Fixer upper Singer 500A
#1
Fixer upper Singer 500A
I saw a Craigslist ad for a vintage Singer for 10.00 showing a 500, and nearly ran to gas up the car. The seller mentioned they had lost the front piece for the tension and in the photo I thought maybe the top was missing something...but it was a difficult angle to tell for sure. I have been wanting this machine and don't see ads for them much so I went for it.
It was in sad shape when I got there. It needs cleaning and oiling to start and then we'll see what I can do with it. The top lid is missing, the pop up spool pins and other pin are missing. The molded cord is tearing apart at the molded point. The owner had it duct taped into the machine. (I wonder if I can glue the molded portion with something?) The faceplate needs a new pin. I might find more once I open it up.
I don't think the owner knew why it was running slow at all, but it is close to grinding to a halt so cleaning and oiling is the top priority. Here's my new project machine.
It was in sad shape when I got there. It needs cleaning and oiling to start and then we'll see what I can do with it. The top lid is missing, the pop up spool pins and other pin are missing. The molded cord is tearing apart at the molded point. The owner had it duct taped into the machine. (I wonder if I can glue the molded portion with something?) The faceplate needs a new pin. I might find more once I open it up.
I don't think the owner knew why it was running slow at all, but it is close to grinding to a halt so cleaning and oiling is the top priority. Here's my new project machine.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Christy,
You have a project machine for sure there. I did pretty much the same thing on one a year or so ago. Lots of cleaning, time, a bunch of parts and I've got a great sewing machine.
Here's the thread I did about mine. Maybe it will help a bit with yours.
{ http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t206634.html }
Joe
You have a project machine for sure there. I did pretty much the same thing on one a year or so ago. Lots of cleaning, time, a bunch of parts and I've got a great sewing machine.
Here's the thread I did about mine. Maybe it will help a bit with yours.
{ http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t206634.html }
Joe
#4
Christy,
You have a project machine for sure there. I did pretty much the same thing on one a year or so ago. Lots of cleaning, time, a bunch of parts and I've got a great sewing machine.
Here's the thread I did about mine. Maybe it will help a bit with yours.
{ http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t206634.html }
Joe
You have a project machine for sure there. I did pretty much the same thing on one a year or so ago. Lots of cleaning, time, a bunch of parts and I've got a great sewing machine.
Here's the thread I did about mine. Maybe it will help a bit with yours.
{ http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t206634.html }
Joe
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Wanabee Quiltin,
The 401s and 500s are not simple machines. I've found if you don't have a manual and don't use it to get the settings right they can be pains. But they are good machines none the less. It's us humans that cause most of the trouble.
Joe
The 401s and 500s are not simple machines. I've found if you don't have a manual and don't use it to get the settings right they can be pains. But they are good machines none the less. It's us humans that cause most of the trouble.
Joe
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 12-01-2014 at 03:06 AM. Reason: language
#7
The 500 is coming along but it's going to take some time to get it all together. I have the motor working well now and it's cleaned up. I took the foot controller apart yesterday and found the nuts and bolts had been taken out and put back in the wrong order so I corrected that and adjusted it. It's working much nicer now.
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