Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main > For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
The cleaning of a 1948 featherweight >

The cleaning of a 1948 featherweight

The cleaning of a 1948 featherweight

Thread Tools
 
Old 01-03-2012, 03:25 AM
  #21  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MS
Posts: 2,624
Default

Originally Posted by miriam View Post
how the groove thing goes
[ATTACH=CONFIG]299952[/ATTACH]
s
Miriam, your pic of the bobbin case base is great. It makes the screw on the left that removes the "gib" look a normal size. There is a piece of thread stuck in that area on my FW and the screw is soooooo tiny! I have several different screwdrivers that fit the slot (from my glasses kits) but I can't get that screw to budge!! I'm so frustrated...the only thing affected is the groves in my hands from the screwdriver. I have spraye
d it with Liquid Wrench, tried to turn it, sprayed it again and tried again many times. Don't want to strip the screw. Any suggestions? I don't have a "strong male" in my household to use his strength.

I've posted under the VSMS thread that both my FWs were being naughty girls!!!

Thanks for any help! Carolyn
Nanamoms is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 05:00 AM
  #22  
Power Poster
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
Default

I don't have a pic of her in her wedding dress. I'm not sure she does. She had pics in a closet one time and there was a moisture problem and most got ruined. Those old parachutes were made from white silk. I cried when she cut it up to line a coat - my sisters and I weren't too happy with her. My sister's husband was stationed in Hong Kong and bought his mom 5 yards of white silk brocade and gave it to her. The future MIL gave my sister the silk and my mom used every inch and made her wedding dress out of it. Funny - that FW is still alive.... never serviced... shaking my head.
miriam is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 05:09 AM
  #23  
Power Poster
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
Default

Originally Posted by Nanamoms View Post
s
Miriam, your pic of the bobbin case base is great. It makes the screw on the left that removes the "gib" look a normal size. There is a piece of thread stuck in that area on my FW and the screw is soooooo tiny! I have several different screwdrivers that fit the slot (from my glasses kits) but I can't get that screw to budge!! I'm so frustrated...the only thing affected is the groves in my hands from the screwdriver. I have spraye
d it with Liquid Wrench, tried to turn it, sprayed it again and tried again many times. Don't want to strip the screw. Any suggestions? I don't have a "strong male" in my household to use his strength.
I would go walking in to a place that sells quality tools with that machine hanging on my arm. I don't think they will think you stole it... Ask them to sell you a screw driver that will fit that slot - It has to be a very thin and narrow blade - I have a long one that would do it. It is one of my prized possessions - I freak out when I can't find it - and I do misplace it all the time. I need it attached to my wrist or something. Pad the machine, then turn that thing on it's end in your lap and press down as you turn - the tool guy might even help you. (wink) Go easy on liquid wrench - it eats paint you know. Don't lose the screw - it's not very big.
miriam is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 07:29 AM
  #24  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 3,992
Default

Love this thread Miriam. Lots of good information for us all. Is the FW getting a name?
Caroline S is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 07:56 AM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
wichypoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 389
Default

WOW, I really need to read and re-read this, I received a FW from my Husband for Chiristmas. I just don't know where I should start,,,,,,maybe a professional machine cleaning..... thanks for the photos and info.
wichypoo is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 08:08 AM
  #26  
Super Member
 
Rann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Valdosta GA
Posts: 1,876
Default

You could also try PB Blaster on it. To me it works better than Liquid Wrench.

Originally Posted by Nanamoms View Post
s
Miriam, your pic of the bobbin case base is great. It makes the screw on the left that removes the "gib" look a normal size. There is a piece of thread stuck in that area on my FW and the screw is soooooo tiny! I have several different screwdrivers that fit the slot (from my glasses kits) but I can't get that screw to budge!! I'm so frustrated...the only thing affected is the groves in my hands from the screwdriver. I have spraye
d it with Liquid Wrench, tried to turn it, sprayed it again and tried again many times. Don't want to strip the screw. Any suggestions? I don't have a "strong male" in my household to use his strength.

I've posted under the VSMS thread that both my FWs were being naughty girls!!!

Thanks for any help! Carolyn
Rann is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 08:13 AM
  #27  
Power Poster
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
Default

There are a lot of things you can squirt or dab on but you want to be careful not to take the paint off the machine.
miriam is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 08:43 AM
  #28  
Super Member
 
quilt addict's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,743
Default

Miriam, thank you for sharing the great story and pictures of your Mom's FW. You and sis did a great job. I am sure your mother really appreciates it.

Caroline, Have you tried a little heat with a hair dryer? Also, you may want to a gentle try a tap with a hammer on the screwdriver while you have it in the slot of the screw.
quilt addict is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 08:48 AM
  #29  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,194
Default

Thanks for posting this. My featherweight is okay, I think, but am going to learn to take care of it myself. At least that is my goal!!
Stitchnripper is offline  
Old 01-03-2012, 09:26 AM
  #30  
Member
 
Linkbeth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SWFL
Posts: 99
Default

Miriam, thanks for the wonderful pictorial and story as well. I relate to certain parts as my Mom sewed on a small 'toy' Singer..I know it sounds unbelievable..but my 2 older sisters confirm all that she made on it..I amazes me the indomitable spirit of the females of that era to overcome the challenges time..Thanks for the sharing...liz

[QUOTE=miriam;4836496] I'll try to unfold this story as I go along. Perhaps my sister will chime in along the way.
For Christmas my sister and I cleaned up Mom's FW.
QUOTE]
Linkbeth is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
himnherr
Main
3
01-26-2014 07:04 PM
miriam
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
5
01-05-2012 02:48 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



FREE Quilting Newsletter