Can this machine be rescued?
#185
Very nice work Steve. Sorry that you got the wrong die the first time. That had to be frustrating to do all of that work and have it ruined by someone else.
I have been doing some restoration work on a Singer 27 from 1896. The poor old thing has some real issues. Can it be saved? Yes! I may not be able to restore the paint to the original condition, but I can restore the mechanicals and it will sew again. I wanted to share some of my progress.
It was so rusty, I did not even know that there was a design on the inspection plate until I saw a picture of it that I had taken of it before I started working on it. It took some work, but I am happy with how it came out.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]446992[/ATTACH]
The head was a mess. It was covered with years of dust. The foot bar was seized and the foot lever was so rusted, I thought that it would have to be replaced. It sparkles again after using a Dremel with a buffing wheel and some jewelers rouge on it. The paint in there even shines.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]446993[/ATTACH]
I think that many machines that seem like a lost cause really are not. This machine has been handed down for generations. It is important to the family that it is no longer neglected and that it is restored. It might take some doing, but it will come back to life. Sometimes it simply depends on how bad you want it.
~G~
I have been doing some restoration work on a Singer 27 from 1896. The poor old thing has some real issues. Can it be saved? Yes! I may not be able to restore the paint to the original condition, but I can restore the mechanicals and it will sew again. I wanted to share some of my progress.
It was so rusty, I did not even know that there was a design on the inspection plate until I saw a picture of it that I had taken of it before I started working on it. It took some work, but I am happy with how it came out.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]446992[/ATTACH]
The head was a mess. It was covered with years of dust. The foot bar was seized and the foot lever was so rusted, I thought that it would have to be replaced. It sparkles again after using a Dremel with a buffing wheel and some jewelers rouge on it. The paint in there even shines.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]446993[/ATTACH]
I think that many machines that seem like a lost cause really are not. This machine has been handed down for generations. It is important to the family that it is no longer neglected and that it is restored. It might take some doing, but it will come back to life. Sometimes it simply depends on how bad you want it.
~G~
#186
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 66
Good Morning. I am new to the forum and was enjoying reading about the vintage machines that are or have been restored. I have an old Seamstress (hand crank, with the groove in the wheel so that it can be used as a treadle) which was given to me. It has been tentatively identified as a National Expert B.T. Vibrator, 3/4 size model. The cabinet is long gone, and the machine sat in a shed for many years. Some of the decals are damaged and there is rust on some parts of the body. The actual mechanisms inside and on the bottom of the machine are moving freely now, but she really needs a good cleaning inside and out. Any suggestions for what to clean it with?
Thank you.
Thank you.
#187
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: San Lorenzo, CA
Posts: 5,361
Originally Posted by SteveH
[ATTACH=CONFIG]446741[/ATTACH]
#188
I have had a machine that came out of an old dilapidated shed that was missing part of the roof, so it was basically in the elements. The cabinet turned to dust when it was moved but the machine was saved. What was left of the machine anyway. I have been working on it from time to time this past year and it is coming along. This is the shed it came out of.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469097[/ATTACH]
Here are a few shots of the machine before and after cleaning and polishing. It may take some time, but I am saving this one.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469098[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469099[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469100[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469101[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469097[/ATTACH]
Here are a few shots of the machine before and after cleaning and polishing. It may take some time, but I am saving this one.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469098[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469099[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469100[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469101[/ATTACH]
#190
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