Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts (https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/)
-   -   Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell (https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/vintage-sewing-machine-shop-come-sit-spell-t43881.html)

chris_quilts 11-19-2012 05:54 PM

Your Rodney sounds like a neat machine and you have the grandkids to help. Lucky you. Seriously, cuz I have 2 cats to help me and they are zero help except to try to steal the Qtips, cotton balls and small screws. I have a lead on a turquoise colored White and can't decide if I "need" :D another machine and how do I disguise it in the herd.

Chris

Mizkaki 11-19-2012 06:33 PM

Miriam,

I had a Japanese made machine a few years ago that the top and nose were all one piece.
To get 'under the hood'. the top hinged on the (I think) the right side. Look for hidden hinges.

Cathy




Originally Posted by miriam (Post 5668443)
I picked up a 'Rodney' sewing machine - made in Japan - looks like 1960s two tone blue with some nice knobs and buttons on it. I've been trying to figure out how to get the top off. No pic yet - GKs showed up. The bigger kids watched a video so my helpers were Miss L and Wilbur. Wilbur had to tear himself away and 'help' grandpa cook chicken on the grill. They love it at the shop - all kinds of dangerous chemicals, grease, oil, heavy sewing machines - tiny parts - Q-TIPS! yeah Q-TIPS! - buy stock youall.... Anyway. As I was pondering the 'Rodney' Miss L my 'helper' comes in and wants to know what I'm doing. So I explained it to her and she sat and looked and looked - we didn't get it off - we did figure out how to get it loose. That machine all oiled up is slick! I'm thinking Rodney will hot rod! It will do zz and FM and ss - that's it. It just looks like it ought to sew itself. So in comes Walter and Wilbur - where do they head - straight for 'Rodney' So many buttons and knobs!!! Screwdrivers. Wow and it is a BLUE sewing machine!!! Do all guys grow up with knobs and buttons on their brains? The top of that machine and the nose is all one piece - there is a big nut type thing under the top that holds it on - then the pressure regulator keeps it from coming off. I don't think I want to remove that thing. Last time I did one I had a shaft hit the ceiling... Miss L and I looked the rest of the machine over and discovered that the motor cord was melted - someone must have used liquid wrench on it or something - it was a nearly a puddle. So Miss L and I took the motor off and looked at how I was going to fix that. The wires are soldered on, Glenn. Then we 'discovered' a PINK - yes Rodney came with a PINK foot control poor Rodney - how embarrassing... Then I messed with 2 Singer 306 machines. Those will hot rod too. They have cool knobs and levers but they just aren't two tone and BLUE - just only godzilla brown. So I tested a New Home and a White - it was missing a bobbin winder - I stuck one from a donor on there. So much for my plans to get the Kenmore machines fixed. Oh and Joe, I messed with that Good Housekeeper I got at GW, Joe - Melinda I might need a manual - all but one knob seems to work now. Is that suppose to have a clear plastic cover over the front? Seems a bit wonky. We tested out every type of old cam I have in the place - nada... none fit. The one Kenmore I started with - one knob still frozen up. I'm thinking I might buy myself a Dremmel tool for my birthday.

Sure good to see Charlee around again and Trish & Pat too.


BoJangles 11-19-2012 06:54 PM


Originally Posted by Glenn (Post 5667098)
Cathy thank you for the info on my HC. It is a pretty thing. Something told me it was a New Home. The SN is 3668651
Skip

It would be so cool if these old machines could tell their stories! I bet it was smuggled in . . . . or maybe came with a war bride!

Nancy

BoJangles 11-19-2012 06:59 PM


Originally Posted by Charlee (Post 5668035)
Sorry for being MIA again...seems that life wants me to keep busy!! :D My oldest son and his wife have come home to "roost" for a bit, so I don't get much computer time. I've also been busy with another activity...and that occupies quite a bit of time...and trying as well to get a few things done for the holidays...

Jan, I was so sorry to hear of your husband's passing...wish I could be there to give you a big hug!

I'll try to be around more often...I really miss you guys!

Charlee, we miss you too - it has been pretty quiet around here lately!

Nancy

BoJangles 11-19-2012 07:01 PM


Originally Posted by miriam (Post 5668443)
I picked up a 'Rodney' sewing machine - made in Japan - looks like 1960s two tone blue with some nice knobs and buttons on it. I've been trying to figure out how to get the top off. No pic yet - GKs showed up. The bigger kids watched a video so my helpers were Miss L and Wilbur. Wilbur had to tear himself away and 'help' grandpa cook chicken on the grill. They love it at the shop - all kinds of dangerous chemicals, grease, oil, heavy sewing machines - tiny parts - Q-TIPS! yeah Q-TIPS! - buy stock youall.... Anyway. As I was pondering the 'Rodney' Miss L my 'helper' comes in and wants to know what I'm doing. So I explained it to her and she sat and looked and looked - we didn't get it off - we did figure out how to get it loose. That machine all oiled up is slick! I'm thinking Rodney will hot rod! It will do zz and FM and ss - that's it. It just looks like it ought to sew itself. So in comes Walter and Wilbur - where do they head - straight for 'Rodney' So many buttons and knobs!!! Screwdrivers. Wow and it is a BLUE sewing machine!!! Do all guys grow up with knobs and buttons on their brains? The top of that machine and the nose is all one piece - there is a big nut type thing under the top that holds it on - then the pressure regulator keeps it from coming off. I don't think I want to remove that thing. Last time I did one I had a shaft hit the ceiling... Miss L and I looked the rest of the machine over and discovered that the motor cord was melted - someone must have used liquid wrench on it or something - it was a nearly a puddle. So Miss L and I took the motor off and looked at how I was going to fix that. The wires are soldered on, Glenn. Then we 'discovered' a PINK - yes Rodney came with a PINK foot control poor Rodney - how embarrassing... Then I messed with 2 Singer 306 machines. Those will hot rod too. They have cool knobs and levers but they just aren't two tone and BLUE - just only godzilla brown. So I tested a New Home and a White - it was missing a bobbin winder - I stuck one from a donor on there. So much for my plans to get the Kenmore machines fixed. Oh and Joe, I messed with that Good Housekeeper I got at GW, Joe - Melinda I might need a manual - all but one knob seems to work now. Is that suppose to have a clear plastic cover over the front? Seems a bit wonky. We tested out every type of old cam I have in the place - nada... none fit. The one Kenmore I started with - one knob still frozen up. I'm thinking I might buy myself a Dremmel tool for my birthday.

Sure good to see Charlee around again and Trish & Pat too.

Miriam, I hope you are documenting some of this stuff for the kids to read when they grow up! They must love coming to Grandma's house!

Nancy

BoJangles 11-19-2012 07:06 PM

Talking of Grandkids, I just bought my 17 year old granddaughter a Pfaff 1222e, from the late 70's! I gave her a choice of the vintage Pfaff 1222e or a new plastic machine from Costco! She wanted the vintage machine that is not a computer! She has used my 1222e a lot and loves the machine! I didn't mind spending the money at all for the vintage Pfaff - that machine is so well made! She will have it for as long as she wants it! The best part is that I can help her with any problems she has understanding the machine because I have had mine since 1976, and it is still one of my go to machines!

Nancy

Glenn 11-19-2012 07:21 PM

Nancy, it would be very interesting if the old girls could talk. I like you would love to know the stories behind some of them.
Skip

blueheavenfla 11-19-2012 08:55 PM

Now Miriam, Good ole Rodney surely isn't embarrassed about a pink foot control. Everyone knows that a good blue (male) machine needs a good pink (female) controller to keep him in line. You know, kinda like the humans...every man needs a good female to keep him in line...oops, I mean HAPPY.

MimiBug123 11-20-2012 12:32 AM


Originally Posted by hisgrace1 (Post 5664915)
I just came upon this thread and Have read several of the posts. I am wondering do you all really quilt on the old sewing machines? Or do you purchase them to restore and sit around the house...I think they are beautiful....Can you post pictures of quilts that you have made....

Most of us do use them for quilting, as well as sewing projects. I have a featherweight that I love for piecing, a 15-91 tha is a dream to FMQ with, a 1907 SInger 27 that sews anything and everything, a 1925 Singer 66 that sews the most beautiful straight stitches...and the list goes on. It's quite addicting, you know.

MimiBug123 11-20-2012 12:37 AM


Originally Posted by Glenn (Post 5585854)
Joe we have those people around here to they must be relatives. Like you I get upset over stuff like this and it makes me mad but know it should not be my concern what other people do. Stupidity is right
Skip

Like Judge Judy says, "Beauty's only skin deep, but stupid goes clear through."


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:58 AM.