MimiBug123

I am so excited!!! I just received my first FW. She is in great shape and appears to be from 1947. Even the case is good. I've been like an expectant mother awaiting her arrival. Every time I heard a car, I'd think it might be the mail man and I'd run to the door. She is here and unpacked, and the light bulb apparently got broken during shipping. There are few shards hanging out of the socket. Question is, how do I get the little thingy that held the glass part out? I think I probably have a bulb that will fit her, but I need to get that broken part out. Any suggestions?

Tartan

I don't know if it will work on a sewing machine lightbulb but I have removed a broken bulb for a lamp with a peeling knife and pliers. First unplug from power, then slip the narrow knife tip in between the metal ring and the socket. Turn the knife a bit until you get a piece of the metal to bend in a little. This will allow you to grasp the metal rim with the needle nose pliers and carefully persuade the socket to turn out.

pinkCastleDH

I've had good luck using a rag stuffed into the broken bulb. Sometimes I can just turn it by hand, sometimes I push a pair of needlenose pliers in to the rag - spread - and turn the pliers. I just got to wondering if some hot glue would allow you to easily attach something to use as a handle.

misskira

With these bulbs you have to push in and turn, not just unscrew. I would keep it unplugged and use pliers inside to be toy push and twist. Not gripping anything, just put in closed and open so the pliers rest against the edge of the bulb. Maybe with a small bit of rag in it as well.

MimiBug123

Thanks guy! I got it out and a new one put in. Just sews away and sounds charming. I am so excited. The case is in excellent condition, as well, considering that it is 65 years old. It doesn't even smell horrible--just like oil, a little. Going to put a bar of safeguard in and see if that helps!

Caroline S

MimiBug, replacing the oil pad under the machine should remove the old oil smell. Turn your new baby upside down, unscrew the black knob and remove the oil pan. I betcha that old oil pad is the smell culprit. After removing the oil pad wipe the pan down with kerosene to remove all vestiges of old oil and let it dry. Replacement pads are available on the Internet and one of the cheaper fixes. I have made my own using scraps of thin cotton batting using the old pad as a pattern.

nanna-up-north

Congrats on your FW.... you'll be in love in no time.

MimiBug123

Thank you all! Caroline, I am going to replace it. I have some batting scraps, as well as some thick felt, so I think I'll try both and see which works better. It's been in storage for a long time, so I'm afraid to use it too much without oiling and greasing it up. The only grease I have are tubes that came with machines, so I'm afraid to use that. Do you suppose it will be okay to put that in them. It's the old green tubes in the green Singer boxes.

judys

Best smell remover I've found is coffee grounds. I had a spoiled onion and a spoiled potato in my cupboard. WHEW! Put a little coffee grounds (unused) on a paper plate in the bottom of the cupboard and it worked GREAT!

MimiBug123

Thanks, Judy. I'll give that a try. It's not an offensive smell, but is noticeable. My 86 yo FIL owns a garage and it smells like him when he comes home from work. It's sort of a comforting smell to me! LOL!