girliegirl

I don't like when I see people tearing down a sewing machine to sell parts.... It bothers me.. Well I bought the one Treadle machine to find missing parts on it.. So I came across another red eye that I am going switch out... So do I try to find the missing parts or just keep it the way it is and use the parts for other machines?? Oy vey ... what to do?

Macybaby

what parts you need? I've got two Red Eyes in the shed. Neither are much to look at and in my opinion, not worth the time to fix up - but if someone else feels differently then they can have them with my blessings. We've used a few parts off them - but mostly they are still there.

My goal is to rehome all of the machines in the shed before winter. I started "collecting" in January and things are out of hand and I need to get them back in control. I ended up with so many extra machines because I as after the Cabinets.

J Miller

Shirley,

Been there, done that, got some good machines from the effort.

I have purchased a number of machines with missing and or damaged parts. In every case I have hunted down new parts or have purchased used parts from my LSMG or on line to rebuild the one with missing parts. To date I have ended up with good machines. Several of which have been rehomed to happy sewists.

I do not like parting out machines. It's usually the good ones that are violated for some reason. In any given machines life there will be maintenance done with parts replaced as needed, so I see no problem with using aftermarket parts. Parts is parts for a machine that is to be used. For a museum display ... well I don't have anything like that, so I don't care if some of the parts are modern or not.

I say, fix 'em and use 'em.

Joe

miriam

Every once in a while you have to part one out. I have a red eye that is rather ugly. It was pretty rusted out and at the time I got it I figured parts so I removed the motor. It does not have a case. Then one day as I was thinking about what to do about my little visually impaired grand daughter I thought a hand crank on that machine. BUT there is no motor boss. Then I discovered steering wheel spinners. This machine doesn't matter how ugly it is. The kids adore it. I let them clean it, oil it and sew on paper 3X5 cards. Like I said they adore it. Here is a picture of 3 year old Wilbur 'working' on that machine. OH and guess what I don't care if he does 'work' on that machine. He can't hurt it. I can always fix that one. It does the job for the kids.
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miriam

By the way if you put a finger guard on it just for a bit of peace of mind for the little ones.

miriam

You would also be very surprised how much rust will clean off a machine and the machine will look good and work. I have never had a Singer 15 that doesn't work eventually. I had one I had given up on a year ago. I got it out a couple weeks ago and by golly it now works. AND looks pretty darn good. I have had a few of the more complicated Japanese machines that I have more or less given up on - I think Joe took one home and gave up on it, too.

Vridar

I can't answer for myself so I cant advice. Bought my first 403 on eBay. No packing when arrived. Complained about bent upper tension shaft. Full refund. Purchased another to salvage tensioner. Second is too good to cannibilize so get another for parts? It's a vicious spiral to oblivion.

Vridar

Great picture. Great story. My granddaughter gets my next 66. Will add a steering wheel spinner. Love the ingenuity.

J Miller

If it's the Wizard you gave me it's out in the garage all freed up. All I need to do is finish checking the adjustments and timing and clean it real good. Oh and I need to either JB Weld a part or replace it. But I do believe it will sew again some day.

Joe

Carol34446

Joe you are a wonder and an insperation to all of us with the vintage bug.