New (to me) Minnesota S
 

Hi all!

I'm new here but just picked up a very nice Minnesota model S treadle machine. It has its share of problems (broken casting, cabinet drawers are pretty beat) but free always has a nice ring to it.

Still figuring out how to get pictures posted, but I know that this was a house brand for Sears and most likely made by Davis in the early 1910's. I also know that these were copies of Singer machines. What I can't figure out is if Singer parts can be used on a Davis machine. Can it be done? Has it been tried? Please let me know! Thanks in advance.

Scott

Welcome, Scott. Hopefully, jlhmnj will be along and give you some additional information for your machine.

It looks like you saw the ismacs page that tells about Minnesota machines for Sears.

It looks like maybe the manual in post #7 of https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...e-t234005.html may be helpful.


We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.

I have found that only the big red "Reply" button or "Quote" work to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...p-location.jpg

Some additional info regarding reducing images at post #4 and images for the scroll and upload button can be found at #5 of https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...d-t312607.html

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan! There are so many people who can help you out in the Vintage & Antique group that you will get some of the best advice. I am not the one however to advise you. I only dabble in Vintage and Antique machines and have a small collections of machines. I am sure that some of them will jump in on this thread which I will be following. Again thanks for becoming one of us at the QB.

I have a Franklin, Sears clone of a Singer 27, which was manufactured by either White or Domestic according to ismacs.net, and I have used Singer 27 parts on it: shuttle, needle, bobbins, and tension parts.

Welcome from South Lousiana!

Thanks, Joe! From what I gathered off ISMACS, mine was built by Davis between 1910-1912 (IIRC). It looks so much like a Singer (minus the weight) that I had to ask.

Scott

I sincerely love the idea of quilting, I have family deep in the trenches of quilt making, but I can barely sew by hand, much less by machine. So I'll stick with fixing up machines instead.

Scott

And hello from New Jersey! Since yours is the smallest message, I'll try to add pictures to this reply.

The machine is beautiful. I wish I could say the same for the cabinet and treadle.

That cabinet does look like it's had a hard life!

Take a crack at fixing the table. Wood can be glued and nailed, and metal (to a lesser extent) can be fixed also; I have used JB Weld and other 2 part epoxies along with wire to act as rebar. I also use Howard Restore-A-Finish on the wood and have been very happy with the results.

If you don't want to tackle that table you can look for an "empty" Singer treadle table, it is likely that your machine will drop right in.

Once you start working on these machines, it's tough to stop...be warned!

The top of the cabinet is completely salvageable. The drawers are bent wood to match the curve of the cabinet and well above my talents in woodworking.

It may not show up well on the photo, but the back leg is broken off and completely missing. I do know places that still do castings but I fear the cost would outstrip any chance at reselling this.

I'm looking forward to repairing more. They are well built machines with simple construction and even those who don't sew appreciate them for their beauty.

Scott

A lot of this depends on a person's approach to working on these old machines and the furniture. Some people want them to stay in the original condition, some want to restore them to look original, some just want them clean and working. I fall into the "just want them clean and working" category. Where you fit will dictate how you want to proceed.

In your situation assuming the iron is not salvageable, I would start looking for replacements from Singer tables. I have a sister who lives in Minneapolis so I regularly check craigslist for machines for her to pick up for me, and right now there are three different Singer treadle bases, iron only no wood, for sale there, one set as low as $25. If you want to go this route start with craigslist and facebook marketplace. Will a Singer base work? I'm not sure but for $25 I'd be willing to find out, and if it's not an exact fit then maybe I figure out a way to make it work. Once I knew I had a replacement base I would get the glue, clamps, brad nailer, and Howards, and start putting the wood back together.

I started doing this with zero wood working skill, and don't have much more than that now, but it's immensely satisfying to do what my abilities dictate, and when I need help I come to this Board. And finally, I started with zero knowledge about the machines themselves, some mechanical aptitude, and have learned a lot by trial and error and from the many posts and people here willing to help.

And such a shame that it has! The cabinet has a beautiful fiddle shape, complete with curved drawers and an applique on the center drawer. I could potentially wait for another Sears cabinet to come along, but that may take a while.

Scott

Scott, when I was researching the Minnesota S, I happened across a thread that was started by Jon. I responded as I had noticed a comment about the Minnesota S. I referred him to this thread. His response at https://www.quiltingboard.com/8476656-post20.html indicates that your machine does takes the Davis Shuttle & Bobbin and the Davis long needles. Occasionally you can find some original needles on ebay. There is a substitute that is round shank rather than the original flat shank that will work per https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...s-t190315.html The substitute can be found at https://www.ebay.com/str/jackssmrepair?_bkw=davis+long

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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This is incredibly awesome and kind of you. I spent part of the day taking the cabinet apart (couldn't salvage much beyond the top and some of the hardware). I've yet to dig into the machine itself, but I spent a lot of time learning about how to clean and oil my sister's treadles (a Singer "Sphinx" that uses shuttles and a more modern "Red Eye" that takes regular bobbins).

Speaking of red eye, I've got a possible lead on an electrified one that's quite affordable. The madness begins!

Nice looking machine https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/thumbup.png If your up to it, then you can replace the veneers on the cabinet. I've had good results doing so https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/thumbup.png

The Howard products are great! Follow with Howard Feed N Wax.

I'll second the use of Howard products https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/thumbup.png

I'll be sure to look into the Howard products.

Meanwhile,
I scored another Red Eye for a very good price. Seller says he has a treadle in rough shape so I may be able to use it for the Minnesota as a Franken stitcher.

This one has similar cabinet problems. The top is original, but underneath is made of low grade plywood.

Started cleaning up the Minnesota S and I have a few questions.

1. Odd little felt pad or plug under the front slide plate. Used to oil places underneath?

2. I'm guessing that the iron piece with the wing nut is meant to catch the wooden top of the cabinet. Please let me know if I'm right.

3. I think this is the stitch setting plate, but cannot seem to remove it. Any ideas? Already tried a penetrating oil, but no luck.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Scott

I can't really help with #2 or #3, but more than likely that is exactly what it is. See https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...k-t246122.html There is one post that shows how to make it with a spool pin felt. Also, posts 3 and 6 should be read and advice followed, regarding the hole on the side. It can be hard to find, but is generally plugged.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

1. Yes, it is an oil wick to lubricate the shuttle when it passes by. There is a very tiny hole at the base of cavity with the wick in it, you'll want to poke a pin or something through that hole, from the shuttle side, to make sure it isn't clogged.
2. That's what it looks like. One treadle I owned had a screw that kept the machine tight to the wood frame and it had to be removed to tilt the machine itself back..
3. Looks like the stitch length plate. I have used an appropriately sized screwdriver held firmly in the screw while giving a light tap with a hammer.

Finally got it off with doing what you said along with plenty of oil. The one hole feels like it needs to be re-tapped.

Gave it a thorough cleaning last night using Goop original hand cleaner (newer versions have pumice in them). Took apart as much as I could for a two hour soak in a crock pot of water and Simple Green. Tonight I started wire brushing various unpainted parts. Buffing will be next.

Scott

I've been slowly taking the Minnie apart, de-rusting and polishing, and found that it does have a Davis shuttle and long needle! I'll try to find a few more of each.

Scott

Dumb question
 

I keep getting confused about what Singer model the Minnesota S is supposed to represent. I know people that can recognize models with a glance, I'm just not there yet.

Scott

Minnesota doesn't represent a Singer. A lot of manufactures made long shuttle machines. Since yours is this Davis, it will use different shuttles and needles. Also the stitch length is different. While it looks similar, most parts will not be interchangeable between the different actual manufacturers.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.