Tiggersmom

I purchased a used serger [Hobbylock 796 by Phaf] back in the early 1990's. {$1,000} for quilting because the quilting shows at that time were using sergers for piecing quilting. I know that was a ridiculous amount now that I think of it and have never gotten my monies worth of use out of it. {Live and learn}.

I've had it in for repairs several times and it has been sitting doing nothing for quite a few years.

Last night I decided to use it and it wouldn't budge, frozen almost solid. The motor was surely trying and I know a trip to the repair shop would be around $100. So I got BRAVE and took off the end and oiled the daylights out of it!! After a few minutes the old girl finely with me turning the end knob [sorry I don't know the technical name of the parts] decided to loosen up and a few hand cranks later she took off on her own with the pressure foot!

I might just have enough courage now to work on my two treadle machines that have been sitting for years here in the house that I rescued.

Question: the serger has some plastic parts that are turning a yellowish color...Can those be treated with something to keep them from getting any worse? or is that just the way plastic is???? TIA
Jennifer

Stitchnripper

Congrats on getting your serger up and running! Feels great, doesn't it? As a complete novice, I recently learned how to clean and oil and lube my vintage machines. And I even took a tension assembly off and fixed it. You will find so much help here in the Vintage Section. There is so much knowledge and a willingness to share. Looking forward to your journey.

Candace

The plastic is reacting to both air and sunlight. Many plastic machines and cases have yellowed over the years. It's a common complaint. My Janome 9000 case is really yellow. The machine is fine because it's stored in the case. There is a hydrogen peroxide mixture that is available to purchase or to make on your own. Computers have had the same issue. If you google Retrobright or yellowing plastic there are quite a few sites and recipes. I've never tried it, so I can't confirm that it works, but it sure looks like it does if you want to take the time to try it.

Tiggersmom

Thank you both for the information and the encouragement!

After 'working' on my featherweight it cost big bucks to get it fixed so I was a bit leery to doing anything but now I have a new confidence!

Lyncat

My Pfaff 788 is as yellow as can be! It runs like a champ, though.

GreyQ

You are brave, I can't imagine using a serger to piece a quilt.

ArchaicArcane

I did a small test with the retrobright solution using regular old peroxide that you can get in the pharmacy. There was definite lightening. I have stronger peroxide in the garage waiting for me to try again. I need sun. Warm sun for it. It won't be soon.

With your serger, I would strongly recommend taking off all the panels you can see and oiling again. Everywhere metal rubs on metal. This is what a serger looks like when I service one:
http://www.archaicarcane.com/a-littl...-machine-sick/

So, yes, save the $100, but go in as far as the shop would have. Make notes / take photos if you need to so you can get it back together right, but get all the spots that need to be oiled.

DonnaMiller

Gas heat can also cause yellowing. My Old Janome is yellow and my daughter's refrigerator handle t he same. They are beige now from gas heat. Imagine how our lungs must look.