DMGeurts
Never open texts with the "Hand Sewn Button" attac
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2008
So, I think it's time I put all of my links and info in one place - that way I can just link to it and it will be easy to find.
I want to add - this grocery list is not mine... It is listed in one of the tutorials below.
Let's start with your "grocery list"... There are many things you are going to need to be able to restore a machine to it's original condition. When you are shopping, it is very important to get the brand listed and not use another brand - as the "other brand" may actually harm your machine. These particular products I have used myself while restoring my machines, and they have all worked with no damage to the original finish - however - I do suggest that you test in an inconspicuous place to be sure.
I also want to add, that a lot of these tutorials are done on the older black cast iron machines with the Japan finish. I want to assure everyone - that most machine's guts are identical inside - it's just the outside that is a bit different. I will add, however, if you are restoring a machine with adjustable cams - they will have the added cam shaft so they can zig-zag.
List:
*Liquid Wrench (for loosening screws - you don't want to strip them, they are HTF)
*Go-Jo (non-pumice)
*Brasso (or other brass cleaner)
*Kerosene (1 gallon can)
*Mothers Mag Wheel Polish or SemiChrome
*Scott's liquid gold (in the pour bottle - it's hard to find these days, I had to order mine from Scotts.com)
*Sewing Machine Grease (this is not oil... Singer makes it in a tube - looks like vaseline. Sew Classic also has it on their website in the Tri-Flo brand - which is the best)
*Sewing Machine oil (you must use actual sewing machine oil - not 3 in1 - which will totally wreck your machine over time. I highly recommend the Tri-Flo oil (avial. on the Sew-Classic website) - it is the best and I won't use anything else).
Tools:
Small flat screw driver
Medium flat screw driver
Pliers
Small Phillips screw driver
Medium Phillips screw driver
Old toothbrush
Cheap kitty litter pan (or a basin of similar dimensions that you'll never want to use again)
3/4" Cheap Paint Brush
Q-tips
Cotton Balls
Old T-shirt
Links:
Sew-Classic (this is where I go first for everything, Jen even has a store - items listed by model #, so they are really super easy to find the right parts for your specific machine, and I have purchased parts from her several times)
Tutorial: Part 1 - Cleaning your machine & disassembly
Tutorial: Part 2 - Cleaning your machine
Tutorial: Part 3 - Finish and Repair
You Tube Video for how to clean a vintage sewing machine - AWESOME!
Tension Adjustments
Replacing the handwheel and fiber gear - Ebay guide
There is also a message board on Yahoo Groups called: VintageSingers. You have to apply and be approved, it is a somewhat difficult process, because they won't let just anyone join. But you can try - there is a ton of info on their site.
This next link is a really awesome link - I didn't discover it until after I'd restored Patience, but... It's a group of people (anyone can do it) who restores vintage machines to send to 3rd world countries, so they can become self reliant. Not only is it an excellent tool with everything you need to know about restoring a machines, but it's an excellent cause - if you are so inclined to restore and donate a machine.
Tools for Self Reliance
Dating your machine:
ISMACS Singer serial # dates
Singer website serial # dating
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask... I am always happy to help! Since I am a huge advocate for Vintage machine sewing, I would love to turn someone's hobby into a true enjoyment from every aspect. There is nothing more satisfying (besides my family, of couse) than sitting down at a machine that someone else created on 75+ years ago, and I restored back to working order. The joy and confidence is just immeasurable. This might sound strange, but when I sit at my machines, they almost pulse with the memories of what they've created before me, and to be able to continue to create with these same machines brings a level of "completeness" to my hobby that I never thought I would ever experience.
If I find other useful links, I will be sure to update this post and post them here.
Happy Restoring!!!
D~
I want to add - this grocery list is not mine... It is listed in one of the tutorials below.
Let's start with your "grocery list"... There are many things you are going to need to be able to restore a machine to it's original condition. When you are shopping, it is very important to get the brand listed and not use another brand - as the "other brand" may actually harm your machine. These particular products I have used myself while restoring my machines, and they have all worked with no damage to the original finish - however - I do suggest that you test in an inconspicuous place to be sure.
I also want to add, that a lot of these tutorials are done on the older black cast iron machines with the Japan finish. I want to assure everyone - that most machine's guts are identical inside - it's just the outside that is a bit different. I will add, however, if you are restoring a machine with adjustable cams - they will have the added cam shaft so they can zig-zag.
List:
*Liquid Wrench (for loosening screws - you don't want to strip them, they are HTF)
*Go-Jo (non-pumice)
*Brasso (or other brass cleaner)
*Kerosene (1 gallon can)
*Mothers Mag Wheel Polish or SemiChrome
*Scott's liquid gold (in the pour bottle - it's hard to find these days, I had to order mine from Scotts.com)
*Sewing Machine Grease (this is not oil... Singer makes it in a tube - looks like vaseline. Sew Classic also has it on their website in the Tri-Flo brand - which is the best)
*Sewing Machine oil (you must use actual sewing machine oil - not 3 in1 - which will totally wreck your machine over time. I highly recommend the Tri-Flo oil (avial. on the Sew-Classic website) - it is the best and I won't use anything else).
Tools:
Small flat screw driver
Medium flat screw driver
Pliers
Small Phillips screw driver
Medium Phillips screw driver
Old toothbrush
Cheap kitty litter pan (or a basin of similar dimensions that you'll never want to use again)
3/4" Cheap Paint Brush
Q-tips
Cotton Balls
Old T-shirt
Links:
Sew-Classic (this is where I go first for everything, Jen even has a store - items listed by model #, so they are really super easy to find the right parts for your specific machine, and I have purchased parts from her several times)
Tutorial: Part 1 - Cleaning your machine & disassembly
Tutorial: Part 2 - Cleaning your machine
Tutorial: Part 3 - Finish and Repair
You Tube Video for how to clean a vintage sewing machine - AWESOME!
Tension Adjustments
Replacing the handwheel and fiber gear - Ebay guide
There is also a message board on Yahoo Groups called: VintageSingers. You have to apply and be approved, it is a somewhat difficult process, because they won't let just anyone join. But you can try - there is a ton of info on their site.
This next link is a really awesome link - I didn't discover it until after I'd restored Patience, but... It's a group of people (anyone can do it) who restores vintage machines to send to 3rd world countries, so they can become self reliant. Not only is it an excellent tool with everything you need to know about restoring a machines, but it's an excellent cause - if you are so inclined to restore and donate a machine.
Tools for Self Reliance
Dating your machine:
ISMACS Singer serial # dates
Singer website serial # dating
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask... I am always happy to help! Since I am a huge advocate for Vintage machine sewing, I would love to turn someone's hobby into a true enjoyment from every aspect. There is nothing more satisfying (besides my family, of couse) than sitting down at a machine that someone else created on 75+ years ago, and I restored back to working order. The joy and confidence is just immeasurable. This might sound strange, but when I sit at my machines, they almost pulse with the memories of what they've created before me, and to be able to continue to create with these same machines brings a level of "completeness" to my hobby that I never thought I would ever experience.
If I find other useful links, I will be sure to update this post and post them here.
Happy Restoring!!!
D~