quilting mary

Bought this featherweight today. How do I know for sure the date of the machine. The gentleman I bought it from assured me it was. 1935. Also the case it came in smells very musty, what is the best way to clean and get ride of the smell?

DKuehn

Take the serial number and check it on this website.

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...-database.html

From what I've read a lot of those cases are stinky. I have no idea on ways to fix that.

Also, I'm not sure why the forum turns some pictures upside down, I've seen that happen a few times.

Cari-in-Oly

One of the first changes that were made to the featherweights was to move the bobbin winding tension disc from the front of the machine and put it on the bed so yours just might be that old.

Cari

Sandra in Minnesota

I keep an open bar of Zest soap in my FW case. That smell is very common.

Mariposa

Congrats on your "new" machine!

sewbeadit

I think it is an older machine because of the tension itself, I don't know a thing about what Cari said.lol The way I understand it the cases smell so badly is because back then they used animal glue to put them together so when they got a bit dampish they would really stink. I have seen different things and ideas on how to get it out, I think on here, you may want to do a search and see what you find. I know putting it out in the sun sometimes helps and also fabreeze will sometimes help.

annf

The felt in the bottom of the machine is often funky too. I vacuummed the bottom and the case, and put in scented dryer sheets... My machine also had signs of insects in the felt compartment so I was happy I vacuumed it quickly.

But it still stunk a bit until I gently cleaned my machine with a sewing machine oil and a soft cloth.

Debbie C

Setting dryer sheets do help...or perhaps sprinkling some baking soda, let it stay for a day or two, then vacuum out. Nice machine.

Sewnoma

You can try the charcoal "odor eater" type shoe inserts too, that might help with the funky smell in the case.

The serial number is stamped into the base of the machine - once you have that you can look it up here to get your machine's age: http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...-database.html

The dates listed are the dates that those serial numbers were released, so it won't be an exact manufacture date, but close enough.

Congratulations on your new machine!

margaret53

My husband bought me a rechargeable desiccant that he uses in a gun safe. It came from the sporting goods store. I cleaned the case, left it in the sun, and now store it with the desiccant container. It helps. The container absorbs moisture and is recharged in the oven.