99 in blonde
#12
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Sacramento County, CA
Posts: 302
The upper tension had been re-assembled incorrectly, but worked fine once that was straightened out. The lower tension needed a little tweaking too; I like to get the tension as loose as possible and still have the stitches neat, so multiple rows of stitching are less likely to stiffen my project.
#13
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 673
Last edited by Manalto; 11-22-2015 at 11:01 AM.
#15
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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And I know the perfect person to give her to. He's sitting in my chair right now! Actually, I'd be thrilled if I could find more people around here who were interested in good vintage machines; I'd definitely thin the herd.
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
I love 99's. I think they're adorable, like a puppy version of the 66. (And who doesn't love puppies?) I have two 99K's from the mid-50's and I also have a 185J, but can't remember age on that one. They all are great stitchers.
I have to confess I don't use them very often, though. I'm always sewing on my "newest" machine in the herd, which lately I've been into zigzaggers, I have a Universal I'm toying around with and still buffing up "Betty" the White.
It's interesting comparing my two 99's - they're only a couple years apart in age but they run pretty differently. One I bought at a thrift shop and it looks like it just came from the show room - doesn't look like it was used at all. The other was abandoned in a garage and given to me for free; wiring was shot, lamp was gone, and she's definitely seen a lot of use. I bolted on a different motor that had good wiring (and the lamp intact) and that 99 runs so much smoother than the "new" one. Neither runs poorly, but the one that's been used runs smoother - with the belt off that thing will glide for a LONG time; the newer one glides for a bit but stops sooner, even with fresh oil on both.
I think that's neat because it so clearly illustrates the difference between a broken in machine and one that's still "new".
I have to confess I don't use them very often, though. I'm always sewing on my "newest" machine in the herd, which lately I've been into zigzaggers, I have a Universal I'm toying around with and still buffing up "Betty" the White.
It's interesting comparing my two 99's - they're only a couple years apart in age but they run pretty differently. One I bought at a thrift shop and it looks like it just came from the show room - doesn't look like it was used at all. The other was abandoned in a garage and given to me for free; wiring was shot, lamp was gone, and she's definitely seen a lot of use. I bolted on a different motor that had good wiring (and the lamp intact) and that 99 runs so much smoother than the "new" one. Neither runs poorly, but the one that's been used runs smoother - with the belt off that thing will glide for a LONG time; the newer one glides for a bit but stops sooner, even with fresh oil on both.
I think that's neat because it so clearly illustrates the difference between a broken in machine and one that's still "new".
#18
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 673
I agree. Some of my best machines are the ones that have been dinged up a bit from use. (An added benefit is that you don't have to worry about blemishing a pristine vintage machine, if that's your inclination.) Another possibility is that the stiffer 99 could use a flushing out to remove old oil residue that's turned to varnish causing drag on the mechanism. I use kerosene for the job because it's cheap and effective. (I try not to use it inside, but the odor dissipates pretty quickly after clean up.) I only mention this because I've had near-miraculous results with this method on machines that seemed OK but were transformed into Swiss timepieces.
185s were made between the halcyon years of 1958 and 1963. Your J is Canadian made.
Straight-stitchers are soothing to use. I swear they've saved me a fortune in psychiatrist bills.
185s were made between the halcyon years of 1958 and 1963. Your J is Canadian made.
Straight-stitchers are soothing to use. I swear they've saved me a fortune in psychiatrist bills.
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