GE Machine finished
 

Here's the one of the original threads about the machine http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t225466.html

Glenn walked me through the shellac removal process(took me about 8 hours of hard work!). Thanks, Glenn! Here's what it looked like before and now the after photos. I may need to go over it one more time with new shellac. The decals are still a bit dark, and there are loads of pin marks and dings but I think it's a big improvement in the overall condition of the machine. I'm looking forward to putting it back together.

Very well done job! congratulations, I think it looks like it was well worth the effort

Great job Candace, I knew could do it. It really looks nice. Pat yourself on the back for me.
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Wow what a knock out! Great job on the machine! Its absolutely beautiful!

Looks a million times better Candace. Really beautiful job.

I have yet to attempt a shellac restoration, but it's these kinds of posts that make me feel like it really is possible, and SO worth it!

WOW - I have some that need that...

To repeat what has been said, "wow", and "great job!". It looks soooooo much better.

I'm ssssooooo glad you didn't sand blast it and paint it purple!!! It is perfect!

I think you did a stunning job.. So glad you posted the before photo too.

I never noticed the ruler decal in the before shot. It's such a pretty color now!

Congrats on job well done.... it's lovely.

Turned out wonderful!

Today I'll put it all back together and call it done:>

Wow! You've done a super job on that machine! :)

amazing Candace, thank you for sharing it with us!

It now makes a nice stitch now that it's all back together. My only complaint is that the rubber belt pulls too hard on the motor pulley(I believe) and I think it would run faster with a different belt. I'm considering trying out some treadle leather or other alternatives since the only belts that fit this machine are actually rubber vacuum belts.

Candace? Wow. Really wow.

What patience, and what an amazing job you have done.

If you wouldn't mind posting a photo of the finished baby, that would be really nice to see :-)

Here's a recent photo of my niece sewing with it. It's not a power house, that's for sure, but it makes a nice stitch.

Cute little girl!!! I bet she loves that machine - it looks very nice, too.

Wow, Candace - what an amazing job you did on that machine. I am in awe. Congratulations on having a great eye for a worthy rescue! You did a really spectacular job.

I just got one of the teal colored ones that is scarred pretty bad but pretty complete except for a manual. the ISMAC needle list shows it under Davis???? and says the needle is CC? Is that correct? did you touch up the spots of missing paint? Are the bobbins same as a Standard Rotary? I only got 1:(

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The seller did an EXTRAORDINARY job of pkg!! Almost couldn't get to it!!!

I didn't touch up any paint. The paint on mine was actually decent. It was the shellac that was terrible. The machine I have takes standard 15 x 1 needles. As for the bobbins, mine only came with one too. If you find out what they are and if they're still available, let me know.

I would be tempted to do a repaint on yours considering the paint loss. But the time involved in that is a big commitment.

Candace!! You did a beautiful job!! I am amazed at the difference!

Is the bobbin case similar to a Singer 221? How do you wind the bobbin?

No, the 221 bobbin case is much improved. The bobbin case on this machine is quite fiddly for lack of a better word. You put the bobbin on the knob that juts out on the right side of the machine. You run the thread through the handle of a pair of scissors to control the thread path.

Mine came with a 15x1 needle in it, but wouldn't pick up the thread til I dropped the needle about 1/8" which leads me to believe it was either adjusted for a 20x1 needle at some point, or that the earliest models used that. But when I google Standard Sewhandy i can't find any good info. any insight on this. I'd buy the 2nd vol of the book "Before the Featherweight-Sewhandy" Vol II but can't find it for sale. And the google preview skips the page on needles.

The manual for the GE SewHandy specifies 15x1 needles and mine came with a GE branded needle packet that was labeled 15x1. It sews great with them. GE would be the earlier machines.

Standard before GE, Osan Etc. 1928.

So, GE didn't create this machine and bought it from Standard?

That book i mentioned is previewable on google and vol is avail for Nook. Im Nookless. But yes thats what i read. im going to see needle bar for 15x1 and see how it goes. Mine is early production 1928. Chanes til cease production in1938

Mine is pretty noisy. Play in gear mesh bobbin carrier etc. Wish i had a service manual!

Oh, interesting. I don't have the second volume. I do have the FW book. Can you post a few pics of the bobbin assembly on yours? Mine doesn't have any play. I wonder if they're different?

Check out www.alibris.com. Looks like they have it.

Hey! Thanks!!

Wow, much better!

Mine came with a 15x1 needle in it, but wouldn't pick up the thread til I dropped the needle about 1/8" which leads me to believe it was either adjusted for a 20x1 needle at some point, or that the earliest models used that. But when I google Standard Sewhandy i can't find any good info. any insight on this. I'd buy the 2nd vol of the book "Before the Featherweight-Sewhandy" Vol II but can't find it for sale. And the google preview skips the page on needles.

I don't know how I double posted, sorry... anyway, I did manage to take out some of the noise/slop in the bobbin case retainer. There is a bit of balancing as far as holding it in, there is a screw on the underside which tightens the retainer against the bobbin case,
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and a screw on the top of the retainer which keeps it parallel,
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Once I got those balanced out, it was quieter. I also needed to remove a spacer from the upper tension which didn't belong there, and kept the presser foot lifter from releasing the tension. Next up, will be to set the needle bar height to take 15X1 needles.
May also work on taking out a little of the gear lash. But not too much, because they are brass gears, and wouldn't take much to ruin them I think.
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I like how the wood base basically holds the whole electrical harness and all powered items, save the light.

Yes, it's the same innards as mine. Just a note, unless the motor is having issues, don't take it apart. It was a bear to get back and keep it from binding. Cathy M. and I spent a lot of time fussing with both of ours. So, beware disassembling the motor!

Thanks for the warning! Its fine for awhile. Just want to deal with the play in the shaft/gears.