Originally Posted by Darcene

Many of the older machines started their lives as treadle machines...then when more people had electricity become available the machines were converted to electrical power by mounting a motor onto the machine which was then connected to the drive shaft by use of an external belt. These are referred to as the belt drive machines. As electricity became more and more prevalent Singer developed a motor that was original to the machine and which did not require a belt. These motors are mounted up high on the tower of the machine and drive the drive shaft by use of internal gears....so if you find a machine that does not have an external belt and has a motor mounted up close to the top of the arm you have a potted motor....I hope this helps...it took me awhile to learn the difference and I hope that I have not made this too confusing.... :-) The 15-90 can be easily converted to a treadle while I don't think this is possible with the 15-91 due to the internal gears.....

Originally Posted by MarieM

Good evening all, I mentioned last Friday that I was calling on a Singer 15-91. I went today to take a look at it, very clean, started right up so I brought her home. Lots of attachments and accessoreis came with it. My question is this. If a machine is running well should it be dismanteled and cleaned or can I just oil her up and give her an exterior clean and shine? Also I know in Billy's lessons he uses brass cleaner on the badge, my new machine has a centenal badge so I didn't know if I should use brass cleaner on it or not. If not what do you recommend?

Thanks for the input and I'll post pictures this weekend.

Originally Posted by miriam

The Montgomery Ward was driven by a little rubber wheel that rode around the balance wheel - it was a bit brittle and when it got hot it would just spin & not move the machine so needed to be replaced - it's what I didn't know how to fix.

I sold a REALLY cool machine called a Belaire to my boss a couple years ago. He said his wife almost left him when he brought it home... It was candy apple red and white - looked like a car.

Originally Posted by roseOfsharon

Thanks Nancy! I need a couple of things for it to be tested out even. Belt, light kit, I wonder if you can just get the rubber wheel that goes to the bobbin winder .... or will I have to purchase the whole attachment part.

Originally Posted by Honchey

Hi Nancy, there's been conversation about "blackside" machines and I'm wondering about the "Singer 15" I picked up. You commented about it regarding the Potted vs bolted motors. Are there partial blackside machines? My 15 has the black tensioner ,stitch regulator and the handwheel is all black. the face plate and bobbin cover are chrome.. I think. Would this be considered a blackside? Anne

Originally Posted by BoJangles

The rubber wheel is called a 'friction wheel' and that is what runs the motor!

Geeze Louise!!!!!!!!! You had a candy apple red and white machine!!!!!! It had to be a 15 clone and that is one I am looking for! Wow, it is nice to know they can be found!

Nancy

Originally Posted by BoJangles

Well, that is good to know! I was thinking 'case' but you are talking 'cabinet.' I was thinking you got a case at a thrift store, but you bought a cabinet? I guess, I was thinking 'case' as someone on here posted a while back that most of the portable sewing cases work with most machines. I am looking for a case for a couple of my machines.
Nancy

Originally Posted by Pat Heinemann

It has been awhile since my last visit, Wow the pages keep coming.
I am looking for a tension spring, the one the thread goes through for my Singer 27. Does anyone have any ideas where I can get one that works, I got one off of e-bay but it is wrong and I tried to modify it to work but failed at my attempts. Thanks Pat

Originally Posted by BoJangles

Those rubber wheels are readily available at any sewing repair shop. Even Wal Mart, Joannes carries them in a package. The problem is that some machines take a smaller than average wheel, like the Rocketeer and 127. I just get one of each size and you are good to go, one will fit. They come in small, medium - which most machines use -, and large.

Nancy

Originally Posted by shnnn

That's not camping!! That's moving.