chris_quilts

Thnaks. Still don't wanna visit the padded room with the jacket that lets you hug yourself all day long!

chris_quilts

First off, it only counts as one machine and thanks for liking the saying. It was just spur of the moment.

irishrose

miriam, this MW is no wimp - it was made in Japan by Juki with a 1 amp motor just like a 15 has. My 1950s MW has 1.2 amp motor and while my precious Elna that had sewn through layers of belt leather and dozens of jean hems has only .75 amps. The Wards machine will sew jeans, I'm sure.

My daughter has first refusal on it for my grandson who sews, but it's a lot of machine for a 9 year old. I can see him with the 128.

BoJangles

Ok Cathy, now you've got me worried! My 31-15 looks much older than my 31-20, and the serial number is completely worn off so I don't know its year, but I'm guessing 1910's to 1920's? My 31-20 is from 1925, but in much better shape than the 31-15. Now tell me about the bobbins? What is the difference? As you can tell, I haven't played with either yet!

Nancy

BoJangles

Cathy, when I looked up the needle size this is what I got. The 31-20 uses a 16x87 - the electric machine; but, the treadle uses a 16x73? I bought some 16x87's for my 31-20. Will that work on the 31-15 and are they right for the 31-20?

Nancy

SewExtremeSeams

What is recommended as the best brand or type of lubricate for the gears in my machines? I have the right type of oil for the oil spots but want to make sure I use the right stuff for the gears on my machines. My plan is to begin to clean up and lubricate all of my working vintage machines before beginning to get those who don't work... up and working.

Mom3

I use Tri-Flow grease for the gears and Tri-Flow oil for the rest.

Shari

miriam

I do too - I have enough machines around to make it worth the expense. Besides that stuff works great.

SewExtremeSeams

Thanks Mom3 and Miriam. Do you get Tri Flow Grease and Tri Flow Oil products through Sew-Classic?

Ok, I opened a can of new worms (for me) or should I say a new can of worms!?
I just oiled my FW. I have been sewing on this machine this past week but when I threaded it today, the tension discs seem to be holding on extra tight to the thread no matter what I adjusted it to. I tried moving the dial all the way to the left and right and pulled on the thread... nothing was loose enough for the thread to flow freely... too much tension. So, with my FW 221 book by Nancy Johnson-Sebro, I unscrewed the screw that held the entire tension assembly and laid the pieces out in order that I took them off. Nothing looks out of the ordinary... not dirty, nothing rusted, etc. Should I oil anything while I am in there? Do I need to do anything special when I put it back together? Nancy doesn’t offer much past how to disassemble and reassemble.

Yikes! I am glad I took it apart (it's my first time) because now it doesn't seem so scary and I am sure my other machines will need tension attention also. Thanks in advance. You are all so helpful. I learn so much here, often not even commenting. But, oh sew glad you are all here.

jljack

DAVIS alert!!!