You can get some electric motor cleaner at an auto parts store, and that might help. Take the motor off of the machine, remove the brushes, and take it outside. Spray the holes that the brushes came out of while turning the shaft to clean the armature contacts. Wipe off the brushes and let it dry THOROUGHLY. Perhaps 2-3 hours. Replace the brushes and install it back in the machine. Run it wide open for about 2-3 minutes and it should help dramatically.
~G~

That is what we do - you can buy the whole unit from sew-classic and other places

I understand your position and the passion behind it. But please consider this. If I had not read this thread and realized HOW little could be spent, I never would have purchased my first Morse. Sometimes, IMHO, cost should be discussed. It seems like a differing of opinions doesn't have to be exclusive. The correct solution would be to start a thread for discussion! Different isn't wrong, it's just different. And that's what makes our lives interesting.

Grant, I did use electrical cleaner on the motor already. It needs new carbon brushes. When reinstalling them, one was literally crumbling to bits. Just purchased a bundle of them on EBay, including new springs. I think a motor rebuilding day will be in my future. Caroline S. just needs to come over and join me!!

I found that several of the steel parts of my Mercury (in post #411) are stamped "Toyota", and I wondered whether that is common to many of the clones. The Universal motor and the foot pedal both say "Made in USA". Were those added after import or did the Japanese companies buy them from the US and ship the machines complete? What about the attachments? I don't have any, but wondered if they were shipped with Japanese made attachments and what was typically included. My machine didn't even have it's original straight stitch foot.

I was trying to track down more information on the machine, and found this http://www.ehow.com/how_7821389_iden...-machines.html My machine is not marked as described, but I now believe that the TA at the start of the serial number refers to Toyota, and that it is definitely a Japanese clone. I was surprised about the Mercury brand starting in Chicago much earlier, and wondered what sort of machines they made there. Were they also Singer copies? And when they started making Mercuries in Japan, was that outsourcing by the Chicago company, still retaining their brand identity, and perhaps still maintaining a Chicago headquarters and doing the marketing there?

I don't have a manual for this machine, and wonder whether anyone could point me toward one. The Singer 15-91 manual I have is almost no help at all, and the Singer 15 tensioner that I bought does not fit. Luckily, the original tensioner seems to be okay, but could be better.

Set the day and time I will be there. I need to get out of the house!!!

I need one of those rebuild days here, too...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...y-t199702.html

Rose, here is a link to my Mercury Electric. It is also stamped with a TA #. The motor is a Morse.

Once those brushes and springs arrive, rebuilding shall commence! I'll also crank up my new soldering iron and do rewiring. I have at least one of Caroline's motors over here just waiting for attention.

Yours has prettier decals on the bed, and my motor is Universal, but other than that they could be twins.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to Grant15clone for the helpful tips and for sending me the links to manuals!

Free Clone Manuals.

Rose, You are welcome. I was glad to help.
For anyone that is looking for a manual for a Clone, Here are two good ones, and are free.

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

http://bypatrice.com/sewing/deluxe_manual/

~G~