miriam

Isn't it funny how sounds can stay with you? Wilbur is fascinated with the sound of his momma's serger. I asked her when it was oiled last... LOL I wonder if I taught him that though. We were working on a Kenmore and the thing sounded funny to me. I commented on it when I was oiling it and it quit. Wilbur picked up on sewing machine sounds - motor sounds - bobbin sounds - other sounds. Some machines don't have much sound some sound like a freight train. I was using Tri-Flow that day and now he thinks Tri-Flow will fix anything. By the way Bob the Builder is no longer Wilbur's hero. He has figured out that Bob the Builder doesn't fix or DO anything. Real people fix and do things. Farmers fix and do things. He thinks he is a farmer now. Oh and he turns 4 on Thursday. Hard to believe.

purplefiend

I love sewing with my Singers! I have Featherweights,a 301. The treadles are a 15,201,115 and 237. All of them sew very well.
Sharon

missgigglewings

Can someone tell me a little about a Singer 99K..good old machine or not worth the 40.00 asking price. It looks pretty and is in a nice case.

miriam

I like the old Singer 99s - pretty much goof proof - I usually get $50 for one all cleaned up and adjusted.

SteveH

I just got $50 for one....

frudemoo

Hi Jean - I know you're asking Miriam this but there might be a few different ways of doing it. As for the spring, if it's working and looks clean enough, I wouldn't touch it - but if it really needs cleaning my weapon of choice is a toothbrush. Kids ones are good. Also interdental toothbrushes are awesome but they are a little expensive here, not sure about in the US. I buy them because they literally grab all the stuff into their bristles so if you're scrubbing with them, you don't have to worry about pushing gunk or lint further into the machine. I like to use oil or metal polish where possible on japanned machines but if it's really gunky I use isopropyl alcohol and you have to cover all of the machine finish to protect it, especially if you're using it with a toothbrush because it's hard to control the spray. I think if you're really careful and patient then it's fine, but I have to put in the disclaimer that it's generally not recommended to use IA on any machine where you want to protect the finish - at the very least, to guard against accidental damage.

It's good to take everything that comes off easily with a screw, like that little tag on the 28. I went out and bought two sizes of screw driver that are better quality ones with nice, fine blades on them as the screws on older sewing machines often have a very skinny slot to put the blade of the screwdriver into. Just make sure you're not working on a decking or floorboards that have gaps between the boards, or near a floor vent....... just in case I always just take photos if I'm taking something apart, step by step - or line up the parts in the order I took them off. I also use a container with little compartments (like a tackle box) to put the part and the screw(s) that go together in each compartment. I've learned so much taking things apart and putting them back together and it's been really fun!

miriam

Hey I did not give a good answer to that did I. You can unscrew the pressure screw, pull the spring out and clean every thing. You WILL need an adjuster's manual to set the pressure screw again though.

frudemoo

Now THAT sounds like fun! LOL

miriam

It isn't a whole lot of fun if you don't know how it is suppose to go back together... getting it apart is a job Wilbur could do but I won't let him. If that spring decides to take off.... just saying... better have protective eye wear....

QuiltingVagabond

I have been hanging out in this section of QB for a while now and really enjoy the way you all share info and pictures.

I wanted to tell you a story though... one time I asked a Singer dealer/service rep how to get training on sewing machine repair. I was probably in my late 20s, had been sewing for half my life at that point and had no career other than raising my babies. He told me "it really wasn't the kind of job for a woman" and basically blew me off. Thinking back, he probably just didn't want any competition. But clearly he was WRONG! LOL