Wheeler & Wilson #8 - 4 digit serial number and Oops box....
 

Hey folks,

This last week and weekend has been very busy and stressful, but in the midst of all of the chaos and drama, this arrived on Saturday morning and made the day a whole lot nicer...

This is a Wheeler & Wilson #8 head and accessories box. (I am trying to work out arrangements with the seller to get the rest of the treadle that went with it) These were purchased by the sellers MIL several years ago. We have no way of knowing if the box was original to the machine or "bundled" by previous owners.

Previous books written about he W&W#8 state that Wheeler & Wilson did not add bed ornamentation to the #8 because "they would just wear off anyway". I now have two #8 machines now that prove that false. I know of a few others owned by other collectors that show bed ornamentation as well. They are usually just the center design and mostly trashed (as W&W claimed would happen)

This is the lowest serial number I have seen on any #8. (I'd love to locate an earlier one)

The #8 was made in two formats, the early model (like this) which has a flat spring on the back that is the presser foot tension and the needle bar and presser bar are significantly larger in diameter than the later ones. It also has the stitch length controlled by a lever UNDER the bed rather than the later style where it is next to the pillar.

It is generally accepted that W&W #8's have two types of top tension springs, the early ones are flat metal coiled like a watch spring, the later design was a more typical wire spring. THIS machine has neither one. it is a simple nut , leather, and disk arrangement.

There was minor damage where it looked like someone jammed the presser foot into the needle plate bending both. I am sure it was before shipping because there was crud in the exposed area around the needle plate. I straightened both easily.

As arrived:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=492685&stc=1

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=492686&stc=1

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=492687&stc=1

After cleaning
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=492688&stc=1

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=492689&stc=1

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=492690&stc=1

Oh, and before I forget... here is the box of accessories that it came with
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=492691&stc=1

here is a closeup that shows the "oops" part.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=492692&stc=1

Nice looking machine Steve!
Rodney

Wow, a beautiful design. Its shape reminds me of an old pistol. And I like that the bar stabilizing the shank gets its own bit of raised iron in back, complete with a stripe. Nice box, too. :)

Steve,

Great job cleaning that old machine up. Your abilities just make me feel horribly inadequate.

Joe

look at the word "Sewing Machine" on the box carving (actually press molded) note the letter "N" in particular.

The "N" is backwards! Nice machine, BTW.

Cari

I feel like Joe. How do you clean them so fast and so good. I know "work" at it. I also see the patent date as April 1th. I guess that's how they used to write. So glad to see you SteveH.

I use Glenn's cleaning solution for the painted parts.
(CANNOT thank Glenn enough for this. It has replaced ALL of my other cleaning solutions for sewing machines)

I use Brasso, brass brush, and/or 0000 Steel wool for the metal parts.

This machine took about 2-3 hours to do the cleaning you see here. (I am too lazy to use any methods which take longer...hehe) I have not finished cleaning the underside, but I will tomorrow night.

BTW if anyone wants on of these "oops" Wheeler & Wilson Boxes, there is one in the northwest US now at http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/atq/4647307770.html (NO connection to me, just found while searching)

Is the reversed "N" all that unusual? Mine has it too.

CD in Oklahoma