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

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10-26-2011, 12:59 PM

#26341

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlee

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwendt

Hey all my best VSMS buddies....

Now that I'm finally recovering from what turned out to be Pnuemonia, and can sort of think straight, for hours at a time <smile!>; I can jump back into the fray here.

I have an old tensioner question. I have an ancient, 1912 Singer 115/15 treadle head that I've cleaned up and put back together. My first treadle is almost ready to test drive!!! Whoo hoo! But I'm not sure if I have to replace the two tensioner disks or not.

This is the extremely basic, extremely plain tensioner. Has two disks, a washer thing, a spiral spring, a divided post and a thumb nut (and a funky wire/spring thingy for a thread guide/back tensioner that I cannot tell if it's bent out of shape or not.) That's it.

The two plated tension disks where the thread passes between are worn. They are discolored, but not rusted, pitted, burred or lined... just discolored on the highest part of the bevel curve of each disk. About the size of a lifesaver, 1/3" or so. Is this sort of thing indicative of 'worn out-needing to be replaced'? or is this just cosmetic, and it'll be fine?

(I have no other tensioner that's even CLOSE in age, wear or style. Can't compare. Pictures didn't come out.)
Help? Opinions? Jokes?

You should be fine with them as long as they aren't worn through and aren't catching/cutting your thread.

My 15 clone has that same tensioner, and the wire is really funky...seems to be too long, and catches the thread coming down from the takeup arm if I'm not careful. I still need to oil this machine more to get it moving smoother, but that wire is really annoying!! I tried bending it up out of the way some and that helped.

10-26-2011, 01:00 PM

#26342

kwendt

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Coastal Florida - Mountainous Maine

Posts: 949

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quilt Mom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennett

Question to those who would know, what is special about a Bell machine. Other than it looks interesting and very clean, I'm not sure why the price is (what I would consider) high? Is it a rare one?

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=8751380

That is intriguing! I have never seen one.

That Bell looks plastic...not sure why it's what it is. Curious. Now isn't there an all metal 'grasshopper' machine? Small too, I forget ... Elna maybe? That's a vintage.

But, did you see they had TWO White/Green Featherweights right off the bat? TWO! 'course the bids are both over $300 on each. There's a pristine Centennial black FW too, looks store new. And a 2nd black Centennial. Man. Yeah. lol...

10-26-2011, 01:02 PM

#26343

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennett

I was looking at that too, and since I have never seen one before, yep, I'll bet my dollar it's probably somewhat rare.

10-26-2011, 01:02 PM

#26344

Quilt Mom

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: Headed home

Posts: 2,372

Quote:

Originally Posted by jratti

Again the confusion is that it is electric with a foot pedal but it is on the iron type of treadle table top and it folds down into the table.

My guess is that this machine uses a shuttle rather than a round bobbin. And yes, she is old. She probably was treadled until someone added a motor to speed up the process. Looks like they took off parts of the treadle mechanism as well.

10-26-2011, 01:10 PM

#26345

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwendt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quilt Mom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennett

That is intriguing! I have never seen one.

Yes, the very first Elna was the "Grasshopper" Model 1, followed by the first green Supermatic. I researched them before I bought my Supermatic. Don't have it running yet.

10-26-2011, 01:11 PM

#26346

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

I'm excited to get home....my Davis arrived today. DH called me to say it was there, and that he opened the damaged box to be sure the machine was OK. Said he didn't see any damage, but I'll check it when I get home. I'll post pics tonite later...church at 7:00.

10-26-2011, 01:12 PM

#26347

QuiltnCowgirl

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Calif (San Joaquin Valley)

Posts: 3,482

Quote:

Originally Posted by jljack

Oh the anticipation!!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

10-26-2011, 01:12 PM

#26348

kwendt

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Coastal Florida - Mountainous Maine

Posts: 949

ALERT: Nice looking Singer 66-1 Red Head (Eye) with the SILVER badge at auction from the Rochester Goodwill. Backclamp, has reg foot. Bed is dusty or possibly clouded. But decals look pristine, little to no wear in the pictures. A FIND. If shipping weren't $54, I'd get it.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=8807154

Somebody please rescue this baby...