stinky montgomery wards SM
 

I got to play on friday morning with old SMs (plural). I had posted about the Sewing Machine Project that a local lady is running here in madison. friday I went and helped check out SM to make sure they work, oil and shine them up a bit. here is a MW machine that works beautifully, but it smells musty. I thought it was in the case and brought it home to set in the sun daily for a couple of weeks. NOOOO it is in the machine it self that stinks. any ideas if how to get this smell out? also anyone have more info on it? where do I look for a serial or model number to look up?

Try turning it over. Maybe you'll get its stinky side down and not notice it so much.

(Please forgive me. I couldn't resist.)

CD in Oklahoma

I can't help you with the smell, but that is so bizarre that you posted that picture, as my sister sent me 2 pictures of the same type of machine yesterday.

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I did buy a stinky 301 one time, and it was the oil drip pan pad that was the culprit.

I have an Emdeko machine that reeks of stale rancid oil. I've cleaned it inside and out, oiled it repeatedly to flush out the old oil, used it several times, and yet it still stinks.

A person I know has left her FW with me to fix and it's case smelled like fresh mouse pee. My wife tossed a fresh drier sheet in the case and that has almost totally removed the stink. I think I'm gonna try that with the Emdeko.

Joe

Try using a product called OdoBan, spray douse it and it will dissipate the smell. I've used it in gallons before to douse a flagstone patio that had repeatedly been used by a dog as a potty ground and it worked wonders. It attacks the source smell so it doesn't come back and its safe enough to drink although not advisable. ;)

I have used OdoBan on my oriental rug (Tink peed on it). Never thought to try it on a machine. Will have to check into it...

Very interesting! Both machines look exactly like my Portman!

I' haven't worked on it yet, but it was neglected in an ooky garage with loose critters so I bet it smells.

How long is the bed on those machines?

Be sure to post some after pictures!

I swear some of these machines have been treated with fish oil or something.

Clean it thoroughly, then store it with an "Odor-Eater" shoe insert. It really works!

~ Cindy

CD you are forgiven......I have had success with the dryer sheet and musty smelling books. I will try that.
I did not take it apart so not sure if there is an oil pan in it.
I have not heard of odorban, but can and will try anything.


thanks for all your help.

I got one of those that someone had set for a different needle height, I didn't realize the needle clamp was hitting the lower bushing, and broke both connecting rods (cheap pot metal on these) so it's on the back burner for now. interesting machines though, considering the free arm concept wasn't too broadly used at that time.

I have one of the MW (Montgomery Ward) models that were sold by National. It was designed by the Portman Sewing Machine Company. The design has been referred to as “Seamstress”, “N-50”, and “Model J”. I’m not clear on which name was used by which entity. I think mine is possibly called a Model J because it has the serial number of J 30719.

I removed the motor of mine and experimented with adapting the machine for use in a treadle cabinet, but I didn’t get very far. The base housing interferes with the belt path, and I will have to figure out some type of idler pulley mounted on the treadle top to avoid it. The project is on hold, but I still think it would make a good darning machine for mending jeans and other denims. That’s what I was hoping to use mine for....

CD in Oklahoma

And everytime I see a picture of one, I'm reminded I need to take my apart and fabricate some new connecting rods. Sounds like fun, but I wish I didn't have to. dang pot metal!
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I don't have it out, but in the photo above, my hand is not so large, 8-1/2" tip to tip of finger to thumb

The odor is almost certainly old oil, and perhaps old dust etc stuck to the old oil.
I suggest a thorough dousing in kerosene (outside of course!) to try to flush out the oil.

It will probably go away itself over time as you use and oil the machine, but as mentioned above, if it has a drip pan, scrape that old felt out with a putty knife and replace it with new felt.

I still have not gotten permission to open it up (not my machine). I did take off the bobbin cover plate and whoosh, musty musty musty smell. I keep putting it outside. I'm sure it is old oil just as Jamesbeat suggested. just have to get permission.
and there is no drip pan from what I can see.