CindyA

I was just cleaning/oiling/lubricating my Featherweight. I use this machine almost exclusively for my piecing. I know nothing about wiring. This machine runs great, I'm not having any problems with it.

See the 'wire' on the right side? The thicker white one? That's white flaking stuff on it. What should it look like and is the flaky stuff ok to just leave it? Also, the black, smaller cords to the right of it feel dry/brittle, but like I said, I don't notice any problems at all while using this machine.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]450334[/ATTACH]

Sorry for the large picture. I know someone commented they still have dial up and it takes too long to load. Don't know how to make the picture smaller, not sure you could see it well enough if I did, anyway.

Thanks for any comments on this wiring. I've never had to have any wiring work done.

J Miller

Cindy,

That large white wire isn't a wire, but a lead sheath covering some of the wires to protect them from the gears and oil.
The white stuff on it is lead oxide, a form of corrosion. Refrain from touching it, and if you do wash your hands as when ingested it can be toxic.
The smaller wires feel hard and brittle because they are cloth wrapped wire and as they age they do get hard. Don't touch them either.

There's really nothing that needs touched under there. Were that machine mine I'd use an aerosol electronic cleaner and hose the oil off of the wiring. Other than that it's best to just leave it alone if there's no broken insulation or bare wires.

As for the huge pics and dial up, I'm one of those that has trouble. With threads like this where there is just one pic, my computer will open it. But on threads where there are multiple pics, no way.

So, I really wouldn't worry about the wiring on that machine.

Joe

tenngal

Joe, thanks for this information - I had wondered the very same thing and worried about it.

CindyA

Yes, thanks for the information, Joe. I'm glad you told me not to touch it, I wouldn't have guessed it was toxic. I'm just going to leave it alone.