https://archive.org/details/TM10-3530-202-24

If no google, try this

I couldn't get any of the links to work, but knowing the file names I was able to find those that refer to the 31-15. Think I'll take this to a different thread for discussing the mechanics of my 31-15. You will see me back here I'm sure as I clean up my 15-90. I've decided I will make it as good looking as I can.
Thanks
David hair

Post pictures of the clean up. I would love to see the progress. I am sure it will turn out great.
Skip

Evening Glenn, So far all I have done to the 31-15 is loosen it up with PB Blaster. Then I soaked it in sewing machine oil and run it for a while. I used a 1.5 amp machine motor just to turn her over and get all the old gunky joints loose. After wiping all the excess oil off the machine the brush paint job don't look as bad. My cookie sheets are coming in very handy.
David Hair

No it does not look to bad. Cookie sheets, PB blaster are wonderful things. I have a bunch of those hypo-needles I use also to squirt oil.

David,
Sorry you were unable to use the links. I copied and pasted each link in a browser and they worked.

Hello all. Longtime lurker, I'm most envious of the talent here! I was gifted a 1903 Singer 27 and she was so very neglected. It was either come home with me or go to the dump :(
She is totally seized up and I've been oiling and scrubbing. Oiling and scrubbing and I hope she's not just the world's biggest paperweight.
Any tips to get my lady up and working again?
I've purchased "almost" everything to restore her looks except the aniline dye.
Thanks in advance!

I suggest starting here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html

Clean
Oil
Time out
Patience
Oil
Time
Oil
Patience
Oil

Miriam - I think you skipped the "practice swearing" step(or two)

I think that's a given, lol.

Cari

&/);$!?@$€%{}#]¥£~$&@/?!
That do it?

Wait, I was supposed to limit that to one or two steps? Maybe that's what happened. I sprinkled liberally throughout... like fairy dust. Rude fairy dust.

ROTFLMAO! I can't tell you how many times over the years I've heard one of my kids say "MOM!! That was RUDE!!"
I usually respond with "Yes but well deserved."

Cari

LOL, same here but my reply is usually "but was I wrong?"

It always makes me smile when I get told that in that type of situation because it means I "done good" in instilling the values system but I have an opportunity to show where rules are made to be broken. Plus I love the look of "Did my MOM just say THAT?" ;)

Thanks for the tips.
I'll have to find patience because I have the oil, brushes, and swearing parts in bulk!

NEVER let a sewing machine know you are in a hurry.
Some times I think swearing at the machine just makes it madder.

I believe you're right. Onward I go!

I can't thank you enough for this post, Glenn. I got a one owner 1950 201-2 in cabinet with practically no wear. But when I started wiping all the dust and crud off, all this "stuff" started coming off like amber powder crystals. I had no idea what it was or what to do. Dish detergent soapy water took the gold off leaving silver. I freaked out and frantically started looking for information. My search led me here. And thanks to this post, now I know what to do to restore this lovely machine. I've started practicing on a 66 which is turning out really good even though it only had a few deep scratches, but I've run into a snaffoo...

There's some kind of melted rubber or tape, or something stuck to the side of the machine where the wires are. Kerosene isn't removing it, and I'm scared of using any kind of solvent. It kinda looks like someone had electrical tape there, or maybe a rubber band. Does anyone have any ideas of what to use? or what to do???

Thanks, Carol

You will need to use bug and tar remover for cars. Use a small brush to coat the stuff with and do this often then use a soft plastic putty Knife and gently scrape it off. As it softens coach it off the finish.

Thanks! I'll grab some tomorrow and get to work! I'm SEW excited to get Ms.Cotton all cleaned up! Wish I had "before" pics to post

Hi Glenn
I just purchased a Singer 306K and I love quality of this machine plus it's engineering and design! The upper body has some crazing and the shellac is mostly crackled and spotty on the neck & plate including what appears to be dried dust and oil coating all the parts on the underside but other than cosmetic appearance this machine is a beast - good for another few generations at least! I have a few questions and concerns about the cleaning and finishing of the shellac but I will post a few pics over the weekend and ask my questions then. Thank you for an awesome thread and your advise on these beautiful machines.

Here's some photo's of my 306K

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/gmc...ts/Singer_306K

Glenn can be found at victrian sweatshop forum or discussion

Ok, thanks. Will try there.
Does he not come to this forum any more?

Go here http://www.victoriansweatshop.com/?forum=501752

Don't see any posts at Victorian Sweatshop from you Glen? Are you under another name there or?

he is there as Skipper.
Sign in/register and you can pm or you can start a new thread

What is the best recommendation for removing rust on the bed? Shall I post a pic? I'm new at this and need a shove in the right direction (it's a Singer 99)

You're likely to get a faster answer if you ask over at the Victorian Sweatshop forum, link is in a post above.

Cari

You'll need a picture, too. Is it rust or dried up powdered shellac?

Sure looks like rust to me. Reddish brown and the paint is falling of all around the edges. Hopefully you can see it in this pic. Lighting is an issue. Let me know if not and I will se what I can do.

I would adore seeing video of the french polishing method. I have a hard time following written instructions. Someday I hope you or another restoration guru will make videos of this work. :)

Glen,
Great job and wonderful directions.
I have a model 101 portable (circa May 22, 1922), a model 99 portable (circa Sept 23, 1930), a model 99-10 commercial (circa Jan. 29, 1931), model 15 console (circa Sept 5, 1935) and a model 221-1 featherweight (circa April 20, 1948).
These are just the older ones in my collection and I use them all the time and keep them in great working order. They are in fairly good cosmetic condition.
I would like to use your great suggestions to do some "touch ups" on all of them.
If alive, my grandmother, oldest aunt (Adele), Billy's mother (Betty), Mrs. Prodan and the unknown owner of the 101 would probably be very grateful.
I am grateful.
Good luck,
David Zane Fleisher

Thank you David. I am now on mostly The VSS http://www.victoriansweatshop.com/?forum=501752 Please come an enjoy this group. We have a lot of knowledge on these old machines here.

Thanks Glen, great details and instructions. Just picked up a White treadle and I'm anxious to get it cleaned up. Then I want to sew on it! Got to find a manual, I'm new at this. I have a 1943 Kenmore that I love but this treadle is a whole new ball game and I'm ready to play!

Is there some how I could print off all this information? I have an old german machine to work on and would love to have a printoff of all this.

I think if you right click you will be able to save or print.

I just purchased a Singer 128 with the Crinkle/Blackside finish for $15. It resided in South Texas near the coast and it has rust showing through in places of the crinkle finish. What would be the best way to clean it up since it doesn't have the shellac finish? It mostly looks like surface rust and the rust isn't bubbly (thankfully). The slide plates and face plate are also black (not silver), would I put those in Evapo-Rust? I would like to restore her as all her parts move although the veneer is missing from both ends of the bentwood case. Thanks so much for any help!