My new Singer
06-13-2011, 05:50 AM
#21
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Middleport, NY (near Buffalo)
Posts: 87
Welcome to the 66 redeye club! I love mine! In case you need it (because I'm guessing for $5 <awesome price by the way!> it didn't come with it's manuals) I posted the instruciton and the timing and adjustment manuals for this machine on page five of this thread:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-129482-5.htm
Billy's tutorials are great for cleaning! It's easy to convert back to treadle if you want to- just take off the motor drop her in a cabinet and add a belt! Have fun with her!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-129482-5.htm
Billy's tutorials are great for cleaning! It's easy to convert back to treadle if you want to- just take off the motor drop her in a cabinet and add a belt! Have fun with her!
06-13-2011, 06:00 AM
#22
Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 6
I cleaned my cousin featherweight with tuffstuff that I purchased from an Auto store. I think Wal-Mart carries it as well. Did some looking on the internet and found the Tuffstuff recommendation The featherweight must have been owned by a smoker, because the of film that was being removed by the Tuffstuff. It took several applications, but turned out nicely.
I also have one of these red eye machines, but the inside gears are so rusted that I've not tried to clean it yet. So I can't be sure. I know that most books and articles say to use white kerosene to clean the gumming build up.
On p.109 in the book "Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable, the author tells you how to clean the inside. On the outside of the machine she states that her husband used a carnauba car wax and just lets it go at that. She also says that it is just the car wax, not the combination of the cleaner/wax. Unfortunately, this would not have cleaned the featherweight that I was cleaning.
For the plates on the machine don't use steel wool. The tuffstuff cleaned the plates or you can use a silver polish.
I also have one of these red eye machines, but the inside gears are so rusted that I've not tried to clean it yet. So I can't be sure. I know that most books and articles say to use white kerosene to clean the gumming build up.
On p.109 in the book "Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable, the author tells you how to clean the inside. On the outside of the machine she states that her husband used a carnauba car wax and just lets it go at that. She also says that it is just the car wax, not the combination of the cleaner/wax. Unfortunately, this would not have cleaned the featherweight that I was cleaning.
For the plates on the machine don't use steel wool. The tuffstuff cleaned the plates or you can use a silver polish.
06-13-2011, 08:03 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
Posts: 1,329
Cleaning it is MUCH more scary than it is difficult. These machines are so simple that it's hard to go wrong. If you can follow a quilt pattern you can follow Billy's tute, and if you can put quilt pieces together you can put the machine together. If you are really worried about it, take pictures of each step before you take those pieces apart, then look at your pictures to see where the parts belong. Your machine looks like it's in good enough shape that it really won't require a full take-apart to clean it; just open things up and use a q-tip dipped in alcohol and some light (sewing machine) oil. You got a steal at $5!
06-13-2011, 09:02 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,972
Originally Posted by Prism99
It is safe to use baby oil or sewing machine oil on a cotton ball to clean the machine. Wipe on, leave for awhile so it can loosen the dirt, then wipe off.
06-13-2011, 09:06 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,972
Originally Posted by Granny Charley
I found this old Singer yesterday and have no idea which one it is but it was only $5 so I thought I could not go wrong.
I took some before pictures then started cleaning it with only dish soap and warm water. However I don't know if I am cleaning off dirt or the decals!!
Can someone please advise me
I took some before pictures then started cleaning it with only dish soap and warm water. However I don't know if I am cleaning off dirt or the decals!!
Can someone please advise me
No soap and water, use only sewing oil! Singer oil!
06-13-2011, 10:45 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Hermon ME
Posts: 681
Looks like you're got a Red Eye..looks just like mine which is a model 66. Be careful what you use to clean the head. TR-3 Resin Glaze is awesome to clean the machine with...it's an automotive product and it will not tarnish the decals...kerosene is great for cleaning the inner parts but I wouldn't put it on the outer finish for fear it would tarnish the decals.
06-13-2011, 11:22 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: leavenworth, ks
Posts: 3,093
Great buy on a good machine. I have through all the posts and noticed one thing. It uses back clamping feet so if you want more than your basic presser foot, you'll need to find them. I understand they can be found on EBay but am not sure. Congrats on your new baby and use only sewing machine oil, not baby oil, if you use oil to clean her up.
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