1941(?) Sphinx Singer Restoration
05-12-2021, 11:02 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 2
1941(?) Sphinx Singer Restoration
I'm brand new so this'll be my introduction, hello! I thought you guys would be interested in the Singer I picked up this week, a Sphinx decal Singer, what I believe is from 1941 based off of the serial number. Not bad for $50 I think, though it will need a bit of elbow grease to get working again. I was worried at firsr that it was a reproduction when I first got it home, but I don't believe that is the case. It looks nearly identical to the machine that Jodie posted here: https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/1941-singer-15-special-variation-15sv10-looking-more-info-t218221.html
It has the same Indian star decal on the bed that is unusual for these machines.
It's in poor shape internally and is seized, so I will need to take it apart completely so I can remove rust from the internal mechanisms. Cabinet will also need work. I'll be posting updates and pictures here as I go along with the restoration. This is my first time restoring something like this so if there are any things to look out for feel free to comment.
It has the same Indian star decal on the bed that is unusual for these machines.
It's in poor shape internally and is seized, so I will need to take it apart completely so I can remove rust from the internal mechanisms. Cabinet will also need work. I'll be posting updates and pictures here as I go along with the restoration. This is my first time restoring something like this so if there are any things to look out for feel free to comment.
05-13-2021, 07:13 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: South of St Louis
Posts: 839
What a great machine! And welcome to the Board!
First, make sure you do NOT use water or anything water based to clean the machine, the decals will be wrecked in a hurry. Use only sewing machine oil, real sewing machine oil, with cotton balls or something similar. If it was me, before completely disassembling, I would remove the easy things, plates, cover, motor, hand wheel, then oil (with sewing machine oil) all the oil holes and anywhere else metal moves against metal. Let it sit for a while, see if the machine moves, if not then repeat. Once it's moving you can "wash out" rust from machined surfaces with sewing machine oil by continuing the process.
If you're comfortable taking it apart completely, then proceed. I've seen videos of people doing that, and although I know I could take one apart, getting it back together correctly would be a big concern.
You're on your own with what to do with the green table. If you like woodwork then it's a great project for stripping and refinishing, if not...I would pick a paint color I like!
First, make sure you do NOT use water or anything water based to clean the machine, the decals will be wrecked in a hurry. Use only sewing machine oil, real sewing machine oil, with cotton balls or something similar. If it was me, before completely disassembling, I would remove the easy things, plates, cover, motor, hand wheel, then oil (with sewing machine oil) all the oil holes and anywhere else metal moves against metal. Let it sit for a while, see if the machine moves, if not then repeat. Once it's moving you can "wash out" rust from machined surfaces with sewing machine oil by continuing the process.
If you're comfortable taking it apart completely, then proceed. I've seen videos of people doing that, and although I know I could take one apart, getting it back together correctly would be a big concern.
You're on your own with what to do with the green table. If you like woodwork then it's a great project for stripping and refinishing, if not...I would pick a paint color I like!
05-13-2021, 10:23 AM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: near Topeka kansas
Posts: 4,524
Gotta agree with Joe. It doesn't look bad at all. I would not be taking this apart in any hurry. OIl and patience will prolly free it up. near the bobbin and under the faceplate are areas that can freeze up first. YOur stitch length indicator may be an after market.
Have fun with it. Lookin good. And welcome from Kansas and congrats for figuring out posting pics so quickly.
Have fun with it. Lookin good. And welcome from Kansas and congrats for figuring out posting pics so quickly.
05-13-2021, 05:48 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,385
I agree with Joe & Leon. Frequently, just oil and patience will go a long way to getting the machine going again.
I'm fairly certain that that is not an aftermarket.stitch regulator. I was under the impression that SV machines were for a specific task and consequently the parts to make that task easier. It could be the decals or for a specific destination.
I believe that the 15-96 is closer to the machine and parts that you have. The manual can be found at https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...2666/index.htm and a pdf format can be gotten at https://archive.org/details/singer15961598manual There is also a parts list that can be found at https://www.supsew.com/download/Sing...-97,%20-98.pdf
There are descriptions of the various domestic 15 class machines at http://needlebar.org/main/15chart/index.html I do take exception to those made at Kilbowie being the same as those made in US with the dash being replaced by a "K." That is probably true of a lot of them, but I know the 15K30 and the 15-30 are different machines, with the 15K30 being a wheel feed. There is also a model list that includes 15's at http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...sses-1-99.html
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
I'm fairly certain that that is not an aftermarket.stitch regulator. I was under the impression that SV machines were for a specific task and consequently the parts to make that task easier. It could be the decals or for a specific destination.
I believe that the 15-96 is closer to the machine and parts that you have. The manual can be found at https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...2666/index.htm and a pdf format can be gotten at https://archive.org/details/singer15961598manual There is also a parts list that can be found at https://www.supsew.com/download/Sing...-97,%20-98.pdf
There are descriptions of the various domestic 15 class machines at http://needlebar.org/main/15chart/index.html I do take exception to those made at Kilbowie being the same as those made in US with the dash being replaced by a "K." That is probably true of a lot of them, but I know the 15K30 and the 15-30 are different machines, with the 15K30 being a wheel feed. There is also a model list that includes 15's at http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...sses-1-99.html
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
05-15-2021, 04:40 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 2
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and good advice.
After reading everyone's comments about not taking it apart all the way I decided not to. my main worry was taking it apart so far that I would've put something back in the wrong orientation. So I just took out the parts that were rusted and cleaned those. After that and a liberal application of SMO it is finally able to freely spin. I think in the future I will follow the sticky thread about cleaning machines so I can refinish the machine with new shellac. Time to find myself a new treadle belt and rubber for the bobbin winder.
As for the table, I'll probably repair and paint it. I don't know a whole lot about veneer so I'm just going to fix and fill in the water damaged areas. Not sure what I'm going to do with the treadle assembly. it has surface rust so I'm trying to decide if I want to just clean it up or repaint it.
here's a nice before and after shot
now I'm thinking I should go and give my "godzilla" singer the same treatment ha
After reading everyone's comments about not taking it apart all the way I decided not to. my main worry was taking it apart so far that I would've put something back in the wrong orientation. So I just took out the parts that were rusted and cleaned those. After that and a liberal application of SMO it is finally able to freely spin. I think in the future I will follow the sticky thread about cleaning machines so I can refinish the machine with new shellac. Time to find myself a new treadle belt and rubber for the bobbin winder.
As for the table, I'll probably repair and paint it. I don't know a whole lot about veneer so I'm just going to fix and fill in the water damaged areas. Not sure what I'm going to do with the treadle assembly. it has surface rust so I'm trying to decide if I want to just clean it up or repaint it.
here's a nice before and after shot
now I'm thinking I should go and give my "godzilla" singer the same treatment ha
05-15-2021, 05:21 PM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,385
Great job on cleaning that up. It looks a whole lot better and probably turns better, too.
That avocado green paint would need to go, if it were mine. A couple of threads about the cabinet the first one would be mainly if it was in original wood condition and the second for actually stripping.
Cleaning and Reviving furniture(Sewing cabinets)
refinishing sewing machine cabinets
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
That avocado green paint would need to go, if it were mine. A couple of threads about the cabinet the first one would be mainly if it was in original wood condition and the second for actually stripping.
Cleaning and Reviving furniture(Sewing cabinets)
refinishing sewing machine cabinets
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
05-16-2021, 06:50 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: South of St Louis
Posts: 839
Let's see...if you're new to this...and that before/after is your first clean up...I have a pile of machines I'm supposed to pick up this week which I may just ship to you instead...let me know when you're all finished and I'll come get them!
