I got my first vintage Singer a little more than 2 months ago, I am far from experienced with these. So keep that in mind when I try to help.

In you situation I would remove the hand wheel and the motor cover (like in your pictures) and run it slowly and watch for anything that doesn't seem right. Smoke, noise, anything you wouldn't expect.

But like I said, I am new to this. That is just what I would do. As far as electrical problems like shock and fire you need to use your best judgment on that.

Here's a pic of what I'm talking about.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]542330[/ATTACH]

If it was rewired last autumn it should still be fine. The black tape hasn't smelled much if at all on my vintage Singers (1930s and 1950). If you run your fingers over the black tape, do they smell of the bitter dusty smell? Is it like when rubber get hot? If it's the black tape I'm sure some of the experienced members here have heard of similar cases.

When I ran my finger over the tape and smelled it, there isn't much of a smell. It appears the main smell is in the center wire part.

Yay, I checked out the motor for smoking like DK said, and it seems to be all good (I didn't notice any smoke) Apparently the smell is old lube and dust. My dad and I cleaned out the old lube behind the handwheel, and are leaving the motor smell to wear away. If I end up having more trouble with this, I'll probably take it to a serviceman, but for now I'm good. :)

Great news!

I posted a reply on the Victorian sweat shop forum SteveH has finally gotten up and running. Sweat shop in one word will help your search.

Hopefully you did grease the motor before returning it to service. The gear seen in the pic above and the motor bearings use the same grease source; the grease pots. Run them dry or with insufficient lube and the motor will be damaged.

Joe

I got the machine cleaned and oiled, and just need to add some lub in the under the screws underneath the hand-wheel. I contacted a sewing repairman in Montana with my picture and the story of the smell, and he gave me some options. None of them apply to be except perhaps "the motor shorting out." I'm hoping it's not that; if it is I may need to get another motor. But that would be the worst case scenario. For now I am going to continue using it believing it is a dusty lub smell.