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

I have been told it was unusual... This is the second one I've actually seen.

Hi Steve,

Fascinating machine. You really should post this on the W&W Yahoo Group. I'm sure Miller et al would be thrilled to see it as I don't believe I've noticed another like it.

Jon

TOTAL Forehead smack...... On it.

Well, now you’ve seen one more. I finally got around to scanning an image of mine...

CD in Oklahoma

Such a beautiful and interesting machine! I'm sorry our generation(s) have to live with plastic and fake wood for decorations. Although plastic is useful in its own place.

Nice picture! Great lighting. I had a dickens of a time trying to photograph mine.

(I laid it on the scanner and threw a towel over it....)

CD in Oklahoma

LOLOLOLOL OK, the IT manager just got schooled in the proper use of IT equipment haha! Thanks!

I have one "opps" and one correct.

I thought you'd get a charge out of that Steve. (hehehe)

CD in Oklahoma

ok folks, after all of the grief (documented in the sit a spell thread) the treadle for this rare beauty finally arrived. (Actually, I had to go rescue it from the clutches of UPS myself)

The seller did not follow my directions so well, but they clearly tried...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502107[/ATTACH]

The bottom edge of the drawer box was struck pretty hard. One side of the base molding was snapped off and in half, the back molding was off and one of the lower drawer rails was laying in the bottom of the bubble wrap.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502108[/ATTACH]

the bottom corner of the front molding was snapped off as well.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502109[/ATTACH]

It went back together really well, and is not very noticeable at all.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502110[/ATTACH]

It has a "cute" little drip tray
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502117[/ATTACH]

and this cool stamp
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502118[/ATTACH]

this treadle has a feature that I have never seen (I know huh?) It is the two really weird looking hinges
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502112[/ATTACH]

it is a spring loaded, tension adjustable set of back dropleaf hinges
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502111[/ATTACH]

here it is assembled
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502119[/ATTACH]

and lifted..
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502120[/ATTACH]

Really basic looking pedal but some of the goldwork is still visible
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502121[/ATTACH]

That's interesting, SteveH! Glad it didn't receive further damage.

CD in Oklahoma

all together and the head is back "home"
[ATTACH=CONFIG]502122[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]502123[/ATTACH]

Very nice Steve! I love that back extension table. It seems like a feature that should have been carried over to other more modern machines. I don't think it's possible to have too big of a work surface.
Rodney

I was wondering if there was a number "stamped" on the bottom. This is on an "oops" box.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]537406[/ATTACH]

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

You do such beautiful work. Thank you!!!!


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Congratulations on finding this fine W&W and the work you did on it. The No. 8 is my favorite machine aesthetically; I like its no-nonsense but pleasing design. Miller will enjoy seeing it, I'm sure. (Say "hello" to him from me - I don't get out much these days.)

Question about the bobbin-access plate (wood) to the left of the needle plate. Does it look original or is it a replacement? I ask because mine has a little scoop cut out of it for easy removal. The wood seems to match pretty well; maybe it's a pre-scoop design?

yes, That insert is original. This machine was probably made within the first month of the #8 production. It has a LOT of uniqueness.. (Note: this was originally posted in December of LAST year... hehe)

I will check the stamp on the Oops box tonight.

I think we should revisit your No. 8 every year about this time!

That machine is just beautiful!

I had learned about the "oops" box here and thought it would be a good place to ask about the stamp on the bottom. I'm wondering if it was associated with a particular machine and/or time period. I know the boxes are often separated from the machines, as mine is. I suppose, too, that like blackside singer attachments and parts could have gone with different machines over a number of years.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Love that machine, I haven't seen one is such great condition before. I have an oops box but by looking really closely at it it looks like the grain of the wood makes it look backwards. I don't have any stamps underneath on my box.

I just checked my oops box and my plain top and neither of them have anything stamped into to bottom.

Thanks for checking. Now I can retire -- it must be an extremely rare "oops" box with the inspector's number stamped on it. Drat, probably NOT. Nice thought while it lasted.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.