tscweaves

The new belt came for my 15-88 along with a couple of other small things that I needed. Put everything on and started sewing. It was fairly noisy so I oiled everything again, rethreaded, and oh my goodness! What a smooth and quiet straight stitcher this beauty is.

When I first brought it home last weekend, I went over it pretty thoroughly, cleaned and oiled everything. I know that the machine was stored inside but not used in years. I guess that first oiling I did was not enough. I have read about model 15's making a bit of noise but this sweetie is just as quite as can be now that it has another drink.

I was a little concerned that while treadling, my knees were bumping into the bottom of the storage compartment. I knew there was a chain and hook in there so I took a closer look and sure enough there is a grommet in the bottom that the chain hooks in to lift it out of the way. A nice piece of engineering. This cabinet also has a spring lift so lifting the head is as easy as can be.

I am just happy, happy, happy! I had to share with other vintage enthusiasts.

Shorebird

How wonderful!!! Can you post a picture of her?

Mickey2

Congratulations with your new find :- )

You are correct in assuming the first round of oiling didn't reach every where. That's pretty much what you would expect from a very dry machine. They need to be oiled, have the mechanism turned and repated all over a few times; but actually it's often not until you have had it on a table a couple of days and keept up the maintanance and done a bit of test sewing it returns to it's former glory.

I know we rate these old machines from the smoothest running 201-2 and to the more noisier machines. I have a 201 a 99 and have fixed up a 66 in cabinet. They are all very nice running machines when everything is clean, oiled, and everything like rubber feet and feelt cushions are sorted out. When I stitch on my 201, I mostly hear the needle punch, and the metal bobbin clicking as the thread unwinds, but actully that's much the same with my 99, at least up to medium speed.

OurWorkbench

A picture of her beautiful 15-88 can be seen on this thread > Ohoh, another singer

It really is a nice looking machine. I'm glad that it is working well and you are have fun with 'her.'

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Mickey2

I remember that one very well, I didn't make the connection until you posted the link Janey

tscweaves

Here is a shot of it in action. I am hemming placemats that I finished weaving. I put a straight stitch walking foot on to keep all the stripes lined up and it is sewing well. I am surprised at how much I am enjoying sewing this way:-)

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Mickey2

Which type of walking foot do you use? I'm looking for a good one, maybe vintage if I can find one for straight stitch machines.

tscweaves

I bought mine from Sew Classic and I have used it on the 15-88, 99k, and 221. It is this one http://shop.sew-classic.com/Low-Shan...oRW-P60400.htm

Cari-in-Oly

Nice work with the 15-88, it looks great! That's the same walking foot I use on my 201-2 and my clones, I also bought it from Sew Classic. I have the one she sells for zig zag machines too. They may not be name brand but they work just fine and cost much less.

Cari

ChattyKathy

I love treadling my 15-90 that I de- electrified (is there such a word...ha ha)!!! She was originally an electric machine. I had a singer 66 treadle. I switched the 15-90 to the treadle base. And put the 66 into the 15-90 cabinet. Thus, essentially I now have a 15-88. I also love treadling her. She is my go to machine...always "on" and ready and never complaining. She looks exactly like your pic but with 6 drawers. I feel like I get a little bit of a workout treadling...burn a few calories while I sew.

Kathy
Near the WI-IL border