Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main > For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell >

Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Thread Tools
 
Old 07-16-2011, 05:54 PM
  #19831  
Power Poster
 
sewbizgirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 26,010
Default

Hi Everybody,

Today I dug into a 15-91 that I bought a while ago, trying to get it refurbished and ready to sew. It was already quite loose but I still cleaned everything with WRENCH and then re-oiled, and changed the old motor grease for some vaseline. Upon returning it to it's little table, I noticed that the foot pedal is missing it's button... argh. Something I didn't even see when I bought the machine. I could use a cord and pedal from another of my machines, but this cord is threaded through a dime-sized hole in the cabinet, and I have no idea how it was put in or could be taken out. One one end is the wall plug-- too big to go through that hole. On the other end is the plug-in to the machine motor-- even bigger! What do you have to do to change out the cord and pedal? Cut it? There is no other way... The cabinet is the type that you can hang the foot pedal in if you want to, and use a knee bar for control against the foot pedal.

Also, while I was cleaning the head I looked closer at the wires. I had thought they were ok, but today I noticed some of the plastic covering was chipping off. If you see any bare wiring at all you are supposed to replace it, right? Sigh. Looks like this one is going to cost more money.

Any ideas on how that pedal cord can be changed in the cabinet?

Thanks a bunch!
sewbizgirl is online now  
Old 07-16-2011, 05:55 PM
  #19832  
Senior Member
 
AbbyQuilts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Monroeville, PA
Posts: 547
Default

Originally Posted by Lori Peercy
Originally Posted by miriam
Originally Posted by Lori Peercy
Can anyone tell me how old this machine is?
I have it's cousin - it's a Commander by Sears. Works good. I thought it was from the 1940's but I think mine is really from the 1950s.
Is there somewhere to find out the year like you can with Singer?

As far as I know there is no central dating for the Japanese 15
Billy I think has some dates but I dont know.
I think yours is form the 40's-50's
The singer 15 (and the clones) was such a good machine that they made them for many years and didnt change much.
AbbyQuilts is offline  
Old 07-16-2011, 06:02 PM
  #19833  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 192
Default

miriam

I had one do the same thing, not a 241. Found out that the point of the hook had a slight burr on it, you could only feel it with you finger nail as you move you finger from the back toward the point. When it hung up, it would pull the top thread real fast and make a rats nest in the bobbin area. I took some wore out 400 grit emery paper and removed the burr and it works good now. One thing that will indicate a burr is marks on the foot needle hole like a bent needle may have hit the hook. Here's is a link for a service manual.

http://parts.singerco.com/IPinstManuals/241.pdf
lee231 is offline  
Old 07-16-2011, 06:17 PM
  #19834  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 192
Default

Miriam

What type of machine has the shuttle problem? Rotary or vibrating shuttle?
lee231 is offline  
Old 07-16-2011, 06:45 PM
  #19835  
Super Member
 
Charlee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 6,442
Default

A direct link to the pdf file for the 185:
http://www.singerco.com/uploads/down...185jkfinal.pdf

Miz Johnny, thank you! Now if I can get the handcrank off this puppy I'll be happy! It's pretty "stuck" on there... maybe I'll just pull the needle everytime I want to wind the bobbin!! :lol:

Check out this pretty wood case...it's original!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]227559[/ATTACH]

I think I'm in love!!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]227560[/ATTACH]
Attached Thumbnails attachment-227553.jpe   attachment-227554.jpe  
Charlee is offline  
Old 07-16-2011, 07:16 PM
  #19836  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 1,601
Default

You have to look at this wonderful eye candy that was posted on Treadleon.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...07077835EjdpGN
tomilu is offline  
Old 07-16-2011, 07:20 PM
  #19837  
Super Member
 
Miz Johnny's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 1,222
Default

Wow--that's a beautiful case!
Originally Posted by Charlee
Miz Johnny, thank you! Now if I can get the handcrank off this puppy I'll be happy! It's pretty "stuck" on there... maybe I'll just pull the needle everytime I want to wind the bobbin!! :lol:
Miz Johnny is offline  
Old 07-16-2011, 07:22 PM
  #19838  
Super Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
Default

Miz Johnny,
That's good to know! Thank you.
Sharon W.
purplefiend is offline  
Old 07-16-2011, 07:23 PM
  #19839  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Albuquerque NM
Posts: 674
Default

Found this video which shows the Singer factory in Scotland. I love how they show the decals being applied to a machine. Wish it was longer though!

http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=1592
Phyllis nm is offline  
Old 07-16-2011, 07:24 PM
  #19840  
Super Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
Default

Originally Posted by newborn
Got this Singer Model 15-90 (I think) for $25.00. Serial #AH003406 from 1947. Nice cabinet with even a knee motor control attached. Came with a bunch of attachments but no manual. Anyone has information on this machine I'd apprecitate it. Will post pics.
Its a wonderful machine! I have one just like yours, only not quite as shiny. I preformed a motorectomy and it treadles quite nicely. I like doing free motion quilting with it and piecing quilts.
Sharon W.
purplefiend is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



FREE Quilting Newsletter