here's a nice blog about the guys quest in cleaning/restoring a 1926 99K.

PART 1
PART 2
PART 3

A long drawn out description. Argh! Why is something fairly simple made to look arduous and complicated. The blind leading the blind. 2 cents worth.

Jon

Thanks! I have one of these to clean up after the new year so this'll be helpful!

I'd be much more inclined to follow cleaning instructions on the QB stickies and tutorials. Anyone can buy a 99 and write a blog how it should be restored. These instructions are in my opinion dangerous for new vintage SM repairers. I've been wrong before though

Jon

I don't see the need to disassemble for cleaning, as much as this blogger. It's amazing how well triflow and a tooth brooth can clean and lubricate the insides of a machine. Or a kerosene soak. To each his/her own I guess.

Each to his own is right.

I just picked up a Singer 99K made in the UK in 1956. Lots of rust in its innards. No stitch plate. A sock tied around its arm, doubling as decoration and a pin cushion. Otherwise it is pretty good.

I have never played with rusty innards before. After the missing plate arrives (find and order after the new year), the current plan is to see how it sews and go from there.

Any words of wisdom? Thanks.

Pat

I am wondering, why are the seasoned pros here disparaging about that blog? Can you tell me/us what he does that is to be avoided?

I personally like the taking apart stuff! It is so neat to see how it all goes together and works. Much of it, if you are a bit mechanically inclined, is really incredibly fun and instructive as well, as to how the machine works. I found that the rolling part which is on the round plate-like bit, which guides the needle bar, was really gunked up on my 128 and needed to be taken apart and cleaned in order to rotate freely again. So much gunk just did not come out until the parts were removed. And now, WOW, the mechanics work so beautifully!

I admire the guy for taking it apart to the degree he did, and it is great to read of people's forays. That said, since a number of you were not keen on his blog, I would much appreciate if you could tell me (us beginners!) why, or if there are any particularly egregious things that he did in his process that we should avoid?

Thanks!

Like what I posted above. It's usually not necessary to disassemble a machine fully. A general cleaning with the correct tools, lube and degunking is typically all a machine needs about 90% of the time. Showing newbies that you need to take a machine completely apart to clean it, is not something I'd do or recommend. In fact, I would bet many newbies who follow the directions on this blog will end up with a non-working and out of time machine.

"Take my advice at your own risk" would sum this up. This rubbed me the wrong way when I first read but am feeling better now that my belly is full. Happy Hollidays to all.

Jon