Singer 128-8
 

I recently acquired this Singer 128-8.

From this thread over here

https://www.quiltingboard.com/vbulle...n-t248986.html

apparently Singer bought out Osann which had previously bought out Standard which manufactured a Hexagon (picture at the end of that thread).

Apparently Singer used up parts and made the 128-8. The serial number dates it to 1938 in a lot of 10,000. Makes me wonder if the whole lot was 128-8s.

The cut out on the cabinet would accommodate a 14" base machine, except the hinges are set for a 3/4 size machine, from the left of the cut out. This machine has a spacer on the right which bolts from underneath to the castings in the base. The door is designed to be open and supporting the top, based on the small pad on top of the door and the catch that holds it open. The cabinet is noticeably smaller than one holding a 14" base machine.

The motor may be unique to this machine, based on the mounting rail towards the back of the pillar. The motor itself is also crinkle finish, which I think is kind of cool.

It sews as expected, although I have some work to do on the button style foot control as the machine isn't moving very quickly.

I am organizing pictures on the phone, and thought I'd post these before/after pictures of the furniture on this one. Although there are still some "character marks" on the 80+ year old table, it was quite a turn around.

This was about an hour and a half with Howard's Restore A Finish* in mahogany, steel wool, and elbow grease on the tough spots. It sure beats trying to strip old finish, sand it all down, etc (which I don't know how to do).


*I am not affiliated with this company in any way nor do I own its stock

Lots of work, great job !

Nice job, Joe. Also thank you for the background for this particular machine.

By any chance have you ever tried Glenn's formula? It is very similar to THE FENMAN’S ELIXIR OF LIFE – at http://needlebar.org/main/restoration/index3.html

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

It makes me wonder where that cabinet has been to get so beat up and so many water marks. Was somebody using it as a plant stand or something?

I think they opened it up for cocktail parties so people had a place to set drinks...

Thanks for the links Janey. I have not tried that formula, had not even heard of the idea of restoring existing finish vs. refinishing. Early on my friend (who gave me a great deal on a 301) told me about the Howards, so I've looked to try anything else because it has worked so well for me.

For those unfamiliar with the Howards, it's basically a solvent with stain in a given color (many available colors). The solvent dissolves or loosens existing finish and then working it with the steel wool spreads it all around while adding color. It works really well for removing paint spots, etc, although sometimes I have to let it soak a bit.