World Rotary Restoration
 

My DH just picked up my first vintage treadle, a World's Rotary. The serial number is FR 7030586. The guy he got it from says its from 1912. It has been sitting in his shed for about three years, but before that it was very well kept. We are planing to restore it this year. How to you suggest getting the rust off and what's the best type of grease to use? It needs a new belt. It came with at least eight bobbins and an instructions manual, plus many attachments, some of which I don't think even belong to this machine. I'm very excited but almost nervous about restoring it! I've never restored any machines before. I would love any suggestions!

Use oil on this model, no need for grease, and you might as well start right away. If that's the result of three years in a shed, it was this machines worst years ever. Poor thing! You have to take off all plates and covers, start polishing and scrubbing. There are various rust removing products available, but they can be a bit cumbersome to use since you can't have it touch the paint or decals. The chrome is gone in places, but the metal will shine up reasonably well with a good metal polish. When you start to oil, clean and use the machine; rust and grime will gradually dissolve and flush out from gears, joints and hinges. Some people would pick it completely appart, but it can be difficult. You will get far with steel wool, polish, dremel with felt tip, etc. Then start oiling, use the machine and keep on oiling and cleaning. Gradually it will improve. For cleaning and fixing up the exterior the sticky thread on restoring the japanning is a good one.

What pretty decals! A whole lot of sewing machine oil will do wonders for it.

Wow, 1912! That is two years before my parents were born. I hope you will be giving updates with pictures.

Congratulations. Fantastic that you have the manual, bobbins and accessories. My guess is that it probably is closer to a 1921 machine, but that is totally a guess.

It kind of looks like some of the decals may have silvered and consequently the finish coat is possibly compromised so be careful around the decals.

The decals on the bed look like
http://needlebar.org/cm/displayimage..._display_media
Another similar
http://needlebar.org/cm/displayimage..._display_media

Take lots of pictures if/when you take metal pieces off to polish. Do one area at a time. I have been known to not heed that advice and wished that I had. If that needle bar area is like the White machines of that era, I have heard rumors that it can be problematic getting it off and back together.

Lots of oil and plenty of patience are in order to bring it back to working order.

Other good resources for tips and hints can be found at
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...v-t167789.html
Cleaning and Reviving furniture(Sewing cabinets)

Enjoy the process. It really is a great feeling to get it all cleaned up and sewing again.

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

Thanks for the suggestions! Does anyone know how I can find out the model # so I can buy the correct belt? I was looking around online last night and I didn't seem to find out anything. I feel like this is going to be a huge project! It's such a shame it was stored in a shed.

There's only two types for treadles as far as I know, one slighly wider than the other. Domestic machine tend to run best on the more narrow leather belt according to some info, some times both types will work. You buy one length, cut it to size and clip or stitch it together; some carefully wind thread around the joint or use tape to make it run more even.

I would google your machine to find the belt. Also, someone on the board told mentioned Sewclassic at shop.sewclassic.com - they sell a lot of accessories and parts for vintage machines. I just bought a 1/4 foot and a few other things for my Singer Featherweight. Good prices. Everything is by email, no phone number listed. You can communicate by email and tell them what you need. The shop I used to get info on greasing and oiling my Featherweight is The Singer Featherweight Shop - they had a neat you tube. I know you don't have a Featherweight, but you could google on youtube on how to grease and oil your 1912 machine. I'm a visual learner and the youtube was a great help. Your machine will look beautiful once it's all done - just take it a step at a time.

This is a terrific machine! The FR serial number indicates a Family Rotary machine, and mine is my favorite machine out of 14 others. You may consider soaking the (non decal) rusted parts in vinegar overnight, then brushing off with water and a toothbrush, followed with a nice oil bath.

The bobbin case cover appears to be a replacement; they are often missing on FR machines. I eventually just started making them out of 1/16 plexiglas (easy to work with and lots of fun to watch the machine work).

I would Not recommend trying to remove the handwheel; it may be flared at the right end. An article on Treadle On mentioned a gentleman using a gear puller (!) to remove one, only to find out the wheel is not designed to come off the shaft left-to-right.

I love these machines. In spite of already having 15, I want another FR...I would gladly trade a Singer for one in decent condition!

I've seen several FR machines with square plates like this has, and then there is a wood insert that fits into the cutout instead of the more typical T shaped plate. I'm pretty sure I've got one of those wood inserts around somewhere.

I'd also lean more towards this being a 1920's machine instead of a 1912 machine. There is info somewhere about when White started using the "FR" in front of the serial numbers. Addiction -you come to SD and I'll give you one (or two) and you don't even need to trade for it.