I could use your help with this machine!
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
I could use your help with this machine!
Over the weekend I was "loaned" a Free-Westinghouse electric machine in a stand. I believe it is a mid 1930's model (at least the owners manual is copyrighted 1934). I know it hasn't been run in at least 30 years. I welcome any and all advice or tid-bits you may have. (I'm kinda new at this) She is also in amazing condition.
And now the fun part.....
And now the fun part.....
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
The only tidbits I have is about oiling and the drive wheel. Before you use it, clean it's surface with sewing machine oil and a cotton pad or piece of soft cloth. Then oil every hole that does not have threads. Turn it by hand a bit so the oil can start seeping into all the appropriate places. After sitting that long the rubber on the drive wheel will probably be flat spotted. That will cause the machine to run very rough and noisy, and it will cause one heck of a vibration. There are a couple sources of these drive wheels on the internet so you might be able to find a replacement. You also might be able to move the one on that machine in or out so a smooth place on the rubber contacts the hand wheel. I have a Free too and I remove the drive wheel when the machine is not in use. The motor is not moveable so there's no way to put anything in there to move the drive wheel away from the hand wheel. Joe
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
It came from my friend's family, and none of them sews any more. Story is that it belonged to a great-grandmother that immigrated from Italy and she used it to make all the family's clothes. There is a good chance no one is going to ask for it back, but for now I am "storing" it. Once I get it up and running I am going to make the nephew and niece quilts on it to honor the great-grandmother.
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
Posts: 4,890
Basically a long term loan then. It's not unheard of. They're not quite ready to let go completely but want the machine to be where it's appreciated. I have an old Kodak box camera that was given to me under the same circumstances. My uncle told me a friend of his was loaning me the camera for my collection at the time probably 30 years ago. My uncle passed several years ago and I never learned who actually owned the camera.
It looks like a great machine. A very nice looking cabinet and the machine appears very well kept and is in great cosmetic condition. I don't think it was used all that much. I don't see any wear on the bed of the machine. It looks nearly new. Joe already explained about the drive wheel. I would love to have a machine like it. I still haven't stumbled onto the right deal for a machine with a turtleback motor like yours.
Rodney
It looks like a great machine. A very nice looking cabinet and the machine appears very well kept and is in great cosmetic condition. I don't think it was used all that much. I don't see any wear on the bed of the machine. It looks nearly new. Joe already explained about the drive wheel. I would love to have a machine like it. I still haven't stumbled onto the right deal for a machine with a turtleback motor like yours.
Rodney
#7
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
It looks like a great machine. A very nice looking cabinet and the machine appears very well kept and is in great cosmetic condition. I don't think it was used all that much. I don't see any wear on the bed of the machine. It looks nearly new. Joe already explained about the drive wheel. I would love to have a machine like it. I still haven't stumbled onto the right deal for a machine with a turtleback motor like yours.
Rodney
Rodney
I have been doing a bunch of research most of the day on it, there doesn't seem to be much of a following unlike the Singers. I did see a video about the fly wheel and being able to modify the modern universal needles to fit it. Fortunately, the manual was in the cupboard because I have been having a hard time finding the one that I have on the web.
I haven't turned it on yet because it looks really dry and didn't want to take a chance accidentally seizing something. I have watched the videos from Muv and Fav, so it's not as over-whelming any longer and I have a place to start.
Last edited by saor; 04-27-2015 at 11:26 AM. Reason: forgot
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Millville, NJ
Posts: 1,835
There are a few pictures in the Needlebar on your Free Westinghouse AAE. Uses a short needle called Free Rotary, CC1221, cc, or Boye 2-1/2 which is shorter than the universal or 15x1. My understanding is 206x13 are also too long and not a substitute for Free Rotary needle.
http://needlebar.org/cm/thumbnails.php?album=298
Jon
http://needlebar.org/cm/thumbnails.php?album=298
Jon
#9
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
There are a few pictures in the Needlebar on your Free Westinghouse AAE. Uses a short needle called Free Rotary, CC1221, cc, or Boye 2-1/2 which is shorter than the universal or 15x1. My understanding is 206x13 are also too long and not a substitute for Free Rotary needle.
http://needlebar.org/cm/thumbnails.php?album=298
Jon
http://needlebar.org/cm/thumbnails.php?album=298
Jon
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