Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
03-23-2012, 05:32 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by DonnaQuilts
Thank you for placing yourself out there for us. It may be more interesting than you know.
I have a question about the black paint on the old Singers. I have a 201-2 and it seems to have clear coat of some kind on it. The clear coat is worn through in spots and the black paint is shiny under the coat. I was very careful when cleaning the machine so as to not damage the decals. I saw decals on Ebay under "Singer Decals". They don't have Red Eye decals yet though. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding 201-2s. I would like to purchase a shop manual, but don't know where to start to find one. If I knew which one to request, our library could get one from the Library of Congress or some other library and I could copy it. Do you know the best one to request?
I was so machine ignorant when I started, I thought I had bought a 99, and when we got it home to Tennessee, low and behold it was a 201-2. A sewing machine man chastised me for buying it and said I should have bought an 11.
I know the 201-2 has a 90 degree bend for the thread that the 11 doesn't have. The 11 is supposed to be better for free motion quilting. I haven't attempted that yet anyway. The cord was intermittent and we ordered another one, which should be here Monday or Tuesday. It has been fun to clean it up. It came with the art deco desk, which we are refinishing. It is mahogony. There was one earlier in the week on QB which was oak or maple. It is a cute sucker. I can't wait to get it all done and sew on it.
I am downloading all the 201-2 information and putting it in a notebook to keep with the machine. It will be there for the next generation. This machine should last another 80 years. It is so well built. One final question?
I read there is a fiber gear somewhere inside that can break. The only ones I see are steel? Is that true and do the fail? I was told to be careful with it and not try to sew ridiculous things like the state on Ebay.
Keep up the good work and we appreciate any knowlege you can impart to us to help take care of our mechanical friends.
Warm regards,
Donna
I have a question about the black paint on the old Singers. I have a 201-2 and it seems to have clear coat of some kind on it. The clear coat is worn through in spots and the black paint is shiny under the coat. I was very careful when cleaning the machine so as to not damage the decals. I saw decals on Ebay under "Singer Decals". They don't have Red Eye decals yet though. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding 201-2s. I would like to purchase a shop manual, but don't know where to start to find one. If I knew which one to request, our library could get one from the Library of Congress or some other library and I could copy it. Do you know the best one to request?
I was so machine ignorant when I started, I thought I had bought a 99, and when we got it home to Tennessee, low and behold it was a 201-2. A sewing machine man chastised me for buying it and said I should have bought an 11.
I know the 201-2 has a 90 degree bend for the thread that the 11 doesn't have. The 11 is supposed to be better for free motion quilting. I haven't attempted that yet anyway. The cord was intermittent and we ordered another one, which should be here Monday or Tuesday. It has been fun to clean it up. It came with the art deco desk, which we are refinishing. It is mahogony. There was one earlier in the week on QB which was oak or maple. It is a cute sucker. I can't wait to get it all done and sew on it.
I am downloading all the 201-2 information and putting it in a notebook to keep with the machine. It will be there for the next generation. This machine should last another 80 years. It is so well built. One final question?
I read there is a fiber gear somewhere inside that can break. The only ones I see are steel? Is that true and do the fail? I was told to be careful with it and not try to sew ridiculous things like the state on Ebay.
Keep up the good work and we appreciate any knowlege you can impart to us to help take care of our mechanical friends.
Warm regards,
Donna
I just read about the 'baby oil.' That is a great idea too!
There are only metal gears in that machine and it should last your kids and grandkids lifetimes if taken care of!
Nancy
Last edited by BoJangles; 03-23-2012 at 05:37 AM.
03-23-2012, 05:36 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by nurseknitsLaura
On cleaning filthy machines, I have some thoughts. I love a filthy frozen, free machine. I owe them a lot, because when it is already so bad, I am not afraid to work on it. The two clean and shiny machines I have bought were much less satisfying- nothing to do! My cleaning of machines got much more successful and had better results, with less decal loss, when i realized one thing: they didn't get that dirty in a day, and they weren't going to get clean in a day. Miz kaki has talked of covering a machine in baby oil and just letting it soak for a week before she even starts on it. I think that is a wise course. The old finishes seem to respond well to oil, we know for sure they were designed to tolerate oil, and once the dirt has loosened up, it is a simple matter o patient slow wiping with millions o cotton balls, or alternately, squares of quilt batting or old flannel sheets cut up small. You do want to go through a lot of cotton, as the dirt is abrasive, and so after the cotton is dirty, you toss it. I have had machines really transformed by patient cleaning, sometimes by three or four patient cleanings a week apart. They seem to continuously improve. These are just my thoughts and experiences, I am self taught and unschooled. But I have had results I find satisfying. Laura
Nancy
03-23-2012, 05:42 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by J Miller
I tested it fast, slow, in between. 6 stitches per inch to 30 stitches per inch. I think I got it.
At least I hope I do.
Now I'm wondering how the tension adjuster got so messed up. I don't remember taking it apart at all.
Ah the joys of toys.
Joe
At least I hope I do.
Now I'm wondering how the tension adjuster got so messed up. I don't remember taking it apart at all.
Ah the joys of toys.
Joe
Nancy
03-23-2012, 06:02 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by vintagemotif
Link to thread I posted on Replacing Wick on Singer 66-1.
One day I will learn to spell correctly. Title has wick spelled incorrectly...oh well...still trying to figure out how to correct the title.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...a-t183703.html
One day I will learn to spell correctly. Title has wick spelled incorrectly...oh well...still trying to figure out how to correct the title.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...a-t183703.html
Nancy
03-23-2012, 06:30 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northern CA near Sacramento
Posts: 1,107
Donna,
You mentioned the "red eye" decal, these only came on the Singer 66. The 201's decal were always a much plainer style, never that ornate. The fiber gear is the one on the backside of the handwheel. It is very durable. So don't worry about it.
Cathy
You mentioned the "red eye" decal, these only came on the Singer 66. The 201's decal were always a much plainer style, never that ornate. The fiber gear is the one on the backside of the handwheel. It is very durable. So don't worry about it.
Cathy
Originally Posted by DonnaQuilts
Thank you for placing yourself out there for us. It may be more interesting than you know.
I have a question about the black paint on the old Singers. I have a 201-2 and it seems to have clear coat of some kind on it. The clear coat is worn through in spots and the black paint is shiny under the coat. I was very careful when cleaning the machine so as to not damage the decals. I saw decals on Ebay under "Singer Decals". They don't have Red Eye decals yet though. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding 201-2s. I would like to purchase a shop manual, but don't know where to start to find one. If I knew which one to request, our library could get one from the Library of Congress or some other library and I could copy it. Do you know the best one to request?
I was so machine ignorant when I started, I thought I had bought a 99, and when we got it home to Tennessee, low and behold it was a 201-2. A sewing machine man chastised me for buying it and said I should have bought an 11.
I know the 201-2 has a 90 degree bend for the thread that the 11 doesn't have. The 11 is supposed to be better for free motion quilting. I haven't attempted that yet anyway. The cord was intermittent and we ordered another one, which should be here Monday or Tuesday. It has been fun to clean it up. It came with the art deco desk, which we are refinishing. It is mahogony. There was one earlier in the week on QB which was oak or maple. It is a cute sucker. I can't wait to get it all done and sew on it.
I am downloading all the 201-2 information and putting it in a notebook to keep with the machine. It will be there for the next generation. This machine should last another 80 years. It is so well built. One final question?
I read there is a fiber gear somewhere inside that can break. The only ones I see are steel? Is that true and do the fail? I was told to be careful with it and not try to sew ridiculous things like the state on Ebay.
Keep up the good work and we appreciate any knowlege you can impart to us to help take care of our mechanical friends.
Warm regards,
Donna
I have a question about the black paint on the old Singers. I have a 201-2 and it seems to have clear coat of some kind on it. The clear coat is worn through in spots and the black paint is shiny under the coat. I was very careful when cleaning the machine so as to not damage the decals. I saw decals on Ebay under "Singer Decals". They don't have Red Eye decals yet though. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding 201-2s. I would like to purchase a shop manual, but don't know where to start to find one. If I knew which one to request, our library could get one from the Library of Congress or some other library and I could copy it. Do you know the best one to request?
I was so machine ignorant when I started, I thought I had bought a 99, and when we got it home to Tennessee, low and behold it was a 201-2. A sewing machine man chastised me for buying it and said I should have bought an 11.
I know the 201-2 has a 90 degree bend for the thread that the 11 doesn't have. The 11 is supposed to be better for free motion quilting. I haven't attempted that yet anyway. The cord was intermittent and we ordered another one, which should be here Monday or Tuesday. It has been fun to clean it up. It came with the art deco desk, which we are refinishing. It is mahogony. There was one earlier in the week on QB which was oak or maple. It is a cute sucker. I can't wait to get it all done and sew on it.
I am downloading all the 201-2 information and putting it in a notebook to keep with the machine. It will be there for the next generation. This machine should last another 80 years. It is so well built. One final question?
I read there is a fiber gear somewhere inside that can break. The only ones I see are steel? Is that true and do the fail? I was told to be careful with it and not try to sew ridiculous things like the state on Ebay.
Keep up the good work and we appreciate any knowlege you can impart to us to help take care of our mechanical friends.
Warm regards,
Donna
03-23-2012, 07:09 AM
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 134
OK this is going to be a really silly question. I have been reading these posts everyday for quite sometime now, and waiting for the light bulb to go off about all the different numbers for these machines. (Bulb has not gone off) So with my head hung low, can someone explain where the numbers come from. Example: 201-2, 99, 66-1 ect. How do you know the number and not just the name of the machine? Can someone enlighten this old brain so I can understand what everyone is talking about!!!
03-23-2012, 07:26 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 6,442
Margie, Singer made different models of machines, that had different features. MANY are better at recognition than I am, but you learn to tell what model a machine is by the features it exhibits...
Sandman has a decent webpage that helps to identify Singer machines and some of their features:
http://www.sandman-collectibles.com/...r-machines.htm
Sandman has a decent webpage that helps to identify Singer machines and some of their features:
http://www.sandman-collectibles.com/...r-machines.htm
03-23-2012, 07:34 AM
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: sf bay area, california
Posts: 93
Originally Posted by BoJangles
Donna, that clear coat is called the 'japan' finish.
http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/r...cles_117.shtml
pat
03-23-2012, 07:39 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,972
The "japan" is not the clear coat of the machine, but the black coating on the machine. Over the japan is a clear coat.
japan |jəˈpan|
noun
a hard, dark, enamellike varnish containing asphalt, used to give a black gloss to metal objects.
• a kind of varnish in which pigments are ground, typically used to imitate lacquer on wood.
• articles made in a Japanese style, esp. when decorated with lacquer or enamellike varnish.
japan |jəˈpan|
noun
a hard, dark, enamellike varnish containing asphalt, used to give a black gloss to metal objects.
• a kind of varnish in which pigments are ground, typically used to imitate lacquer on wood.
• articles made in a Japanese style, esp. when decorated with lacquer or enamellike varnish.
03-23-2012, 07:47 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,972
Originally Posted by DonnaQuilts
Keep up the good work and we appreciate any knowlege you can impart to us to help take care of our mechanical friends.
Warm regards,
Donna
Warm regards,
Donna
My best suggestion is to google for information on sewing machines, Singer, Singer 201, Singer 66, Singer decals, etc., and start reading what is on the internet. There is such a wealth of information that can be found on the internet. There are free copies of Singer manuals that can be copied from net.
Please also feel free to post photos of your machines here and any projects that you have made using that machine!!
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