Lizz1

Gday all, I'm collecting this beauty tomorrow morning. Its in very good condition, originally a treadle but seller selling just the machine top as the treadle base has been destroyed. I'm thinking of converting it into a handcrank. Love to hear from folks here if that is doable? Never owned a Werthiem before, so like to hear input/comments from those who own one. Cheers

Barb in Louisiana

I don't know a thing about converting, but I do want to say that she is a beautiful gal.

OurWorkbench

Very nice machine. There were some Werthiem machines with hand cranks. I don't know how they were attached. I'm guessing that it would be extremely difficult to find a hand crank that will work for your machine. I know Singers had a motor boss on later machines that would be used for attaching a motor or a hand crank. I don't see one on yours. I'm also thinking that the distance from the pillar to the workings of a replacement hand crank would be different from what would be available today as I think the modern hand crank would be too short to work with your machine. I tried putting a hand crank up to a couple of German machines I have and even if i could figure out how to attach it, it would not work as it would not go far enough beyond the hand wheel to all the wheel to turn. Your mileage may vary.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Lizz1

Thanks Barb Do you own a Werthiem? I've never owned a Werthiem and trying to find information of this machine

Lizz1

Thanks Janey for your response. I'm trying to find info on this machine, like what year it's made and what is the significance of the large 'K' decal at the back. Could you point me in the direction of where to find such information please? Thanks much

Mickey2

Your model came in a version with hand crank, but it would be a challenge to find one. If you do it is probably attached to another Wertheim Machine. I found a little info on it, here is a link to the Sewalot home page. Here is a blog post on the subject. With a bit of search you will find model number, and perhaps various other names it was sold as. As late as 1930 I'm guessing all models came with option for motor and bracket for mounting.

Here is a picture randomly roaming the web, from a now deleted sales add.

Mickey2

I have to add your machine looks very nice, the decals are beautiful. It will hopefully polish up nicely. Be gentle on decals, and extra thorough with the shiny metal part guiding the thread on the winder, it needs to be shiny and smooth to work properly. A bit of wear to the chrome should be fine, but any bump or roughness will interfere.

Lizz1

Thanks Mickey2. I've cleaned her up with lots of SMO, but i think she was left out in the sun for years (seller just dumped it in the backyard in the open sun for years) and if you touch any of the surface, the shellac will cling to your hands (almost ready to peel off). I bought a tub of meguirs carnauba wax and am thinking of polishing it with wax to protect the surface from peeling further. I'm not brave enough (yet) to try french polishing her cos she's a beauty except for some silvering on the edges of decals. love to hear your thoughts if polishing it with wax would damage the surface? I'm really new in this, but game to give it a go...thanks again for your time. Cheers

Mickey2

I am afraid any polishing will easily damage decals, they are delicate and only protected by layers of shellac. It is a tricky job you have in front of you. I don't know if anyone has taken on a machine like your and done a restoration. I guess you could take the time consuming job it it to pick of flaking shellac then spray something on. Shellac in spray cans are more expensive than the flakes, but for a single machine it is within acceptable. From the pictures it looks really nice. Decals are like water transfere or slide decals, very thin and can't take any abrasive rubbing or even light polishing. You have to trust your self and feel your way, maybe handeling the surface with something like a cotton swab rather than a cloth. Once a layer of shellac is on, it is more durable.

Lizz1

Hello Mickey2, thanks very much for your comments. I'm not going to rush, right now, I'm just fumbling my way around, but got my hands on an old "VALLEY" machine, have cleaned her up, just trying to get a shopping list before i go to the shops to grab the items needed. Will use her as my 'guinea pig' to test french polishing.
Have attached images of the machines, it was in a very very sad state and i've cleaned her up multiple times. Do you recognise the machine or have an idea where that machine is from?
Thanks much