leonf

I can tell you are a rookie here if you thought the stairs pic was my collection. I have a few more. Hehe.

Kelly A

Thanks Pocoellie! I was amazed at the condition of it, too. It's inner workings and metal parts definitely have some old oil/dust/dirt build up, but even that has not been as bad as I anticipated for a 100 yr old machine - everything still moves freely. One or more prior owners definitely treated it with TLC!

Kelly A

I know several folks in the local quilt guild who collect vintage machines... not sure any of them have that many, though!
Do you ever sew with any of them?

Kelly A

If you mean the large wheel with the groove in it that the belt goes around (band wheel??), then yes, it is in fact there - all treadle base parts are intact and working.
Oh, wow - I just took another look at my photo and can understand why you asked - it looks as if there is no wheel!! Couldn't take another photo at that misleading angle again if I tried! lol

Kelly A

Hi Janey - yes, it is 3-in-1 oil. It's what my mom always used to oil her sewing machines and it's what I had on hand. It's been doing a wonderful job at removing old oil from the various metal parts/screws that I can't use alcohol on. Do you just mean it is not recommended for cleaning the painted & shellaced areas? or should I not use it on even the metal parts? Thanks!

OurWorkbench

I know, I remember having it around as a kid. It probably was used on my mom's sewing machine and maybe even my grandmother's at some point. My brother & I refurbished our grandmother's for my sister. I really didn't have any problem getting it cleaned up with Tri-flow and sewing machine oil. Those that have more experience than I do, say that it gums up the machine. I would not use Tri-flow for the japanning and decals, but would use regular sewing machine oil.


I've used alcohol swabs on some parts as they don't drip. I used to have some really nice strong ones, but even the thinner ones will work for cleaning some of the parts under the machine or in the nose that I didn't want to remove.


One generally doesn't see machines from the angle of your picture. I was able to click on the picture and enlarge it. I even looked at one of my treadles to make sure that what I was seeing above the dress guard was indeed the band wheel.


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

leonf

Kelly,

Three in one may work for simple machines, but if you get into ZZs or one with cams, It can gum them up pretty easily. I only use sewing machine oil on my lovelies' ( I buy it by the gallon).

My GF is the sewist and she does fashion. https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...163-613393.jpg

I have done a few minor projects just to get familiar with the machines. I've been a gearhead all my life and when my GF's featherweight acted up on her, she asked me to fix it. I'd never touched a machine before, but after reading the manual, watching youtube and much encouragement. I got it running again after several tries. Now I treat them like 3 D jigsaw puzzles. I'll buy poor ones, and bring them back to life ( usually) . We just had 12 of them in a museum in a temp visit. I keep thinking one day we'll contact the Macaffee (sp?) stage coach area and demo there. Haven't done that yet. I give them away or sell them when I am so inclined. Not making any profit.

Glad your wheel is there. Did you think to oil the treadle itself. It can make a lot of difference.
I consider a 66 or 99 oiled well when I can give a quick flip to the handwheel and it will spin 3 revolutions.

Have fun.

Oh, and yes Iris (GF) will sometimes use my old beasties. Mostly when her new machines balk at too many layers. Ha!

Kelly A

I know it's been a few weeks, but I wanted to follow up with some before and after photos! Migraines & pressure headaches the past 2+ weeks due to storms & rollercoaster baro pressure have kept me from making as much progress as I would have liked but I just worked one area at a time as I could (tension assembly, bobbin area, needlebar area, bobbin winder+handwheel, underneath linkages) I've really LOVED learning every part of her! Once I finished cleaning the head, I set my sights on the base... I've removed the table and drawers from the treadle base in preparation of working on the base next. 5 photos here, and another few in a 2nd post to come. Thanks for all your help and advice, folks!

Kelly A

I don't have a "before" photo of the face plate, but it was even darker than the round plate shown in the last post... bright and shiny now! The treadle is in pretty good shape - some rust spots throughout that are noticeable up close but don't show in the photo. May just clean and oil all the joints for now because I'm not sure how to handle the finish yet...AND I'm anxious to get it all reassembled and put that new belt on, to see how she hums!

bkay

Decals are in great shape! Congrats on your well done job on the "innerds".
bkay