AnInspiredMess

Hi friends, just had to share my first vintage machine "resurrection" project. I didn't even (really) know I had this White rotary until yesterday. My dear dad bought this is machine / cabinet for me 25 years - and was so proud of his garage sale "find". At the time, I was so consumed with career and living on my own that I didn't even look at the machine. Over the years, it traveled with me but was just became a heavy "end-table". On our last move, my DH wanted to throw it away after he pulled out a filthy, indistinguishable sewing machine and complained about the weight. Somehow, it made its way to my sunroom.

Flash forward to 2019 - I've reconnected with my sewing/quilting roots and I'm dedicated to saving vintage machines. I've been collecting for the past 3 months, and remembered the gift from my dear dad just yesterday as we gathered for Easter. I opened her up last night, amazed that she's been patiently waiting for 25 years. I gathered the necessary tools and products to clean her up - and here she is! I have a line of Singers waiting for me, but this is my first attempt to "resurrect" - I think she looks pretty good! Might be a White Rotary 43? - cannot find much online about this model. Will need to find a presser foot, rubber motor pulley, and manual - I'm sure it can be done. My dad passed away 4 years ago, and I'm sad he isn't here to share in my joy in this machine. I have a feeling he knows I cleaned this beauty up today. Thanks for reading...if you're still here. I feel ready to move on to my other machines now!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]611957[/ATTACH]

MJTX

She looks very nice indeed! Well done! I'm sure that somewhere your dad is smiling proudly.
Check thevSew-Classic LLC website for a pulley, I think she carries them.
MJ

OurWorkbench

Thank you for showing us your machine. You did a fine job of spiffing it up.

I'm guessing you think it is a 43 because you found the serial number? We have 11, 41 and 43 White models. Their serial numbers begins with the model number then "X" and some more numbers. There are several threads about White Rotary machines here on QB. If you do a search on this page, I would suggest putting "White Rotary" in quotation marks. Unfortunately, the search function on QB has been on the fritz for a while. It will give you results and when you click on the link it will show blank posts. If you refresh the page, it will fill in. I think if you click on the links below, it will show properly without refreshing.
White Rotary 41 - Several Interesting Differences
"electric" White Rotary no. 43-18476
World Rotary Restoration


I think the manual can be found at http://www.singerco.com/uploads/down...c-book-13-.pdf At Least I have that file and named it with use for 41 and 43.

There are several feet that look like they will fit, but they might not work with your machine. The top clamp feet have different width of the slot that fits onto the bar. They also are positioned a little different from the bar to the needle. Macybaby and some others are better at ID'ing the top clamp feet.

I haven't ordered a drive pulley from sew-classic.com, yet. But these types of machines generally have a flat spot on the pulley which makes sewing quite noisy. It is suggested to put something between the machine and the motor to keep the pulley off the hand wheel while not in use.

Also the hand wheel goes the opposite direction from Singer machines.

That is a nice looking machine. What did you clean it with?..


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

leonf

[ATTACH=CONFIG]611962[/ATTACH]Similar to the Domestic. Mine with the MG prefix to the serial # has a magnesium body. YOurs look great.

AnInspiredMess

Thank you so much for the feedback/links on this White model / rotary motor machines. I figured it was a 43 as the serial number started with "43". I have a White 77 just purchased this past weekend (when it rains it pours!) but the rubber motor drive pulley looks different. Will need to make sure I get the right ones to fit each machine - thank you for the feedback OurWorkbench - each of my Whites have flat tires!
Okay - for cleaning up this gal - I totally winged it, based on info found on this forum. So many different opinions and products, I have to say, I became a little overwhelmed and confused, as a vintage-machine-cleaner-rookie! Figured I wouldn't really know what to do until I tried methods/products myself.
After brushing off pounds of dust and eliminating multiple life stages of spiders(!), I got rid of gunked up oil and grime with Hoppes #9. Was this a bad move? I remember reading about it on this forum but questioned if I should use it to de-gunk the metal. Regardless, it worked like a charm - hope I didn't do any damage. Note: put the cap on when not using as it can end up on kitchen floor. Super aromatic (solvent) kitchen yet today!
Metal polish - Noxon (found at my local ACE Hardware); worked well!
Oil - Tri Flow on most spots, sewing machine oil on a few *is that the proper use of Tri-Flow? Again - got confused when/where to use it.
Surface cleaning- a bit of sewing machine oil, then wiped it off really well with cotton rag. I know not all crinkle finish owners agree with that method, but it worked for me.
Motor: didn't take it apart - going to see how it runs when I get a pulley. Mistake? Should I disassemble and clean it out?

Funny how some people love the crinkle finish machines and others think they're just ugly! ha. I really love them. It's a welcome change from shiny black shellac and gold leaf - but I love those machines too! They seem a little fussier to clean, so this "Godzilla" was a good place to start. I found an online seller with a box of White 43 attachments - $20. Thought it was a good deal / nice-to-have, but with shipping it was $30. Sigh. Paid it anyway, as I would like to get this girl up and sewing - and the White attachments seem a bit specific. Moving on to needles...sounds like Singer 2020 might work?

Thanks again, everyone - so thankful for this board, forum, and vintage-loving individuals!

AlvaStitcher

I have the same machine as this. I enjoy sewing with it. It is not my most used machine and at the moment it needs to have the side tension mechanism put back on the machine. It fell off the last time I used it and I have not taken the time to look up on YouTube on how to reassemble that part. Sigh. I bought mine at Goodwill in a cabinet. Refinished the cabinet because the top was in very poor condition and then cleaned up the machine. It was coated with nicotine and dirt..

OurWorkbench

[QUOTE=AnInspiredMess;8244119]...I got rid of gunked up oil and grime with Hoppes #9. Was this a bad move? ....

Metal polish - Noxon (found at my local ACE Hardware); worked well!

Oil - Tri Flow on most spots, sewing machine oil on a few *is that the proper use of Tri-Flow? ...

Motor: didn't take it apart - going to see how it runs when I get a pulley. Mistake? Should I disassemble and clean it out?

...clean, so this "Godzilla" was a good place to start. I found an online seller with a box of White 43 attachments - $20. Thought it was a good deal / nice-to-have, but with shipping it was $30. Sigh. Paid it anyway, as I would like to get this girl up and sewing - and the White attachments seem a bit specific. Moving on to needles...sounds like Singer 2020 might work?

../QUOTE]

I doubt that cleaning the metal bits with Hoppes was a bad move. I've never had any to try.

Good on Noxon. I picked some up at a yard sale, but haven't tried it on a sewing machine, yet.

Tri-Flow oil can be used any where sewing machine oil can be. The Tri-Flow grease can not be used all places that Singer lubricant can. Also, Singer lubricant is different now, so now it is recommended for the motors that have grease pots, one can use petroleum jelly.

I don't mess with motors, so probably would check out when the pulley is replaced until deciding what to do. I suppose you could move the motor away from the body of the sewing machine and trying the motor.

Congratulations on the presser feet. I'm pretty sure these machine use the Singer 2020.

You did a great job on the cleanup. Thank you so much for the details.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

ube quilting

She is a special beauty. I feel your happiness in this story.

AnInspiredMess

I hope someone sees this post....but I know it's a bit far down this line and most folks have moved on to more recent threads. However....for the life of me, I can't find a replacement rubber motor pulley for this White 43. Plenty abound (relatively speaking) for the series 77, but none this size. The hole opening is the same size as the 77 (6mm), however the diameter of the tire is much bigger on the 43. I'm going to be super sad if they are just not made anymore. I'm sure I can figure out a work-around if they no longer exist, but wondering if anyone has some secret suppliers out there. Thanks!

OurWorkbench

There are some work-arounds out there, none that I have tried. I checked both of the ones sew-classic has and neither has the 6mm inside diameter, but one might work. I've also heard of soaking the rubber in something (can't remember what) but haven't first hand knowledge of that. Another might be similar to something I read about a rubber stopper from the plumbing department of the hardware store.

I wish I could be more help.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.