I haven't ever kept up my blog. It takes too much work. I don't think I have posted here for a year.
In that time, I got a used Gammill Vision. It is an awesome machine. I have used it some but did other things this whole summer.
I do post some things on Pinterest and on Machine Quilters Resource forum.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Sprained Back Delayed work
I have been nursing my sprained back and can't work on any sewing machines for right now. I am frustrated and can't do a thing about it. I was already hurting and I lifted one wrong while I pivoted around. I didn't do this by lifting the machine. I have a 9 month old 100 lb. puppy who tried to jump on my lap before I lifted the machine wrong. I ended up at an emergency room. No choice now but to rest it.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Added 2 more Vintage Sewing Machines
I added 2 more vintage sewing machines to my growing collection.
I purchased a very nice model 99 from 1955. This is now my most modern of them. I received it with great packaging and the motor fell off when I lifted it out.
The bracket was broken off the back of the machine. I was unhappy but the machine is in good shape. I have a spare replacement set of motor and pedal. I will be looking for a replacement original though. It is made in Great Britain.
I just got another New Home. I loved the little $30 New Home "RUBY" and got the new one because of it. I had moved it up to the first project to repaint. It is in good shape in structural ways. I didn't know much about it. I could see that it didn't seem to have decals. They are worn off. No worry about cleaning then! It wasn't my dirtiest either. I believe that for most of it's existence, it was cared for.
I oiled it well. I removed the front unit. It really wasn't gunked up bad. I didn't remove the side plate right away. I got a real shock when I removed it. I found
GEARS. What a surprise for me. I didn't have any with gears.
This appears to be an 1890 model "pre-model A". The base has square corners and it is identical to the website I misplaced...had a picture of it.
I purchased a very nice model 99 from 1955. This is now my most modern of them. I received it with great packaging and the motor fell off when I lifted it out.
The bracket was broken off the back of the machine. I was unhappy but the machine is in good shape. I have a spare replacement set of motor and pedal. I will be looking for a replacement original though. It is made in Great Britain.
I just got another New Home. I loved the little $30 New Home "RUBY" and got the new one because of it. I had moved it up to the first project to repaint. It is in good shape in structural ways. I didn't know much about it. I could see that it didn't seem to have decals. They are worn off. No worry about cleaning then! It wasn't my dirtiest either. I believe that for most of it's existence, it was cared for.
I oiled it well. I removed the front unit. It really wasn't gunked up bad. I didn't remove the side plate right away. I got a real shock when I removed it. I found
GEARS. What a surprise for me. I didn't have any with gears.
This appears to be an 1890 model "pre-model A". The base has square corners and it is identical to the website I misplaced...had a picture of it.
Friday, March 25, 2016
SINGER BOBBINS
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.
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 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.
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