EARLY Elias Howe sewing machine
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northern CA near Sacramento
Posts: 1,107
Steve,
You are already repainting it. So I'd polish-up and refinish the metal surfaces, too.
Cathy
You are already repainting it. So I'd polish-up and refinish the metal surfaces, too.
Cathy
here is where I run into a issue.... I am not sure which path to take.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386259[/ATTACH]
This a before and after with my wire wheel process.
I have the ability to repair those surfaces to smooth. Some planishing (hammering smooth) and some gentle stock removal and it could be shiny again.
Should I do that or do I acknowledge it's life and history by leaving it "as is" structurally?
Happy Sunday.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386259[/ATTACH]
This a before and after with my wire wheel process.
I have the ability to repair those surfaces to smooth. Some planishing (hammering smooth) and some gentle stock removal and it could be shiny again.
Should I do that or do I acknowledge it's life and history by leaving it "as is" structurally?
Happy Sunday.
#32
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: San Lorenzo, CA
Posts: 5,361
I agree. In fact I have decided to clean and buff but not repair.
I can always go back later and change my mind Muhahahaha.
Here is one I forgot earlier, the back of the movement arm notice the hollowed out side now.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386367[/ATTACH]
I thought a contrast picture would be cool, Painted body on old bed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386368[/ATTACH]
Started on the bed, slow going doing it "softly" to preserve the texture of what portions of the original machining marks are still there. FOUND A SET OF NUMBERS!!!! I had hoped that they had put a serial number on the frame as well as the slides, that does make WAY more sense.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386369[/ATTACH]
Check out the "action area" neat machining.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386370[/ATTACH]
Close up of the numbers.. ANY help here would be appreciated.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386371[/ATTACH]
Kinda of cool representative shot. The bed as I stopped for the night.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386373[/ATTACH]
And 90% of the under bits. Done. Check out the feed dog.. it is Sharp.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386374[/ATTACH]
That's it for tonight. If I do not stop now, I'll be up all night trying to finish...
Final note: I was blown away to find out that the spring is brass!!! I did not know until i began to remove the tarnish! (AND I HAD HELD IT)... That was a secondary "sweet" moment. after the numbers.
Enjoy, I sure am.
I can always go back later and change my mind Muhahahaha.
Here is one I forgot earlier, the back of the movement arm notice the hollowed out side now.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386367[/ATTACH]
I thought a contrast picture would be cool, Painted body on old bed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386368[/ATTACH]
Started on the bed, slow going doing it "softly" to preserve the texture of what portions of the original machining marks are still there. FOUND A SET OF NUMBERS!!!! I had hoped that they had put a serial number on the frame as well as the slides, that does make WAY more sense.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386369[/ATTACH]
Check out the "action area" neat machining.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386370[/ATTACH]
Close up of the numbers.. ANY help here would be appreciated.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386371[/ATTACH]
Kinda of cool representative shot. The bed as I stopped for the night.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386373[/ATTACH]
And 90% of the under bits. Done. Check out the feed dog.. it is Sharp.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386374[/ATTACH]
That's it for tonight. If I do not stop now, I'll be up all night trying to finish...
Final note: I was blown away to find out that the spring is brass!!! I did not know until i began to remove the tarnish! (AND I HAD HELD IT)... That was a secondary "sweet" moment. after the numbers.
Enjoy, I sure am.
Last edited by SteveH; 01-06-2013 at 09:12 PM.
#37
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: San Lorenzo, CA
Posts: 5,361
Awww, thanks.
I used Krud Kutter as a "wash" and PB blaster as the real workhorse, then hand brushed with a brass wire brush. I was not sure how tough the material was still. Then after a couple days of "worrying it" as my Grandmother would say, and the parts started to soften. From then on it has been a 6" fine wire wheel on a 1/2 hp buffer. I have a 3/4hp but the weaker motor keeps me from pushing too hard. As the RPM's drop, the sound changes, I actually maintain my pressure more by sound than touch. (hard to feel when the world is going bzzzzzzz)
The PB Blaster stuff is amazing. It works like a cross between WD40 (penetrating) and Navel Jelly (rust breakdown). It is the ONLY think that will loosen the old bolts on my Jeep Cherokee's (yes, plural) If I could have afforded some Evaporust I would have tried that... It looks cool.
It's bad... I wanted to take the day off to finish the cleanup...
I used Krud Kutter as a "wash" and PB blaster as the real workhorse, then hand brushed with a brass wire brush. I was not sure how tough the material was still. Then after a couple days of "worrying it" as my Grandmother would say, and the parts started to soften. From then on it has been a 6" fine wire wheel on a 1/2 hp buffer. I have a 3/4hp but the weaker motor keeps me from pushing too hard. As the RPM's drop, the sound changes, I actually maintain my pressure more by sound than touch. (hard to feel when the world is going bzzzzzzz)
The PB Blaster stuff is amazing. It works like a cross between WD40 (penetrating) and Navel Jelly (rust breakdown). It is the ONLY think that will loosen the old bolts on my Jeep Cherokee's (yes, plural) If I could have afforded some Evaporust I would have tried that... It looks cool.
It's bad... I wanted to take the day off to finish the cleanup...
#38
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: San Lorenzo, CA
Posts: 5,361
No work done last night. My DIL's car got busted into last night. The idiots tried to hot-wire the car. They found out it is not as easy as in the movies. all they succeeded in doing was destroying the plastic around the steering column, shred the ignition module, and render the car nonoperative...
They are hitting the wrecking yard today to get parts, and then I'll fix it tonight.. joy of joys...
I did take a couple close up shots of the needle plate.
I love the skill represented here. Remember:1860's...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386664[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386665[/ATTACH]
They are hitting the wrecking yard today to get parts, and then I'll fix it tonight.. joy of joys...
I did take a couple close up shots of the needle plate.
I love the skill represented here. Remember:1860's...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386664[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]386665[/ATTACH]
#40
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: San Lorenzo, CA
Posts: 5,361
for those who like to read as well as look at pictures...
from the Smithsonian:
Users Manual for Elias Howe Step feed
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18576541/Us...%20Feed%20.pdf
Instructors manual for the Elias Howe New Family
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18576541/In...w%20Family.pdf
from the Smithsonian:
Users Manual for Elias Howe Step feed
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18576541/Us...%20Feed%20.pdf
Instructors manual for the Elias Howe New Family
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18576541/In...w%20Family.pdf
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