Macybaby

Jon, I won't even attempt to use the machine until my husband has gone over it. I'm bookmarking this thread so he can use it for a reference when he gets to this machine. At the rate I acquired them, if he starts fixing one a week, it will be a year before they've all been gone over. He reads on this board as much as I do, but won't post. If he has something to share, he makes me post it for him.

I love the "unique" in the vintage machines, so just had to get a Davis NVF one.

oldsewnsew

can Anyone tell me if I could modify a front slide plate from a Minnesota A(from auction) to fit the front of a Davis NVF? or sumthin else?

jlhmnj

A Davis Minnesota A,B,C,or S will fit with a little light filing. On the Nvf I've seen some front slides where the bottom is milled and unmilled:

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Vint...-Rear/84704493

The later serial number is unmilled.

Jon

oldsewnsew

thanks Jon!! even better! no filing! and the right mkgs! whoo hoo

jlhmnj

With a little searching I was able to find the "alternate" feedbar / needlebar return used on the later NVF's which consists of a spring attached to the feedbar and the other end attached to the stationary inside face of the head.

Jon

oldsewnsew

Well I took the pics anyway, so for contrast's sake...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]460449[/ATTACH]
I don't have a quick way to add captions and arrows, or at least I'm not aware of it.
The newer one is on the right, if you look carefully you can see that even the faceplates are different mounting points.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]460450[/ATTACH]
The one on the left, SN#3783670(maybe), is labeled Vertical Feed. The one on the right, SN#270980, is labeled Davis.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]460453[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]460454[/ATTACH]

oldsewnsew

You can also see the difference in tensioners.

jlhmnj

Jim,

Thanks for the pics, pretty neat to see early and late NVF's side by side. The tension is the big difference and the different "return" springs are also interesting. Probably many more subtle changes I never took notice of. Nothing much to change the dis-assembly / assembly / cleaning procedure.

Jon

oldsewnsew

In post #46 I mistakenly said the newer one is on the right. should have said left.

oldsewnsew

update. I finally got that stubborn roller bearing loose that was in a hard to reach spot eith the help of an indutrial strength heat gun. Cleaned up the rest of the parts with a HF ultrasonic cleaner with al[ATTACH=CONFIG]466067[/ATTACH]cohol in it first, followed with a tank of the rust disolver stuff whose name escapes me. Followed by some scotchbrite hand pads and a buffing wheel. Now a drop of TF in each spot will do what it needs to.