I am amazed ... I really didn't think this one would ever sew again.
 

I've mentioned the Singer 127 I picked up a month or so back that was so incredibly filthy and gummed up with old oil, it took me a month of cleaning just to get it where I could think about test sewing with it.

Well last week I did the first test stitches and they were a disaster. Way too much top tension. There was no way I could make it sew, not even by cranking in more shuttle tension. Somewhere back in time someone had replaced the top tension beehive spring with one taller and made from thicker wire than the original. Even with the adjusting screw backed out till it was almost falling off there was so much tension the top thread just would not pass through the disks.
I took the spring out of my 66-1 and put it in the 127 which then sewed beautifully. ( Screwed up the 66 though, thought I'd never get the tension set back right ).

Yesterday I went to the LSMG and got a more proper spring. Oh what a difference. I put the machine in my test treadle and worked with it for a while. It took some time and sewing to fine tune the shuttle and top tension, but I got the machine to sew proper looking stitches with good tension now.

It's still just a well worn machine with signs of neglect and some rust pits but she'll sew nicely now. Now I need a treadle for her. No motor or hand crank, she deserves a treadle.

Joe

Here's a bunch of tensioner parts: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290748123256

$8 post paid to refurb the whole shebang - $5 if you just want the two springs, but new tension disks can make a huge difference. :)

He's a good seller, too.

eBay is OK I guess, but nothing beats a local guy with boxes of bits and parts to did through.

Joe

Joe, VERY satisfying indeed. Nothing like it when it all comes together and it starts to sew!

A month of cleaning! My goodness - that is dedication. Congratulations on getting 'er to sew.

Judy,

The first 10 days or so it sat with the underside soaking in kerosene. It didn't touch the old crud. After that I used some solvent with old tooth brushes then went to cotton balls, then in the end to denatured alcohol and q-tips. She's still a grungy looking old lady, but not because of the crud. She's just been used a lot in her almost 100 years of service.

During all this I was also doing other machines and sewing projects as well, so I wasn't cleaning 24-7 on this thing. Felt like it though.

Joe

Joe,

Yeah, I suspected it wasn't a 24X7 effort - LOL. I assume you don't mind her used, grungy look. I really like my machines that have a lot of wear. They run very smooth and their battle scars just say to me that they were a loved, important part of a household. I do use them and plan on adding more wear and tear to them over the years. :-)

I hope you find her a treadle of her own soon!

Judy

Judy,

I'm keeping my eyes open. ( Hoping for a free one :D )

Joe

Local Sewing Machine Garage?

I think "LSMG" is Local Sewing Machine Guy. Acronyms drive me crazy. I was in IT and that field is rampant with them. Until I know the meaning behind those letters I can't move forward!!!!

Local
Sewing
Machine
Guy

I hate acronyms too, but I'm on this computer so much that I've gotten tired of keyboarding out certain phrases I seem to use a lot.
I'm the same way, unless I know that it means I sit there playing a guessing game until I figure it out.

Joe

I had no doubt that you would get that old girl working again. :thumbup:

Hi Joe: I am still thinking on that idea of mine to make a road trip (my husband and I love short road trips) up your way with a machine that I want you to either "do" or "help me do" in exchange for some machines and cabinets that I am down-sizing out of. Now you think on it; and let me know if you are up to company or if you and your wife love road trips and want to come south for the same deal.....

JoAnn,

I don't have any problem with visitors. Unfortunately I have no room to put them up. Out "little" house is full of stuff to the point there is more sewing machines in the living room than chairs. We are looking to re-home some machines, and ourselves too. But that is a different story.
As for us going to TN we just can't do it. No funds plus we have our cats that can't be left alone and this neighborhood is not one to leave anything unattended for any length of time.

So, If you want to stop by and can make arrangements for a place to stay, we can see what can be done with your machines. I hate to be that way, but you just wouldn't believe how small this doll house is.
If you do decide to come this way, PM me for my address and email.

Joe

Thanks for the prompt answer, Joe. I was feeling a little like you might not want to accomodate strangers in your work room--don't worry about that for RKP and me. We love the local Hampton Inn and hope you all have one nearby. He is a talker as I am, so we can probably have a nice visit. And he is forever asking me what am I going to do with all those machines and cabinets in his shop, plus under my bed in my sewing room, plus all along all the walls in my sewing room. I will try the PM thing as time gets closer (right now we are taking the grandkids up to KY for a day of fun while they are out of school and all the mamas and daddies work outside the home) so a trip on our own probably won't happen for a few weeks--we have to get over the Christmas spurt of spending.....

Oh yes, I forgot to mention we have the same problem with pets here--but we are lucky enough to have a kid to prevail upon when we are gone overnight.

Sigh, my step kids are all in different states. Otherwise I'd draft one of them.

Joe