Did I ruin my machine?
 

Today, knowing that I was going to try out the ruffler and practice for a Christening gown I'm working on, I oiled my Singer 301. So, I'm looking at the instructions, take off the bottom, drip oil all over, take off the top, look at all the arrows, and when I'm done I take a closer look at the written instructions.

Do not ever oil the gears. Oops. I oiled the gears. You are supposed to use "lubricant", which apparently is a different species from oil.

I did set up the ruffler and try it out. What do I do?

i'm not an expert either, but if i were you, i would try to wipe the oil off of the gears (turn them by hand and gently clean off what you can with something that won't leave lint behind) then add lubricant to the gears.

both of above answers are correct. I rehabilitate SM and use oil to often the gunk under the hood around the gears. when I'm finished I put more axle grease on the gears. (men have their toys, so do I.)

Singer lube is getting harder to find. Jenny has it at Sew Classic, and most shops should be able to order it, but you may have to buy 6 tubes at a time (minimum order for most dealers, here in Canada at least, so YMMV)

This is what Singer recommends for the gears. It's thicker, stays in place, and doesn't "liquify" as fast when it gets warm, hence why we also use it in the Singer motors that require it.

That said, I've heard of people using all sorts of grease on the gears (the motor must have the Singer lube, so it doesn't hurt to buy it and use it for the gears too) - TriFlow's grease product, Vaseline, axle grease, etc.

And no, you didn't ruin your machine. :) You just aren't finished the maintenance.

i was just reading on a site of a person's experience with the mess Vaseline can make in machines because it melts and puddles. i think i'd stick with the lubricant.

I don't think I'd ever use it personally. I've heard of it, but I don't think I've ever had a "Grease emergency" where I'd need something that quickly. There are so many good greases out there for gears that there's not a lot of reason for it.

I wouldn't mind seeing the site you mentioned...?

Go to Sew-Classic and buy a tube of TRI-FLOW grease and oil. Lube the gears with the grease and everything else with the oil. The T-F grease is superior to the Singer Lube for gears and works wonders on them. You should also pick up a couple tubes of the Singer Lube for the motors that use it too.

You didn't hurt the machine but the oil you put on the gears will not lube them for long.

Joe

I agree with the replies. It will drip, but will clean up. Then get some lube and put on the gears. I have supplies at my website if you can not find locally: www.thequiltgal.com. Singer lubricant is the same for all the Singer machines, Featherweight 221s etc that require lubricant.