Featherweight in need of TLC
01-31-2012, 11:34 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: TX
Posts: 289
Featherweight in need of TLC
I have just bought a featherweight and a 301 at an estate sale. They both run.They are both in pretty good shape. The lady who owned them was a quilter and a seamstress. Her DD wanted the fancy machines and left the oldies for the sale. Now , they are really clean but the lady had not been able to sew for awhile. I am thinking they may need some oil. Anything else?
01-31-2012, 11:42 AM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 206
Didn't have the time to sew, or wasn't able to period? I would recommend opening it up (take off the oil pan) and picking out all the lint that's probably jammed up there. Lubricate (not oil!) the motor, check the wiring to make sure it's whole without any breaks or holes or loose cables. Check the belt--no more than an inch and a half of give when you pull gently on it. Make sure the lightbulb is firmly in the socket, and isn't burnt out. A machine may look all pretty, but you shouldn't take any chances (see: the quilter who was getting shocked by her FW!).
02-01-2012, 08:16 AM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Owensboro, KY
Posts: 1,420
Replace the felt in the bottom of her because that smells from the oil drips over time and check the rubber feet to see if they need replacing. Good oiling and lube, new needle ...that's all I can think of. Can't believe she left the best behind for someone else treasure. She didn't know what she was doing did she?
02-01-2012, 10:25 AM
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 246
02-01-2012, 08:56 PM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
You can download a manual for the 310 from sew-classic or Ismacs that has a couple of pages on cleaning, oiling and lubing. Oil her often if you use her heavily, but don't lubicate the gears (use Singer lube) any more than the book says - I think every six months. Mine was supposed to be serviced before she was shipped, but I found a lot of packed lint in the bobbin area, plus the machine was very dry. I'm still looking for another 301.
02-02-2012, 07:25 AM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 1,775
Congratulations!! Which color is the 301?
Check out Dave McCullam's website: http://www.featherweight221.com/fwrx/index.html
He has some good advice on his blog and I highly recommend his book. Worth every penny. I also have his DVD set and it has a section on the 301's.
Check out Dave McCullam's website: http://www.featherweight221.com/fwrx/index.html
He has some good advice on his blog and I highly recommend his book. Worth every penny. I also have his DVD set and it has a section on the 301's.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Janstar
Blocks of the Month and Week
70
10-30-2011 06:07 AM
zyxquilts
Pictures
19
06-01-2008 08:17 PM
