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-   -   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)

vintagemotif 01-25-2011 04:07 PM

[quote=Miz Johnny]

Originally Posted by BoJangles

The National pictured was cleaned with GoJo (no pumice) and waxed with Armour All; using 3 coats and letting it dry completely between coats. I have never had any trouble using GoJo on heads, but obviously, I am careful when cleaning. The first machine I cleaned up, a Red Eye (and unfortunately, a family machine) had a bit of decal damage, as I used some water on it. Not a good choice, and I never tried that again--but that was back before I knew how to go about it. I do believe that more damage is caused by aggressive cleaning than the cleaners themselves.
I also think there's more than one "good" way to clean, so if you have one and it works, then use it!! TR 3 is a good cleaner/polisher, but to me it takes forever. I have used it on more modern machines (from the 40s and 50s) with great results. Harry Berzack's curator uses a spray foam on all of the machines. I can't remember the name right off hand, but it makes most of us gasp. He says he has no trouble with it, though!!
Carter Bays doesn't clean his at all. His machines are complete with original spider webs. They aren't used, so I guess that makes sense. Whatever works.

Thank you Miz Johnny for this post. This is the information that is helpful, even if each machine is different and everyone doesn't their own method. I would stop now in my cleaning, but I wish to protect my decals since I plan on using my Davis. Otherwise I would be like Carter Bays, dirty machine with preserved decals.:)

BoJangles 01-25-2011 04:17 PM


Originally Posted by Grandmother23
This weekend I found a Spartan for $20 that says 192K on the thread stitch length area. The wheel turns, but that is all, nothing else. The lady wanted $55 for it. I can't get it out of the "bed" it is in to look for any numbers, not sure were to look. I bought 4 machines this weekend. A Spartan, a Wizard, a Singer 99K-, and Kenmore all for $90. Not certain if I paid too much, but I am learning. My sister gave me a Singer with the cabinet. Nothing special that I can tell yet. LOL And it all started with someone giving me a 99K in a cabinet last week.

Pictures later.

I found a Spartan at a garage sale last spring. Loved that little machine! I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. I gave my Spartan to a friend for her granddaughter to use! Is your 99K in a small cabinet? I also have one of those!

Did you unscrew the screw on the bottom of the case to try and get the Spartan out of the case? I don't remember my Spartan being a problem getting out of the case. It just sat in there. That machine is small but heavy! They are made to last, though, like all the old machines!

Congratulations on all your new toys!

Nancy

Grandmother23 01-25-2011 05:21 PM


Originally Posted by BoJangles

Originally Posted by Grandmother23
This weekend I found a Spartan for $20 that says 192K on the thread stitch length area. The wheel turns, but that is all, nothing else. The lady wanted $55 for it. I can't get it out of the "bed" it is in to look for any numbers, not sure were to look. I bought 4 machines this weekend. A Spartan, a Wizard, a Singer 99K-, and Kenmore all for $90. Not certain if I paid too much, but I am learning. My sister gave me a Singer with the cabinet. Nothing special that I can tell yet. LOL And it all started with someone giving me a 99K in a cabinet last week.

Pictures later.

I found a Spartan at a garage sale last spring. Loved that little machine! I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. I gave my Spartan to a friend for her granddaughter to use! Is your 99K in a small cabinet? I also have one of those!

Did you unscrew the screw on the bottom of the case to try and get the Spartan out of the case? I don't remember my Spartan being a problem getting out of the case. It just sat in there. That machine is small but heavy! They are made to last, though, like all the old machines!

Congratulations on all your new toys!

Nancy

Nancy thank you for the congrats and for telling me to look on the bottom. Never thought to do that. Stil learning. I see a big ole screw!!!!! On the bottom of the machine is: Simanco 33681
13
Did a little research and can't find much. Will keep looking.

irishrose 01-25-2011 05:37 PM

Thank you, everyone. I will try a Schmertz needle again. I'd rather use one because they are so much stronger.

BoJangles 01-25-2011 06:54 PM


Originally Posted by Miz Johnny

TR 3 is a good cleaner/polisher, but to me it takes forever. I have used it on more modern machines (from the 40s and 50s) with great results. Harry Berzack's curator uses a spray foam on all of the machines. I can't remember the name right off hand, but it makes most of us gasp. He says he has no trouble with it, though!!
Carter Bays doesn't clean his at all. His machines are complete with original spider webs. They aren't used, so I guess that makes sense. Whatever works.

Well Miz Johnny I understand why you say the TR3 seems to take forever! I have been working on my Redeye on and off all afternoon with the TR 3 Resin Glaze. I have really started to get a nice glow on the bed of that machine, but yes it is very time consumming. I am being very careful to go around my decals too as they are still in very good shape.

I have decided to put a light coat of the TR3 on all my machines just to protect the decals from futher damage. I am afraid that if I clean the machines with anything else, the decals will eventually get corroded.

Monica, you have been pretty quiet, but don't you think if we use sewing machine oil - and don't get all of it off - that eventually the oil will eat through the decals? I would think anything, even Liquid Gold sitting on the decals would eventually eat through? I really like the way the machines look when they are cleaned with sewing machine oil, but the oil attracts cat hair and makes the machines messy to use.

Cleaning with the TR3 is a lot of work, but once the cleaner wax coat is on the machine it is much easier to keep the machine clean. The machines don't attract dirt, hair, etc.

My thoughts -- any others have an opinion? Since I ruined the decals on my Davis, I am very leary of anything. Maybe, Carter Bays has the best idea!

Nancy

BoJangles 01-25-2011 07:19 PM

Billy, Miz Johnny or anyone else, would a bobbin winder for a Singer model 127 work on a Singer Model 27? I have a friend who needs a bobbin winder for her 27 and there is a bobbin winder on E-bay for a 127. I thought the only difference between a 127 and 27 was where the bobbin winder in located, but does that make the bobbin winders different?

Nancy

kwendt 01-25-2011 07:27 PM

3 Attachment(s)
I so relate...

I just unearthed my Singer 66-16 (according to it's manual) and opened up the cabinet, got it set up to run. Still need to oil it first. I had had it serviced about 9 years ago, haven't sewed on it since. They redid all the electric.

Here's the kicker. I don't understand it. My S/N is AC746635, right in the middle of a run of 1929 66's it says according to the Singer website. Note in the last picture... that the last 2 digits of the SN are strange - they are not cut into the brass as deeply - very noticable. Why would that be. Almost looks like the last two digits were stamped into the brass by hand.

So the manual and the S/N both say, 66 BUT... there's no up/down lever with markings for the backtack/stitch length. Instead there's a big honking screw to adjust. Then I noticed that the bobbin winder affair is a big complicated mesh of gears that rides up by the wheel, and not down further as is on the 66-16. I thought, what??? That's not a 66-16, no matter what the manual says.

So I looked on sandman's site to identify. It looks like the 3/4 99-13... EXCEPT... it's got the 66-16 face plate (both flat and rounded, swirlies). Both machines (and mine) have the foot attachment screw on the side. And the D needle plate. I measured from the edge of the needle, along the bed, to the most inward edge of the column - it's 8" exactly, Full bed size is 14.5" x 7"deep (not including the black plate that fills in where (I guess) a treadle belt could be used... So that tends to be a full size bed - I think. Looks like a pristine Filligree pattern. See the pictures...

What the heck have I got here???? Some sort of weird hybrid? Thanks for the help!

sorry for the blurry pic - see screw and bobbin deal
[ATTACH=CONFIG]168174[/ATTACH]

Over all picture... there is a belt on the wheel
[ATTACH=CONFIG]168175[/ATTACH]

MarieM 01-25-2011 07:28 PM


Originally Posted by Lostn51

Originally Posted by purplefiend

Originally Posted by kwendt

Originally Posted by irishrose
so the 310 it is.

I had to buy Singer needles. My Schmetz seemed to have too thick a shank to fit the opening.


INTEReStING. So the Schmetz don't quite fit the 301. Well... that's good to know. I'm hoping to get a 301 in the cabinet, so that I can come and 'go' too. I just need something to transport her in. Like a case. May check out one of those soft side, cheapo rolling things like at Joannes. And sew up a set of fleece 'bags' for the contoller/footpedal, the attachments and a machine bag... to put it all in before stowing in the roll-e, poll-e.

Thanks for the tip!

I have never had any problems using Schmetz needles in my 301s. I wonder is there might be old dried oil in the needlebar and its causing the problem?

I use Schmetz needles in all of my machines including my 301 and never had an issue. Sounds like you have crud in the needlebar keeping the needle from getting set.

Billy

I've been told not to use Schmetz in my FW or my 66, so can I use them on my Singers?

Marie M.

tjradj 01-25-2011 07:36 PM

Ok, i have to confess. I am a turncoat. Bought a green grasshopper ELNA on eBay....... do you still love me?

kwendt 01-25-2011 07:43 PM


Originally Posted by tjradj
Ok, i have to confess. I am a turncoat. Bought a green grasshopper ELNA on eBay....... do you still love me?

I still think you're tops... and oh... you're not the only person on this thread with a 'grasshopper'.... lol


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