problems and the bobbin case pops out all the time. Once it was adjusted it sews very nice. BTW it is not missing the slide plate - it is just so shiny and it just reflects the fabric real well [ATTACH=CONFIG]325289[/ATTACH]

In my 15-91 adjusters manual Singer says to use kerosene to clean out darkened, thick oil or grease. If Singer say it's ok it must not hurt the machines at all.

Just had to post this pic with my Dressmaker and the Commander I've been working on. Looks like they sure came from the same family doesn't it.

Grannysewer, that is a really nice Dressmaker Japanese 15!

But, Miriam I love the color of yours! Wow, what a sleek looking 15! Like I said, I love the color!

Nancy

Yes it can. I've done two or three. The cord simply goes into the motor housing then splits off and goes two directions. All you do is unsolder the cord where it's soldered to the motor wires and remove it.
Some have a plastic stress relief that holds the cord and others have a weird knot just inside the housing to prevent the wire from pulling on the motor wires.

Once you get the motor apart, clean it well but carefully. Clean the commutator so the brushes get good contact, it's a good time to replace them if needed. Clean up the bearing or bushing area as well. And if there are no external lube holes this is a good time to lube them. Most have some sort of lube, grease or oil. You just gotta figure out how to get it in.

After all that you put it back together and plug it in.

Joe

Thanks Joe, that sounds exactly like what my husband did. He tried to tell what he was doing, but that's not something I'm good at. I cleaned everything else up and that motor was on the Commander in the pic I posted. It wants to run like a bandit.

I shot a whole family - baby bear, momma bear and daddy bear? Well, not really, they all have Japanese 15 tension plates and bobbins. The slide plate is smaller on Momma bear. [ATTACH=CONFIG]326212[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]326213[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]326214[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]326215[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]326216[/ATTACH]

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...5125057further discussion on there - if nothing else look for window #33315 to start.

Miriam,

Here is a pix of my 3/4 sized class 15 "Noname" with a stitch length lever that is a different stylethat most of the class 15s. I also added a pix of my Cinderella.

Cathy

[ATTACH=CONFIG]326269[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]326270[/ATTACH]

Cathy,

That stitch lever is reminiscent of the one on my 66-18. Kind of goofy looking in my opinion.

If I had some wood working tools and space to use them I'd make my own machine cases. I have a design in my brain I'd like to build.

Joe

My New Treasure
 

Just found this one today, then found this thread to share it on. Pretty good Saturday.

Welcome to QB - you are going to love that machine!

Miriam....does your Cinderella have a motor boss? Also, is the motor generic or does it need to be a specific motor just for the Cinderella? Thanks.

This is my cute little 15 clone that I found at a local thrift shop. I was dropping off some bags of donations and when I was bent down I came "eye to eye" with a little blue and white sewing machine case. It hadn't been priced yet so I went back a few days later and bought it for $45.00. It sews so-o-o smoothly. I love it!!

I was vacationing in Roswell GA last week. Either Value Village or the thrift store down the road with the fancy name, Paris?, had a very old sewing for sale. I had no transportation, nor specialized knowledge, so I passed it by. Might be worth a look?

Off hand I don't know to all of the above.

there are so many kinds and brands of sewing machines out there.

O.K. Thanks.

Cathy, that is a really nice looking 'blue' machine! I love the Japanese 15's that are a color! I am looking for a red one!

Nancy

I want a red machine, too, but so far haven't found one although there is a red machine on eBay but the price is too high.

I've bid on several blue ones. Each a different brand name. Got outbid every time. I don't know why I want a colored one, the black ones I already have sew just fine, but I do.

Joe

Na na nanna na na... I have a couple blue ones - pics in a couple weeks. They are each different.

miriam, I could have a blue one from my LQS owner for $75. He'd even deliver it. Too bad as I have no desire for any more machines until all I have are in perfect order.

Ttthhhhhhhhhhpppppptt! Some folks just have all the luck.


Joe

I'm learning all kinds of stuff in Ray White's class - now that is luck!!!

You learn how to retime a 15 Clone yet? One what has internal interference problems?

Joe

Joe you should take Ray's class too. He does teach timing.

Miriam,
If the finances ever get sorted out to the point I can set back enough $$$.¢¢ I'd love to.

Joe

Actually the clone has a fixed timing in the bottom - it can't be changed - it has a pin - no screw. You can adjust the needle bar if necessary.

Miriam,

Correctomundo. This machine was out of adjustment before I got it. I got it to the point it would actually sew without bending and breaking needles only to find it had an interference problem between the reverse lever and the cam on the main horizontal shaft.
Tried a few things but ended up bending something. Machine is semi-locked up now. I've had so many other things come up I haven't had the time to get back to it.
One of these days.

Joe

Yes my Cinderella has a generic motor and a motor boss - the motor is regular sized and will loudly run like crazy. I've done more exploring on the Cinderella. While it has Japanese 15 tension and shuttle, inside and under it is NOT a Japanese 15 after all. I should shoot some pictures of the difference. I got the outside cleaned up and got her oiled - her case is a disaster - I can't decide whether to try to fix it up or make some kind of box for the machine to set in. This machine can't be hand cranked by attaching a HC to the boss - it is offset from the wheel. I am not sure I want my GDs to have one of these. I think a better choice would be a 99 or Spartan or 185 or 3/4 size clone...

Thanks for the info. I bought one on ebay and it came without a motor or electric cords. I'm assuming that the outer shell of the machine breaks apart because I've seen pics of it taken off. Good thing because otherwise mine would be considered broken. I haven't had time to check it over completely but I'm thinking it's going to end up as a pretty decoration.