Kittys

I have recently acquired a Bel Aire sewing maching, vintage unknown as of right now. I am excited to get it unpacked and see how she works but the foot pedal and receipt information is taped to the bed of the machine with plastic packing tape. The tape covers the throat area as well as the gold decals. I was able to get the foot pedal off but the tape also covers the gold decals. I am in need of advice. Thanks.

SteveH

most glues used in tape manufacture are heat sensitive. use a hair dryer to warm it up. it should not effect the decals unless you get it really hot.

Charlee

Sewing machine oil fixes a multitude of sins...soak the tape with oil it should come right off, tacky glue and all...

Kittys

Thanks, I used both the hair dryer and the sewing machine oil and the tape came off with minimal damage. I think it's a Bel Air 600 which looks just like a Singer 66. This morni g I cleaned up the machine, oiled her up and tried to run her. The motor smokes but more than that the the maching keeps running after the foot pedal lever is stopped. I had to unplug the machine. I took apart the foot pedal and some of the wires look odd. I want to check this out with someone more knowledgable than me about electricity. The machine will produce a nice stitch just using the hand wheel .

SteveH

question, does the Light work? If not, does it work when you press the foot pedal?

There are two plugs on a sewing machine base, one is "hot" all the time for the light, and the other is controlled by the foot pedal. I have plugged them in backwards before myself....

Kittys

Most got back from my neighbor's house who showed me how to reconnect the wires to the foot pedal. The motor powered on and off at his house. Light bulb is gone so I can't tell if it works or not. It's baby steps all the way with me.

chris_quilts

Is your Bel Air made in Occupied Japan? I ask because I have a Bel Air that was made there. She will sew through anything and when I am mending (yes, there's that word) DH's jeans, she is my go to machine because she can handle multiple thick layers and not break a needle or whine about the work load.

Mine is black with a case that has a green crocodile hide style finish on the outside. She came with a mummified mouse!

Chris