Can this machine be rescued?
 

Hey folks,

There was some discussing on "Sit a spell" regarding what machines can and cannot be restored, and a request to start a thread for this topic.

Here it is, along with my first contribution...

The clever previous owner decided that the best way to free this stuck machine was sandblasting...

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hmm. So is it still stuck? if not, I don't think I'd even repaint it- just put some clear shellac on it for protection.

Still stuck Why no repaint?

Put it in a bucket of ATF and leave it for a while. Let the oil soak in.

Joe

Well, here is my contribution to this thread. It's a New Home Mdl AB. We responded to a Craig's List add and this is what we got.
It was locked up tight, rusted, corroded, the wires were chewed up badly as well as being old and deteriorated. And a huge mouse next was in the bottom. Can it be refurbished?

BEFORE PICS

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...cs/toprear.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/topfront.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...esinpillar.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...senestmach.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...senestcase.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...0pics/case.jpg

Well, not only could it be refurbished back to life, it was.
I rewired the motor, added a modern cord block, a modern light ( till I find an original type ) and rewired the foot controller.
The machine was actually locked up by all the pins and needles shown in the third picture. So once it was cleaned out and oiled up it turned quite easily.
The mouse nest was a mess. It took a bit to clean it out. It was old though, it didn't smell too much. The mice urine did a number on the paint, and that will have to be addressed eventually. And the case latches were missing.

The machine is working, and I used it from time to time. Should I ever find some decals for it I'll strip it and do a repaint. I do believe this one is a bit to far gone for fixing the paint.

CURRENT PIC
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ngledfront.jpg

I still haven't found latches for the case, and I'm reluctant to put a modern hasp on it. Perhaps I'll get lucky and find a set.

Joe

Ok, I'll play.
Here is a Singer 15
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Singer 15
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This one will also need new wiring, a case or cabinet.
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bottom of the Singer 15
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I am in awe of your abilities to revive these machines. I am not worthy. :-)

How much time do you think this Singer 15 would take to refurbish???

NICE! good job Joe! I agree about the paint. Although I have to say the decals look pretty straight line.... I might go for it...

While having a job, 2 weeks, on vacation, 3-4 days.

I have 6 or 7 in much better shape in line ahead of that one...

What is ATF?.

There are machines that I see - no brainer - fix it. Then there are machines like that Singer 15 - something compelling about the machine yet an awful lot of labor. A little rust or a lot of dried up oil can be overcome - and rather quickly most of the time. A LOT of rust??? Days??? Weeks??? Bent tensions no problem. Rust intimidates me I guess.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

What does that do?

It's the oil in the transmission of your car that makes it go. No ATF, no zoom zoom.

Joe

does it take off the rust?

Not so much a rust remover, although it will remove some, as it is a good penetrating oil and fairly cheap. That's why I suggested it for the machine in the OPs post.

Joe

What else do you do with it?

I use it for lubricating the door hinges on my Pathfinder and my wife's truck. Plus just about any oiling task I have. Not sewing machines, although it would work for that. Especially the synthetic ATF. It's a bit heavy though and I don't recommend it.
ATF has a tremendous amount of detergents in it to keep the transmission from getting dirty so it works good in cases like the OPs machine.

Joe

The first one (W&W #8 ?) looks like one I am looking at to rescue (if the price is right and I am lucky) I am always amazed at nice these machines "clean up" with a little TLC and a lot of patience. If the "works" weren't completely destroyed I would definitely go for it!

I just finished up one that looked way beyond repair but she turned out to be quite a little princess. Give it a try. If it don't work for you, send her along to me :)

stop by some time - I have way too many needing less TLC but enough TLC to keep me off the streets for a while.

Here is a machine that I just picked up yesterday. It is locked up solid and is soaking in oil currently. It may have been in a flood or three. The motor is locked up too. This normally wouldn't be as big of a problem but the motor is built in, similar to a potted machine, so I can't just do a motorectemy. If there is rust in there, it may be terminal.
~G~

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Grant,

Notice the seam just behind the hand wheel at the left of the machine case? If you can separate it there the motor will come apart too.

Soak it, soak it, soak it, heat it, soak it, tap on it, soak it, heat it .............. Don't take no for an answer.

Joe

You could always google the history channel for that guy (I think it's Rick's Restoration). See if they can give you any ideas. He restores many things. He may be able to help. Just a thought. But if it works leave it alone. Sometimes worth more the way it is. May want to use some linseed oil on the wood or Old English so the wood doesn't dry out.

Joe, I got it to move and it is spinning now. It needed some hammer persuasion. I am almost there but am having a hard time getting the handwheel mounting flange off. I'm ready to find out if the motor is rust or not. If not, It will sew again. I just need to get that flange off to find out.
~G~

You all are simply amazing! This is a great thread to read through.

This thread is going on the general assumption that none of us is going to get rich because of the intrinsic values of these machines. It is more about showing that if the machine is one YOU think is worth having, then YOU can restore most anything.

Time + Money + Effort = Success.

Adjust the first three of the formula above as you have resources.

90% Money + 5%Time + 5%Effort (someone else doing the work)
10% Money + 30%Time + 60%Effort (doing it yourself with Skills)
10% Money + 60%Time + 30%Effort (doing it yourself for the first time)

No such thing as too far gone yet....

I'm beginning to think Steve is a miracle worker when it comes to these machines. I'm sending him a "gift" of a frozen solid singer 24 chain stitcher. I figure if anyone can resurrect it, he can!

Great, I am sure we will all be watching for the restoration of Sandy the sanded one

This old Singer was sanded, too - It is a very nice machine.
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I just picked this New Home up for $40

you can't really see in this picture, but it is a hand crank machine. There is also the coffin top cover. More pics to follow

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Miriam,
How about painting it fluorescent red and putting Hello Kitty decals on it?

Joe

Bright yellow with smiley faces

Wow! you did an amazing restoration!