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Frozen 201 Singer sewing machine?
I am in the process of breathing new life into a 1951 Singer 201 that sat unused for 30+ years. I'm slathering oil on it and waiting a day or two before oiling again. ALL the moving parts jiggle slightly and I mean all of the parts move ever so slightly. My question is, is it possible that the potted motor is what is keeping it from moving? I'm wondering what it could be keeping it from moving fully. Thank you in advance for any advice you can share! (Now back to the oil bottle...)
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Yes, the potted motors can be the cause of a lock-up. Usually it's old hard compacted grease that has set around the worm gear :thumbup: Most potted motor need a full service/rewire ;)
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Originally Posted by Hooligan
(Post 8521124)
Yes, the potted motors can be the cause of a lock-up. Usually it's old hard compacted grease that has set around the worm gear :thumbup: Most potted motor need a full service/rewire ;)
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I've not had the "pleasure" of working on a 201 that is locked up, but did free up a 401 a couple of years ago. I used kerosene (unscented lamp oil from Walmart) and 90% alcohol to free it up. It was obvious that it was dried up oil, though. I would stay away from the alcohol with a black machine. I used strips of old t-shirts, twine, cotton balls, q-tips and anything I could find to clean away the gunk in any place that moved. I soaked up my excess kerosene with paper towels under the joint. I used forceps to get into the places I couldn't reach. All and all, it took 3 or 4 cleanings before everything freed up. Then, I started with oil.
Good luck. bkay edit: I have a gorgeous 15-91 that is locked up to do soon. It looks like it's never been used. |
Thank you bkay! I'm going to keep at it. It is definitely worth the time to get these machines working again!
Originally Posted by bkay
(Post 8521141)
I've not had the "pleasure" of working on a 201 that is locked up, but did free up a 401 a couple of years ago. I used kerosene (unscented lamp oil from Walmart) and 90% alcohol to free it up. It was obvious that it was dried up oil, though. I would stay away from the alcohol with a black machine, though. I used strips of old t-shirts, twine, cotton balls, q-tips and anything I could find to clean away the gunk in any place that moved. I soaked up my excess kerosene with paper towels under the joint. I used forceps to get into the places I couldn't reach. All and all, it took 3 or 4 cleanings before everything freed up. Then, I started with oil.
Good luck. bkay edit: I have a gorgeous 15-91 that is locked up to do soon. It looks like it's never been used. |
Originally Posted by Christine-
(Post 8521138)
Thank you for the reply Hooligan. There isn't much compacted grease on the worm gear but there is some there. I was able to chip it away, leaving just what was stuck where the worm gears meet. I may need to find someone in my area who works on these beauties.
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It takes a lot of torque to get those potted motors, off. Be sure you have a screwdriver that fits. or a ratchet with a screwdriver bit.
For those of you who haven't seen them, This is how the motor looks. Gears were camera shy. picture in nest post |
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Thank you Leon, that is my next step. I was hoping it would be the gears, something easily cleaned but alas... it's the next on my list to get to. What has me stumped is the machine does move slightly. All the parts jiggle in place.
Originally Posted by leonf
(Post 8521183)
It takes a lot of torque to get those potted motors, off. Be sure you have a screwdriver that fits. or a ratchet with a screwdriver bit.
For those of you who haven't seen them, This is how the motor looks. Gears were camera shy. picture in nest post |
Originally Posted by Christine-
(Post 8521199)
What has me stumped is the machine does move slightly. All the parts jiggle in place.
ps: i suspect hardened grease :thumbup: |
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