Singer 66 Motor Odor
 

My husband surprised me tonight by redoing the wiring for the 66 (it usually takes him months or years to do the things on his honey-do list). Prior to him redoing it, and also since it's redone, the motor puts off an odor. Is not really a burning odor or anything like that but I don't quite know how to describe it. Is this a sign of something not being right? It's a Universal motor. My husband is Googling right now and found something about brushes inside the motor burning on cheaper motors. I am dying to do some sewing with it tomorrow but I don't want to cause damage if this is a sign of a problem.

Generally, that smell is old carbon burning off. It should go away with use. You could help it by cleaning the commutator/armature, if it's accessable. Armature cleaning sticks are expensive, but a long, skinny eraser works really well.

Annette, is quite correct. Old carbon, lint, oil, and other crap that accumulates on motors when the machines sit. If it doesn't clear off with some use, I usually pull the brushes then clean them, their tubes and the commutator with q-tips and denatured alcohol.

Generally that works.

Joe