Latest Acquisitons
 

I've mentioned a couple times on here that I won a Singer 66 at auction. There's really nothing remarkable about the machine except that I placed an absentee bid of $5.00-the auction houses minimum absentee bid- and won it. It says something about the sorry state of the market for these machines.
Here's a couple pictures.
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It came in a New Home wooden case and is missing the slide plate and spool pin. It seems pretty solid though and should be an easy one to get running again. My plans are to convert it to hand crank for kids to use. It's also my first carrying case of this style. i wanted one to study how they were put together. ISMACS shows that it was one of 35000 66s allocated for production on May 22, 1928.

This find I'm pretty proud of. I answered a Craigslist ad this morning and went on a minor road trip with my daughter to pick it up earlier today. I was smart and got permission from my CFO before I brought this one home. I don't think she was aware of the 66 until she answered the call from the auction house saying I won.
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So far all I know is it's a White Rotary. The last patent date on the cover is 1913. This is my first earlier White Rotary and my first bentwood case of any brand. The machine itself seems complete. It does have the bobbin case and (I hope) a bobbin. It's frozen solid, most likely has some severe pin rash and there is some slight silvering of the decals. Overall though, I think it will clean up pretty nicely. A couple glue joints are coming loose on the case, it needs a new bottom and is missing a hinge, but those are minor problems and it too will clean up very nicely.
Which needles do these take and who do I call to get it dated?
Thanks,
Rodney

the White FR takes a 15X1 and Katie Farmer can date the machine with the SN she has done extrensive research on Whit machines. You can email [email protected]. She date my White Peerless HC. She also is a member of Treadleon Yahoo group. Go To Treadleon.net they have a section on White machines.
Skip

$5 for that 66? Great deal. Heck, you could make way more than that parting it. Very solid machine.

That White is really, really nice. I've wanted one of those for quite a while. That is going to look fantastic once you get it cleaned and polished and that case!! I love those bentwood cases and yours is in really good shape, i.e. no crushed corners or major pieces missing or large stains. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with all this, especially the White. Beautiful machine. So many details: the spoke hand wheel, the spool pin plate on the top of the machine, that cool length lever on the pillar bulge...

Some how i now have three similar but with a shuttle bobbin. One has the knee lever one a foot peddle and the third I just rescued because it is only good for parts. The knee lever one need all new wiring so I think I will just use parts from it on the good one.

It's not perfect. The gold color on the decals is intact but details on the bed that should have had some color in them are silvered. I also expect to see some severe pin rash on the arm. The foot controller and plug are long gone too. I only paid $20 for it plus had a good day driving with my daughter to go get it so I'm very happy with it. It was up in Graham so I was able to take backroads all the way and avoid the nightmare named I-5. I'll be looking at other examples to see what mine should look like and do my best to get it there. Whites do have some nice details. My last real White was a model 77MG and I really liked the way it sewed. A good friend of ours showed some interest so I gave it to her. I want to show off some earlier machines along with some hand cranks for kids to use at next year's fair. This White will most likely be part of the exhibit.
Rodney

This White Family Rotary is a great machine and sews very well. Mine is in a treadle and it is one of easiest to treadle.[ATTACH=CONFIG]489485[/ATTACH]

Nice haul today Rodney. Did you take the Yelm Highway up through Roy? If so you went right past me. The 66 looks pretty clean, just watch picking up the case by the handle. Ask me how I know. The White looks just like my basket case that stays outside. I should have done more to try to save it when I first got it but I think it's too late now.
Hey, I've got a machine you might like to have, I'll pm you.

Yes we did. We took a little detour at Stuart Meats and picked up some jerky & pepperoni on the way home. It was probably the same amount of drive time but far more pleasant than dealing with I5.
I doubt it's too late to get it running again. It takes a lot to kill these things.
The 66 has most of the decals on the bed rubbed off, not really a collector grade machine when there's so many in better condition out there but I think it'll be a good running one and for the money I couldn't go wrong.
I'm more excited by the White. It should clean up pretty nicely.
Rodney

Ha! I had to run an errand out to the round-a-bout this morning, we could have been driving the road behind/in front of each other. I live about a mile up from the Amtrak station.
I'll give you my White if you want it, but it's the one I was talking about on another thread with Miriam and Joe. It's pretty bad.

Cari

The one the cats like to pee on? :) I might take it just for the challenge. Have you read this thread?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...d-t216857.html
What some of these guys have done is pretty impressive but it also shows how tough these old machines really are too.
It all depends on how much work you want to put into one.
Rodney

Rodney,
Your machine is newer than mine. The first thread guide on yours looks like a little fork, the older machines have a little wheel. Here's my serial # FR2557222, its a 1917 according to Katie Farmer. I also have 1908 and 1913 heads.
Sharon in Texas

Beautiful machine. I like just about all older machines so it's hard to say if I like the style of Whites better than Singers of the same age. I do like the look of the Whites though. But then why pick favorites?
There's going to be a learning curve for me. The threading is nothing like any of my other machines. One bonus though is mine has always been electric so it has a bobbin winder that rides on the wheel instead of the belt.

I have a question. Mine didn't come with the power cord or foot pedal. My wiring is a short cord leaving the motor with a round 2 prong plug on the end. Does anyone have an original electric in the case they can show me the electrical on? The cabinet models are probably wired differently. I don't know if I can find the parts but I would at least like to try to return it to original.
Rodney

This is funny, because I have a White FR that I was going to offer to Rodney, if he wants it! It is in decent shape, nice decals, moves, bobbin case and two bobbins but no slide plate. I've decided to focus on Singers, mostly, and am probably never going to get a treadle for it. Rodney, it is yours if you want it. It would give me an excuse to go down to Centralia. And I love that you're helping out your daughter's 4H.

Wow, the FR White has all the decals on still. It looks more dirty than rusty/gunky. It is going to gleam when you get done with it. That looks like what is in the cabinet I just acquired, except I bet underneath the dirty face yours is going to prove in better shape than mine (which came along for the ride in the cabinet I wanted; then went and got attached to the machine.)

Good idea making the other a handcrank for kids. They will love it.

Monopas I'll take it. I have a complete and utter lack of self control. That and it would be a good excuse to meet you in person.
Rodney

I know the feeling. And giving you a machine will make me feel better about the others I just can't part with! I'll probably be able to make it down in the next few weeks, though I'm not going anywhere this weekend. I5 is going to be a nasty mess.

No rush and Thanks! I avoid I5 as much as I can these days. I don't know how often you come down this way but they're widening I5 here so it's a bit of a bottle neck as you come into town so traffic can be even nastier than usual.
Rodney

I have scoured the web for a diagram, that is all I want, on how to thread and no luck??? A couple of sites talk you through it but I don't really know the "body parts" they reference. (We have not gotten that intimate in our relationship yet). Maybe something wrong with the search engine tonight? Any suggestions for this FR White?

I found a manual for a white rotary in ISMACS. It may be slightly different than yours.
http://www.ismacs.net/white/manuals/white-rotary.pdf
Rodney

White Rotary
 

Glad to see you saved the old girl. I learned to sew on one like it 60 years ago. My daughter has it now. It sews very well and doesn't require as much fussing as a FW. They are a good old machine. I would love to have ours, but not enough room for a treadle and we are too old to get it upstairs. Yours is portable, although not light for sure. Thanks again for saving her.
Donna


[ATTACH=CONFIG]489469[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]489470[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]489471[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]489472[/ATTACH]t patent date on the cover is 1913. This is my first earlier White Rotary and my first bentwood case of any brand. The machine itself seems complete. It does have the bobbin case and (I hope) a bobbin. It's frozen solid, most likely has some severe pin rash and there is some slight silvering of the decals. Overall though, I think it will clean up pretty nicely. A couple glue joints are coming loose on the case, it needs a new bottom and is missing a hinge, but those are minor problems and it too will clean up very nicely.
Which needles do these take and who do I call to get it dated?
Thanks,
Rodney[/QUOTE]

Yes it's that one and I don't want to put ANY work into it. It's all yours. I'll have to bring it when I bring you the 99 if you still want to do that.

Cari

I'm not even sure what I could trade you for the 99. Most of my machines are pretty generic and frankly your 99 sounds like it's better than any I could convince myself to part with.
Rodney

A fair trade has nothing to do with $$ value, a trade is fair if both parties are happy. If you don't have anything I'd like right now that you want to part with, you might in the future. There's not a time limit on my offer.

Cari

Rodney, you are hoplessly hook on vintage machines. it makes me happy to see your enthusiam for them

I do need to be careful not to bury myself in them though. Sewing machines have a lot going for them. I like machines of all types. Sewing machines are mechanically complex and have a huge variety of designs. They're also portable and you can work on them and use them indoors. This has become important, I'm disabled and some of my medications make me really sensitive to cold. I also can't do the heavy lifting that I once could, sewing machines are small enough I can move them around. Finding them is also fun, I like the hunt. I also like making things and I've discovered it really doesn't matter what. My enjoyment is in the process. I've also met some really great people thru sewing machines.
I do think my wife would be happier if I slowed down on them a bit. We live in a small house and space and finances are both limited. She is supportive but doesn't quite get why I want more than just a few. Realistically, one good zigzag machine would fulfill at least 95% of all sewing needs. I think what I'm going to focus on is machines from about 1900 up to the 70s or even a little later. I don't have any interest in the modern electronic and plastic ones and doubt I'll be able to afford any of the truly early ones. I do want to try to get a good representation (cross section?) of the evolution of the sewing machine though, including some of the dead ends.
Rodney

I know what you mean about burying yourself in them. That's what happened to me when I first started. I spent my first year buying anything I could afford. Now that I've gotten a little wiser, a lot poorer, and have a specific focus I'm in the purging phase of almost everything that isn't my focus. I have many more machines than what I've told about or shown.

Cari

I have refinished several wooden cases and use varnish remover, then stain with mahogany stain. Let dry well and steel wool it to smooth, then stain again and go over it lightly to remove any bumps. Add replacement decals "Singer" to the box and seal with brush on lacquer from Home Depot. It will be very shiny so you my wish to "satin" it with very fine steel wool, or not. I like mine shiny. It gives a piano finish that I happen to like. Had lots of compliments. It is a bit of work, but it is well worth it. Got the decals off Ebay. Good luck.
CAUTION: Let lacquer dry very hard if giving a second coat for a "deep" look, if worked too fresh it will roll up and you will have to start all over at the beginning
Donna

Thanks Donna. I have a project or two ahead of it. Right now I've oiled everything I could reach from the outside of the machine and have it sitting aside while I'm working on a building a case for a Singer 27 I bought as a parts machine. The head is too nice to part out so it's getting a case and a hand crank. Meanwhile I'm hoping the oil will soak in and loosen up the White. It's currently frozen solid. I have more machines than I do cases to put them in so I'm working to fix that. The White case is giving me some good lessons in case construction. I'll be copying some of their methods on the next one.
Rodney
Rodney

I just noticed when I was looking for this thread that I spelled acquisitions wrong. What can I say? I'm stupid.
Rodney

I better quit while I'm ahead then. If it wasn't for spell check and an online dictionary my posts would look like a 3rd grader wrote them:eek:

I've been slowly fiddling with the White Rotary. I removed the hardware and stripped what was left of the old finish off the case using steel wool and lacquer thinner-it was way too far gone to mess with-and am slowly gluing all the loose joints back together on it. Olivia turned a new knob for the slide-out lid on the inside on her lathe. I still need to pick up some 1/8 plywood (door skin) for a new bottom.
I oiled the machine and let it sit until today. Patience isn't a trait I'm known for. It was still stuck solid. The only part that would move was the balance wheel. Don't try this, I won't be responsible for any broken or mangled parts. I took the wheel off and put a pipe wrench on the end of the shaft. I got lucky! I freed up the machine AND didn't manage to break anything. After I got things turning a bit I added more oil to everything I could reach and have been working it some more. It's still a bit tight but not bad. The stitch length adjustment is still stuck and everything needs a serious cleaning but I'm happy with the progress.

Is there a service manual free online anywhere for White Rotaries? I'm trying to figure out how to take the nose apart to clean and oil everything in it. I found the two screws that hold it on the arm but couldn't get it off the machine.
Rodney

Theres a how to on treadleon to get the cover off the nose and back on again. I had the same trouble you're probably running into.
http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachi...aceplaste.html

You and me both. We don't look at spelling anyway we only want what you say and the info you provide. Most of the time it is a typing issure not spelling. LOL

Glenn I think thats called dyslexic fingers :)

You got that right Crocee. I am quilty....

:D:D:D So am I

.0I just finished reading that article. It's exactly what I needed.
Thanks crocee!
Rodney

You'll need 3 hands and a dozen fingers when it comes time to put it back on :)

That's why I have Olivia help me.
Rodney

I got the stitch length lever unstuck. The part that was stuck was the part farthest up inside the head. That's how it goes for me, it's never the easy to get to stuff that gives me fits, it's always the stuff that I can't reach, I could barely even see the part. It's working now but needs re-assembled. It took over an hour of fiddling to get it to break loose. I used excessive force (again) and it went with a loud pop when it finally broke free. I could have sworn that I broke something but got very lucky this time.

I think I'm going to buy some kerosene to use as a solvent for these machines. This White is absolutely filthy inside, so much so that I want (need) to flush every part on it inside and out to remove all the rust, grit,dirt and grease and dried oil out of it before I go much farther. I don't think I'm quite brave enough to tackle what it really needs-a full teardown and cleaning of every single part in it- so I'm going to settle for scrubbing and flushing everything I can get to instead.

Sewing machine oil is too expensive for general cleaning chores of this magnitude plus I think the kerosene will work better for dissolving old oil and other yuck in the places I can't get to easily. While alcohol is fine on metal parts removed from the machine, I don't want it anywhere near my finish. Mineral spirits is usually pretty safe but I do wonder if it contributed to damaging the shellac clear coat on my daughter's 99, I don't want to test it on this machine.
I'm going to be settling in for some quality time with Qtips, old toothbrushes and old rags on this one. I think I'll give my buffing setup a workout too.

I'll be needing it for the White Cari gave me too. That one is in worse shape. The hook area is severely rusted from being in direct contact with the ground. I may be looking for a donor machine for that one. It would probably make more sense to use Cari's machine for a donor but I'm stubborn and foolish that way. ;)
I'm very impressed with this machine so far. I'm no expert on old sewing machines but the engineering on this machine is very good, I think in some ways superior to the Singers that were being made at the same time.
The oil has been working it's magic now that it can seep into the areas where it's needed. The machine turns very freely now. I expect this machine to be a joy to sew with when it's done.

QUESTION: I took a look at Sew-Classic's website but didn't see them there. I'm going to need new drive wheels for these machines. Both are the conical type. Does anyone know a good source? I'll probably need new bobbin tires too.
Rodney