Singer 500A "Rocketeer" complete restoration
11-10-2019, 07:05 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Southern Minnesota
Posts: 4,362
Gasped when I saw all those pieces and could finally breathe again when I read you got it all back together! Whew! I have a Rocketeer 500A too! Want to get it running better...mine is unusually slow. Found a crack in the bottom of the foot pedal, so I replaced the foot pedal and wires. Still running slow. I think if I just just it more and keep it oiled it will loosen up. (fingers crossed).
11-10-2019, 07:28 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,355
Gasped when I saw all those pieces and could finally breathe again when I read you got it all back together! Whew! I have a Rocketeer 500A too! Want to get it running better...mine is unusually slow. Found a crack in the bottom of the foot pedal, so I replaced the foot pedal and wires. Still running slow. I think if I just just it more and keep it oiled it will loosen up. (fingers crossed).
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
11-10-2019, 08:11 AM
#15
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Yucaipa, Ca
Posts: 82
Hi everyone,
I thought you might like to see photos from my complete restoration of a Singer 500A. It's just such a gorgeous machine. I'm pretty sure it was sitting in a portable case for many decades, out of the light and safe from moisture, before it came to me.
I knew it would at least need heavy lubrication and cleaning, but when I discovered the YouTube channel AndyTube, with its encyclopedic library of Singer restoration and maintenance videos, I was inspired to do a complete teardown and overhaul.
(AndyTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUS...tRoz1VA2U1xJ4w)
Here is "Bernadette" in the Singer Spinet "trapezoid" case that I previously posted about, having modified it to be able to accept a 500A (it was designed for a 301).
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619466[/ATTACH]
The four motors I had to choose from. One came out of my machine, another from another machine (the backup!), and the remaining two from separate purchases.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619467[/ATTACH]
Total teardown of the PA 10-8 motor, including removing (driving out violently!) the commutator shaft from the bearing housed in the aluminum casing at right.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619468[/ATTACH]
Pressure-fitting the new bearing onto the commutator shaft, with thanks to Neighbor Dave for the use of the pipe clamps, without which I would have had to locate a hydraulic press somewhere!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619469[/ATTACH]
The vibrating bracket assembly completely disassembled -- this is what swings the needle for zig-zags and patterns.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619470[/ATTACH]
The needle bar driving arm rubber-banded in place along with the rest of the pattern selector assembly, missing the cam stack
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619471[/ATTACH]
The pattern selector assembly parts removed -- this was the part that made me the most nervous.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619472[/ATTACH]
Washing day! Literally in the sink with grease remover and water, followed by chasing rust, drying, grease, then oil.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619473[/ATTACH]
All 186 removed parts arranged roughly geographically; they were otherwise stored by groups in plastic zipper bags to keep them organized.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619474[/ATTACH]
It was quite an adventure, and now (I promise) all the parts are back where they should be, lubricated properly, and singing beautifully! I couldn't have done it without Andy!
Cheers,
Matt
I thought you might like to see photos from my complete restoration of a Singer 500A. It's just such a gorgeous machine. I'm pretty sure it was sitting in a portable case for many decades, out of the light and safe from moisture, before it came to me.
I knew it would at least need heavy lubrication and cleaning, but when I discovered the YouTube channel AndyTube, with its encyclopedic library of Singer restoration and maintenance videos, I was inspired to do a complete teardown and overhaul.
(AndyTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUS...tRoz1VA2U1xJ4w)
Here is "Bernadette" in the Singer Spinet "trapezoid" case that I previously posted about, having modified it to be able to accept a 500A (it was designed for a 301).
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619466[/ATTACH]
The four motors I had to choose from. One came out of my machine, another from another machine (the backup!), and the remaining two from separate purchases.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619467[/ATTACH]
Total teardown of the PA 10-8 motor, including removing (driving out violently!) the commutator shaft from the bearing housed in the aluminum casing at right.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619468[/ATTACH]
Pressure-fitting the new bearing onto the commutator shaft, with thanks to Neighbor Dave for the use of the pipe clamps, without which I would have had to locate a hydraulic press somewhere!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619469[/ATTACH]
The vibrating bracket assembly completely disassembled -- this is what swings the needle for zig-zags and patterns.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619470[/ATTACH]
The needle bar driving arm rubber-banded in place along with the rest of the pattern selector assembly, missing the cam stack
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619471[/ATTACH]
The pattern selector assembly parts removed -- this was the part that made me the most nervous.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619472[/ATTACH]
Washing day! Literally in the sink with grease remover and water, followed by chasing rust, drying, grease, then oil.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619473[/ATTACH]
All 186 removed parts arranged roughly geographically; they were otherwise stored by groups in plastic zipper bags to keep them organized.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619474[/ATTACH]
It was quite an adventure, and now (I promise) all the parts are back where they should be, lubricated properly, and singing beautifully! I couldn't have done it without Andy!
Cheers,
Matt
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11-10-2019, 08:30 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,890
I have 2 401s and 2 503s. All were purchased used. They vary greatly in their speed and quietness. I bought my first 503 from a gentleman who had donated it to his church for a sewing class. When the class folded, it was returned to him. I bought it out of his backyard shed. I finally got tired of messing with it as my primary sewer and replaced it with a 401. I bought my second 503 at an estate sale on the final day. It hums perfectly.
The performance of these machines depend a lot on how they've been treated. My second 401 runs better than the first one. The first one was really stuck together from what appeared to be a once well oiled machine that was left in storage for years. Even thought I cleaned on it for a couple of weeks, it's never been as good as the second one.
That's just my experience with these machines.
bkay
The performance of these machines depend a lot on how they've been treated. My second 401 runs better than the first one. The first one was really stuck together from what appeared to be a once well oiled machine that was left in storage for years. Even thought I cleaned on it for a couple of weeks, it's never been as good as the second one.
That's just my experience with these machines.
bkay
Last edited by bkay; 11-10-2019 at 08:31 AM. Reason: grammar, once again
11-10-2019, 08:41 PM
#17
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 60
Thanks QuiltMom2! For the looks I can't take full credit -- it really seems to have been in a case and kept out of light and dust for most of its life. The colors are really quite vibrant!
Womp, womp, too late, luvstoquilt. My first was a 15- from 1954, years ago. It took until I met the Rocketeer to bite, but I also have a ... few others. Mostly really really old : )
Thank you J3General!! It did run, but sounded gunky. I suspect a normal cleaning and lube would have been sufficient, but I saw AndyTube's videos, and the challenge of understanding the function of every part got the better of me. I think it runs pretty well now and sews beautifully, though I'm struggling with some adjustments, mostly around tension.
Remember, Mavis, grease for gears and oil for everything else! The foot pedal is often a culprit. I find the machine labors a bit on the pattern stitches... the motor really isn't supposed to be lubricated but I agree with Janey that those old bearings can get gummy, and short of replacing them (not an option for most) anything you can do is probably better than nothing.
But yes, I held my breath for weeks! There were some nights (particularly with the pattern assembly) when I stared at the machine and said "I can't!" until I just jumped in. I took a lot of photos and notes along the way, and that along with the service manual and the AndyTube videos made sure I could get back to "home base."
So interesting bkay, and I'm finding that I'm worried this machine may just be a bit of a slow runner. The bit I haven't mentioned yet is like a quote out of the movie Contact where John Hurt's SR Hadden tells Jodie Foster's Eleanor Arroway about the existence of a *second machine* -- "Why buy one when you can have two at twice the price?" I have a second 500 and the colors are a bit more faded, but I'm going to run it a bit and see if I need to repeat my teardown. In the end I'm really after the best performance.
Gasped when I saw all those pieces and could finally breathe again when I read you got it all back together! Whew! I have a Rocketeer 500A too! Want to get it running better...mine is unusually slow. Found a crack in the bottom of the foot pedal, so I replaced the foot pedal and wires. Still running slow. I think if I just just it more and keep it oiled it will loosen up. (fingers crossed).
But yes, I held my breath for weeks! There were some nights (particularly with the pattern assembly) when I stared at the machine and said "I can't!" until I just jumped in. I took a lot of photos and notes along the way, and that along with the service manual and the AndyTube videos made sure I could get back to "home base."
I have 2 401s and 2 503s. All were purchased used. They vary greatly in their speed and quietness. I bought my first 503 from a gentleman who had donated it to his church for a sewing class. When the class folded, it was returned to him. I bought it out of his backyard shed. I finally got tired of messing with it as my primary sewer and replaced it with a 401. I bought my second 503 at an estate sale on the final day. It hums perfectly.
The performance of these machines depend a lot on how they've been treated. My second 401 runs better than the first one. The first one was really stuck together from what appeared to be a once well oiled machine that was left in storage for years. Even thought I cleaned on it for a couple of weeks, it's never been as good as the second one.
That's just my experience with these machines.
bkay
The performance of these machines depend a lot on how they've been treated. My second 401 runs better than the first one. The first one was really stuck together from what appeared to be a once well oiled machine that was left in storage for years. Even thought I cleaned on it for a couple of weeks, it's never been as good as the second one.
That's just my experience with these machines.
bkay
So interesting bkay, and I'm finding that I'm worried this machine may just be a bit of a slow runner. The bit I haven't mentioned yet is like a quote out of the movie Contact where John Hurt's SR Hadden tells Jodie Foster's Eleanor Arroway about the existence of a *second machine* -- "Why buy one when you can have two at twice the price?" I have a second 500 and the colors are a bit more faded, but I'm going to run it a bit and see if I need to repeat my teardown. In the end I'm really after the best performance.
11-12-2019, 11:49 AM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: near Topeka kansas
Posts: 4,524
So impressed with what you have done here. And I have rebuilt 4 barrel carbs. I love the picture with all the parts you took off laid out. I haven't made out underbed pieces here. Am I just jaded by my older models, or are they still on the head.? Bearing or busing on the commutator shaft? Fascinating.
11-12-2019, 04:47 PM
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 60
So impressed with what you have done here. And I have rebuilt 4 barrel carbs. I love the picture with all the parts you took off laid out. I haven't made out underbed pieces here. Am I just jaded by my older models, or are they still on the head.? Bearing or busing on the commutator shaft? Fascinating.
As for the bearing, I used MRC 37FF (https://www.motionindustries.com/pro...p?sku=00039888) that I bought from my "bearing guy" Jon -- one of the many folks I've made lovely connections with surrounding the need for parts or tools for this project. Replacing it was harrowing. I had to pound the shaft down through the old bearing until it popped out, remove the bearing from the silver aluminum half of the motor housing, press the new bearing back into that housing with the aid of washers that matched the size of the outer race, and then -- this is the craziest part -- locate sections of metal cuffing that were wide enough to fit snugly around the shaft but small enough only to contact the *inner* race, so I wouldn't stress the bearing by applying opposing pressure to the two races. I found the stuff at Bolt Depot, one of my favorite suppliers. You can see two of the metal collars taped together in the pipe clamps photo. I had to have them in sections so I could press the bearing onto the shaft in increments.
Actually I didn't *have* to do any of this -- the old bearing was spinning nicely and I suspect that even though they're not supposed to be re-lubricated, the fact that it's only piloting the shaft rather than actually bearing any weight means a little re-lubrication would have worked fine. But I'm sometimes a perfectionist and wanted to feel that my 500A was the best it could be. I also love a mechanical challenge!
11-13-2019, 07:43 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: near Topeka kansas
Posts: 4,524
My hat is off to you, sir. I once torched a bearing off a rear axle on a 66 Chevy. then I still had to take the axle to a press to get the new one on. isn't it fun to learn?
I have an ol d VS White where I suspect some heavy handed person put a puller on the rim of the balance wheel to try to get it off. Of coure, it broke. Glad you are so patient.
I have an ol d VS White where I suspect some heavy handed person put a puller on the rim of the balance wheel to try to get it off. Of coure, it broke. Glad you are so patient.
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