'White' Family Rotary cleaning help needed, please
#1
'White' Family Rotary cleaning help needed, please
Hello all,
The finds that FreeCycle can yield!
I have acquired a lovely 1913 White Family Rotary machine in a beautiful cabinet;attachments, bobbins, everything is there.The 'giver' was a wonderful person who posted this machine on FreeCycle a few months ago. She received so many calls in such a short time that she just didn't feel right about letting the machine go. It belonged to her great-grandmother. When I get her bath done I'll post photos and a bit of her history. But for now...
These girls are very different from the Singers, which I feel totally comfortable pushing up my sleeves, opening them up and going in. But the face plate on this White has lots of stuff connected to it. I don't want to open up a Pandora's Box. For now, I have cleaned as much of the presser foot and needle bars that I safely can. I have tried searching for information on how to clean the inside of antique White Family Rotary machine. Either I was way to tired last night or my search skills have gone in the tank. Is anyone familiar with these machines and where information about when I take off the face plate to clean inside.
Oh, one of the drawers is locked and I don't see the key. Any ideas how to free the drawer?
Many thanks,
best,
d
The finds that FreeCycle can yield!
I have acquired a lovely 1913 White Family Rotary machine in a beautiful cabinet;attachments, bobbins, everything is there.The 'giver' was a wonderful person who posted this machine on FreeCycle a few months ago. She received so many calls in such a short time that she just didn't feel right about letting the machine go. It belonged to her great-grandmother. When I get her bath done I'll post photos and a bit of her history. But for now...
These girls are very different from the Singers, which I feel totally comfortable pushing up my sleeves, opening them up and going in. But the face plate on this White has lots of stuff connected to it. I don't want to open up a Pandora's Box. For now, I have cleaned as much of the presser foot and needle bars that I safely can. I have tried searching for information on how to clean the inside of antique White Family Rotary machine. Either I was way to tired last night or my search skills have gone in the tank. Is anyone familiar with these machines and where information about when I take off the face plate to clean inside.
Oh, one of the drawers is locked and I don't see the key. Any ideas how to free the drawer?
Many thanks,
best,
d
#2
If she moves, don't pull that faceplate! I did on a rusty one I had there were problems getting it back together. I finally did, but it was a BEAR! (Well...I didn't, but the spousal unit turned the air blue in his efforts!! He also threatened me if I ever did that again with a machine like this!) Treadleon has a large "White" following...maybe ask there? (I didn't....just tore in like I knew what I was doing...but didn't!)
As for the locked drawer? Use a small screwdriver. Most treadles take either a triangular or square key to open.
As for the locked drawer? Use a small screwdriver. Most treadles take either a triangular or square key to open.
#3
I actually thought my Whites were easier to get at all the stuff in the "head" part than the Singers. The "head" came off with a couple of screws. There are pictures on Treadle On. I didn't remove anything from the head itself except the tensioner, the small caps on the top covering the needle and presser bars, and the small thread guide on top when I cleaned mine. I took off the small parts like the spool holder to clean separately. Everything else stayed on, including the hand wheel--those weren't really made to come off. I had one that was in pretty poor shape, so I did go through a whole kerosene soak, scrubbing the parts that I could reach. The kerosene looked like motor oil when I was done. This may not be necessary if your machine hasn't been kept in terrible conditions for 80 years!
As a word of caution, I have found that the finish on the machine was a lot more fragile than that of my Singers, so be careful of the decals.
As a word of caution, I have found that the finish on the machine was a lot more fragile than that of my Singers, so be careful of the decals.
#4
Thanks ladies. I did hop over to Treadle On and read his musings on the topic. Didn't sound terribly problematic once you know the secret - getting the arm at 1:00. Either way, I have cleaned the presser foot and needle bar as best I can. The machine moves freely and smoothly at this point, so the dog continues to nap :-)
The needle appears cemented in there once that comes out, it will be a matter of putting her back into her dorm, putting on her belt, learning to thread her and we're off.
best,
d
The needle appears cemented in there once that comes out, it will be a matter of putting her back into her dorm, putting on her belt, learning to thread her and we're off.
best,
d
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: northern California
Posts: 104
If she moves, don't pull that faceplate! I did on a rusty one I had there were problems getting it back together. I finally did, but it was a BEAR! (Well...I didn't, but the spousal unit turned the air blue in his efforts!! He also threatened me if I ever did that again with a machine like this!) Treadleon has a large "White" following...maybe ask there? (I didn't....just tore in like I knew what I was doing...but didn't!)
As for the locked drawer? Use a small screwdriver. Most treadles take either a triangular or square key to open.
As for the locked drawer? Use a small screwdriver. Most treadles take either a triangular or square key to open.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Cawood Girl
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
18
08-19-2020 11:41 AM
Dollyo
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
9
02-19-2019 09:50 AM
Bennett
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
21
06-10-2017 07:55 PM
lakekids
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
0
07-03-2012 08:41 AM