Redeye that won't budge
 

I bought the locked up Redeye 2 weeks ago, I've gotten everything to come lose by getting the rust out/off and oiling like heck. The only thing that doesn't move is the needle bar to sew (which this part is INSIDE the head of the machine)!! When I turn the wheel it won't move. I've taken everything else apart to clean & oil per Muv's instruction video, BTW, thanks so much Muv!

How do I get the guts out/exposed so I can get to it to break loose? I know that's all it needs, cause the foot lever wouldn't move either and I oiled & cleaned and kept oiling. Finally I pushed really hard on the top of it and it popped loose. Any HELP will be welcomed...:(

Janie,

When you remove the face plate on the left end of a 66 you expose everything that moves as far as the needle bar and presser foot. It will look like this, more or less. (This is a 99, but they are almost identical.)
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...footpieces.jpg
The main shaft is oil-able via oil holes all across the top.
You can access the connecting rods through the big inspection hole under the big round plate on the back of the pillar.
That is about all you can open up on a 66.

Flood the parts in the left end with oil and or Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil, let it soak and wiggle it every so often.

Also flood the bobbin parts too. If they are jammed up it will mess up everything else.

Joe

TX, Joe. I'll open it up again and load it up with oil. I used WD-40 and sewing machine oil. I'll do the same on the bobbin area. This makes me sick. Rust is a really BAD thing I guess. I "thought" that if I just cleaned it real good and oiled it would start to move. I also oiled all the holes along the top and thru the back hole. I cleaned a 127 up that works great using Muv's video.

If I can't get it to move, I'm stuck with a pretty machine, but useless, huh? I started to order a treadle belt for it, but won't until things improve.

I love reading all your comments, cause you know so much about all these things. :)

Janie,

Skip the WD-40 it doesn't really do that much good for rusted up parts. That's why I suggested the penetrating oil. I had a 99 that was rusted up very badly and it took me almost a month of soaking and coaxing to get it freed up. It's sewing now. You can do it, just have patience. Sometimes it takes time for the oils to soak into the cracks and crevices. You might also try heat from a hair dryer, sometimes the heat along with the oils helps free up rusted parts.

Joe

I brush all those parts with kerosene. Let it stand a bit, than try to move the wheel, even just a little bit. Then brush it again with the kerosene. Let it stand a while, then repeat. Worked on the most stubborn of the machines that I restored. Just have patience and work in a ventilated area. Remember, kerosene is flammable! After you get it freed up, you can oil it with sewing machine oil. Pretty machine!

Don't forget, Liquid Wrench will destroy the outside finish.

my lotus treadle was completely froze up when I got it...according to Billy, I used kerosene and kept wiggling the wheel til it broke loose...is yours a treadle? take the plate off like next post and you should be able to see where it is hanging up

OK guys & gals, I'm going to get some kerosene and try it first, then go to Liquid Wrench or TriFlow oil.

Linda R, it is a treadle & I don't see the next post you mentioned. But, I started the other day with the face plate off as well as the round cover plate in the back & oiling & brushing with a toothbrush to no avail. I have another treadle and looked at it and where parts should be moving ( the big joint of the connecting rod inside the round back plate, the bars under the bed, bobbin area, and nothing moves.

Thanks for the encouragement! Will keep at it.

Is it not moving because it is rusted or because of dried up oil? If it is rust you need to paint on some evap-o-rust if it is dried on oil the Triflow will do the job - be patient - I've seen it work instantly and I've see it take a week or two.

I agree with Miriam! If you do go with kerosene, make sure not to get it on the exterior of the machine! It will eat decals!