I am trying to get some info together for the various machine bobbins and items like the bobbin winder rubber tires. I have 2 of the 1880's Singers that say they take the "small" bobbin. When I measured mine, I found that it appears to be the same as some of the model 29. Some of the 29s take the "small" bobbin but it is not what I was looking for. The model 29 also has what they are calling a large bobbin but it is not the size of the modern bobbin. It is the size of my 2 Singer fiddle base machines. This bobbin is only 1/4" thick.
The rubber tire is LARGE on some of the singers bobbin winders. I was concerned because at least 2 of my machines appear to have large ones. I was able to find those on Ebay. The information about the size of the bobbin is in the manual for the model. It is also in the description on Singer class descriptions.
The needles: my fiddle base 1880's seem to take flat side needles. Trying to give reference not just the manuals. The manual for some of the 1880's is the "improved family" and there is NO model number.
FACE PLATES. Some look so similar and yet many years apart or a different model.
I have 4 model 66 and they are the same from 1951, 1939 to 1910. I screwed the plates on to be sure.
The 3 fiddle bases, are not the same face. The 1884 and 1885 are the same. The 1888 is a rectangle flat face.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Friday, March 18, 2016
Vintage Machine Varnish
As I started to buy vintage machines, I looked at them and thought all the orangish stuff was rust. Most of what I purchased looked either better or worse than it was when I saw it in person. I found that the photos flattered some but mostly made them look worse than they were. The varnish is a build up of old grease and oil. It is horribly thick on at least 2 of my machines.
Cleaning a couple of the machines was easy enough with 2 brushes and the Tuff Stuff. It was amazing. Those machines had a light coating of the dried stuff.
Cleaning the really gunky thick blackened stuff off the worst ones was awful. I opted to go get a container to soak the worse machines in kerosene. The amount of elbow grease it was taking and the time was getting to me. I have to drag the stuff to the basement to do that. I can't have the dogs getting into it.
Cleaning a couple of the machines was easy enough with 2 brushes and the Tuff Stuff. It was amazing. Those machines had a light coating of the dried stuff.
Cleaning the really gunky thick blackened stuff off the worst ones was awful. I opted to go get a container to soak the worse machines in kerosene. The amount of elbow grease it was taking and the time was getting to me. I have to drag the stuff to the basement to do that. I can't have the dogs getting into it.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
New 1885 Singer Fiddle BaseTreadle
I purchased a good condition 1885 Singer fiddle base with treadle, cabinet, and coffin top. I had spent a lot of time cleaning it. I have the bobbin winder back together, the wheel off, 2 cleanings on the bottom, face piece off etc. It is slow. I am surprised by how slow. I think after I do a few, I will feel more confident that I can get it back together and running. I have been able to scrub the inside of the machine pretty good since most of the back side can be removed.
I am suffering from a twisted back and will post some photos as soon as I can get to it. The decals aren't as good as I had hoped but that is not surprising given the age. I really think the seller was nice and a great contact for more sewing machines. Only bad thing is that I have 12 now and wish I had met him 6 weeks ago. I have had good luck with Craigs list so far.
I am suffering from a twisted back and will post some photos as soon as I can get to it. The decals aren't as good as I had hoped but that is not surprising given the age. I really think the seller was nice and a great contact for more sewing machines. Only bad thing is that I have 12 now and wish I had met him 6 weeks ago. I have had good luck with Craigs list so far.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Cleaning Vintage Sewing Machine
I have used the information from several blogs and groups. I will add sources here if I get permission from the people and places. The information I am mostly using is including making the decals too. Please check out this blog: http://dragonpoodle.blogspot.com/2013_11_01_archive.html
The general idea is that Tuff Stuff foam appears to be safe for Singers. I damaged decals on my A. G. Mason Golden Star using Tuff Stuff. The New Home, RUBY, was fine using this on the decals!
I am soaking the RUBY in kerosene now. I am hoping it softens the varnish gunk on it and is easier to remove. I spent $5 on a tub the right size. I spent $15 on kerosene. I spent $20 on the blue 5 gallon can to use for kerosene. I am thinking the Tuff Stuff was the best way to go.
First of all, I used 3in1 oil on everything that had a screw or could be removed. I couldn't get slide plates off, face plates, or screw from most places. They were glued in place with gunk. I wiped some oil off after leaving overnight. I removed what I could and did the same thing over.
The general idea is that Tuff Stuff foam appears to be safe for Singers. I damaged decals on my A. G. Mason Golden Star using Tuff Stuff. The New Home, RUBY, was fine using this on the decals!
I am soaking the RUBY in kerosene now. I am hoping it softens the varnish gunk on it and is easier to remove. I spent $5 on a tub the right size. I spent $15 on kerosene. I spent $20 on the blue 5 gallon can to use for kerosene. I am thinking the Tuff Stuff was the best way to go.
First of all, I used 3in1 oil on everything that had a screw or could be removed. I couldn't get slide plates off, face plates, or screw from most places. They were glued in place with gunk. I wiped some oil off after leaving overnight. I removed what I could and did the same thing over.
Singer photos on Pinterest
I have started to post my antique and vintage machines on Pinterest. I made a new board for it.
My Sewing Machines on Pinterest
My Sewing Machines on Pinterest
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Collecting Vintage Machines
The more information I find on the antique and vintage machines, the more I wonder about details on the ones I purchased. I think there are some sellers who will swap parts of all sorts out to make it look good to sell. I bought about 8 in a very short time. UPDATE...make that 10. I am pleased with what I got but haven't actually started to sew on any one of them. I still think they are all sound and will work. I have learned so much in that short period of time that my brain is smoking.
The Treadleon group is a must. If you only read information there that they have gathered, you will get a lot from it. I also found tidbits of info from connections they have on their site. They have a yahoo group to join too.
I will get some photos posted. Speaking of photos, searching thru the Pinterest Singer photos, has been extremely helpful. My singer 1888 fiddle base didn't have any chrome left on the wheel. I thought it must have worn off. DUH! Seems it never had chrome. Some of these were nickel. I was considering getting it re-chromed. That is load off me. The info posted with the photos on pinterest is what told me the ones I was looking at there and mine are just nickel. This is the connection to the singer machines. She has a ton of other boards with different brands and a seperate one for the featherweight.
https://www.pinterest.com/annemiekekooima/singer-manufacturing-co/
Singer gave me a connection to download the manual for the 1884 for free. I was very pleased about that.
Cleaning old machines warning. I was cleaning away. I have 3 Singer machines at least cleaned once. I thought, wow, I will clean my A.G. Mason Golden Star. It looked nice and the decals WERE nice. I did notice that the paint surface had 2 different textures. The areas with decals seemed to have a tiny bubbly appearance. The plain areas were a dull black matte. I do think somebody sprayed something over the decals, something not meant to be cleaned. I made the decision to go ahead even though I saw a problem. I started to clean. It was fine. I scrubbed the underneath. I looked at the top and started seeing strange things going on with the color. I took dish soap and washed it. I had taken the pieces out of the front section. This machine doesn't have a face plate. The whole front section comes off. It has had nice decals...I cleaned it carefully just on the inside of the piece. I decided to rinse it with alcohol. That didn't stay inside. The spots it got on outside became instant glue and stuck to my left glove. It was nasty and blackish brown. I decided to go ahead and clean the whole piece. It melted the stuff off leaving the decals just silver. Gross and sad. It is another reason to get Singer machines. I think the machines were all built to last. The paint wasn't built to last. I am going to consider this one RE-BIRTHED. Not sure what I want except that it needs repainted.
The Treadleon group is a must. If you only read information there that they have gathered, you will get a lot from it. I also found tidbits of info from connections they have on their site. They have a yahoo group to join too.
I will get some photos posted. Speaking of photos, searching thru the Pinterest Singer photos, has been extremely helpful. My singer 1888 fiddle base didn't have any chrome left on the wheel. I thought it must have worn off. DUH! Seems it never had chrome. Some of these were nickel. I was considering getting it re-chromed. That is load off me. The info posted with the photos on pinterest is what told me the ones I was looking at there and mine are just nickel. This is the connection to the singer machines. She has a ton of other boards with different brands and a seperate one for the featherweight.
https://www.pinterest.com/annemiekekooima/singer-manufacturing-co/
Singer gave me a connection to download the manual for the 1884 for free. I was very pleased about that.
Cleaning old machines warning. I was cleaning away. I have 3 Singer machines at least cleaned once. I thought, wow, I will clean my A.G. Mason Golden Star. It looked nice and the decals WERE nice. I did notice that the paint surface had 2 different textures. The areas with decals seemed to have a tiny bubbly appearance. The plain areas were a dull black matte. I do think somebody sprayed something over the decals, something not meant to be cleaned. I made the decision to go ahead even though I saw a problem. I started to clean. It was fine. I scrubbed the underneath. I looked at the top and started seeing strange things going on with the color. I took dish soap and washed it. I had taken the pieces out of the front section. This machine doesn't have a face plate. The whole front section comes off. It has had nice decals...I cleaned it carefully just on the inside of the piece. I decided to rinse it with alcohol. That didn't stay inside. The spots it got on outside became instant glue and stuck to my left glove. It was nasty and blackish brown. I decided to go ahead and clean the whole piece. It melted the stuff off leaving the decals just silver. Gross and sad. It is another reason to get Singer machines. I think the machines were all built to last. The paint wasn't built to last. I am going to consider this one RE-BIRTHED. Not sure what I want except that it needs repainted.
Friday, March 4, 2016
1884 Singer Sewing Machine
I picked up my 1884 Singer fiddle base sewing machine today along with other goodies to go with singer machines. I got it home and was pleasantly surprised at the condition. I oiled it and let it sit for a while. I couldn't stand it and started to clean it and check it out. I scrubbed it inside and out.I scrubbed it twice and wiped it off and oiled it again. I have plenty photos and a little video of my findings. I really felt that somebody must have cared about this one for a long time and it had been stored well till recently. Somebody put one new shiny spool post in it but the rest seemed to be older. The photos of it on Ebay sure looked worse than what it is. I was referring to it as my new rust bucket.
I was hoping that the decals would show up a bit nicer after cleaning. They are faint. They must have been pretty when they were new. I contacted Singer and got a response. They informed me that The models this age have names not model numbers. Mine is simply "improved family". Other reading says it is the precursor of the model 15. I am going to eventually try to post this to the Treadleon people and ask if they can point me in the right direction for any other info. The serial number is 6453801
http://ismacs.net/ site shows this is 1884
This information is from
http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/singer%20improved%20family.htm
Improved Family Oscillating Shuttle
The Singer Company started production of the
Improved Family machine in 1879, it was, at the time,
a major step forward in having an oscillating shuttle
and high arm. It was designed for domestic and light
manufacturing use. Manufactured mainly as a treadle
machine with various types of cabinet work some hand
crank machines were also produced.
Although it is the forerunner of the Model 15 its
mechanism is different and the bobbin smaller.
DATING: The Singer Company still holds the date of
commissioning for its machines.
I was hoping that the decals would show up a bit nicer after cleaning. They are faint. They must have been pretty when they were new. I contacted Singer and got a response. They informed me that The models this age have names not model numbers. Mine is simply "improved family". Other reading says it is the precursor of the model 15. I am going to eventually try to post this to the Treadleon people and ask if they can point me in the right direction for any other info. The serial number is 6453801
http://ismacs.net/ site shows this is 1884
This information is from
http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/singer%20improved%20family.htm
Improved Family Oscillating Shuttle
The Singer Company started production of the
Improved Family machine in 1879, it was, at the time,
a major step forward in having an oscillating shuttle
and high arm. It was designed for domestic and light
manufacturing use. Manufactured mainly as a treadle
machine with various types of cabinet work some hand
crank machines were also produced.
Although it is the forerunner of the Model 15 its
mechanism is different and the bobbin smaller.
DATING: The Singer Company still holds the date of
commissioning for its machines.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Vintage sewing machines
I decided I wanted a treadle. It snowballed into an obsession instantly.
I searched on craigslist first. I was only going to get Singer machines. I was taking advice from a website and the general idea that it is much easier to get parts and help. Right now, my goal is to get them cleaned up.
I am hoping to clean, paint and make decals. I will be following a blog with information to do this. I had searched for instructions. I didn't come up with much. I had looked for info to make decals. I found nothing until I found her site. The information is terrific. I have machine partly stripped down and cleaned once. I got more parts off of it today and I am setting up a work space in the basement.
First off, I want to list my machines. These are not in order of purchase. I bought what I could find within 2 hours of home. A couple seem to be in perfect condition. A couple seem to be good for their age with most issues being cosmetic. Three of them are perfect candidates for strip down and repaint.
I have 4 Singer model 66 machines. There 3 the krinkle (Godzilla) finish. It is durable and plain. I guess that is the problem. One is only meant to be a treadle and it was made in 1951. Two of them have the back motor post. I purchased a different wheel and hand crank to add onto one of them. I may paint one of them with the hammered metal like Cheryl did hers. I also purchase a Singer Red Eye from 1910.
1. Singer model 66-18 from 1951 came with a beautiful light oak treadle and cabinet. serial # AK1261712. No motor boss, no way to install a crank
2. Singer model 66 with a small 1940's cabinet. AH095703 from May 1947.
3. Singer model 66-8 is just the machine head with motor/pedal
with a back motor post. This is from March 16, 1910 serial #G332724
4. A. G. Mason "Golden Star" (made by White company) This seems to be a very nice machine. It does have a shuttle and long bobbin.
5. I purchased a $30 special (special cause I LIKE it) New Home "RUBY" treadle.
6. Singer Featherweight 1951 appears to be in great condition. It is terrific being light weight.
7. Singer VS2 fiddle base from 1888 treadle with cabinet. Needs parts and repainted. I already got the parts.
9. Singer "Improved Family" fiddle base from 1884 serial #6453801. It looked like a rust bucket online and was only $31 and shipping. It was much nicer than that when I received it! Great to practice on. It is intact.
10. Singer model 27 from 1894. I would say it has 27 sphinx decals but they are ruined by a former owner by cleaning with the wrong products.
11. Singer model 66 Red Eye from march 16, 1910 serial #G332724
12. Singer model 15, serial # G 9148263 from January 4, 1922.
I searched on craigslist first. I was only going to get Singer machines. I was taking advice from a website and the general idea that it is much easier to get parts and help. Right now, my goal is to get them cleaned up.
I am hoping to clean, paint and make decals. I will be following a blog with information to do this. I had searched for instructions. I didn't come up with much. I had looked for info to make decals. I found nothing until I found her site. The information is terrific. I have machine partly stripped down and cleaned once. I got more parts off of it today and I am setting up a work space in the basement.
First off, I want to list my machines. These are not in order of purchase. I bought what I could find within 2 hours of home. A couple seem to be in perfect condition. A couple seem to be good for their age with most issues being cosmetic. Three of them are perfect candidates for strip down and repaint.
I have 4 Singer model 66 machines. There 3 the krinkle (Godzilla) finish. It is durable and plain. I guess that is the problem. One is only meant to be a treadle and it was made in 1951. Two of them have the back motor post. I purchased a different wheel and hand crank to add onto one of them. I may paint one of them with the hammered metal like Cheryl did hers. I also purchase a Singer Red Eye from 1910.
2. Singer model 66 with a small 1940's cabinet. AH095703 from May 1947.
3. Singer model 66-8 is just the machine head with motor/pedal
with a back motor post. This is from March 16, 1910 serial #G332724
4. A. G. Mason "Golden Star" (made by White company) This seems to be a very nice machine. It does have a shuttle and long bobbin.
5. I purchased a $30 special (special cause I LIKE it) New Home "RUBY" treadle.
6. Singer Featherweight 1951 appears to be in great condition. It is terrific being light weight.
7. Singer VS2 fiddle base from 1888 treadle with cabinet. Needs parts and repainted. I already got the parts.
9. Singer "Improved Family" fiddle base from 1884 serial #6453801. It looked like a rust bucket online and was only $31 and shipping. It was much nicer than that when I received it! Great to practice on. It is intact.
10. Singer model 27 from 1894. I would say it has 27 sphinx decals but they are ruined by a former owner by cleaning with the wrong products.
11. Singer model 66 Red Eye from march 16, 1910 serial #G332724
12. Singer model 15, serial # G 9148263 from January 4, 1922.
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