I too, am struggling with learning to repair and restore old machines. I particularly like the mid-century models. The folks here, the Victorian Sweatshop and the yahoo sewing machine groups have been very helpful.
My next challenge is restoration of the cabinets. I have a 401, 15-91 and 201-2 running smoothly. They are out of their cabinets, though. For them to be useful, I have to rehab the cabinets. I have several other machines that need rehab as well, but I can't keep ignoring the cabinets with the hope they will fix themselves.
Welcome.
bkay