Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

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05-24-2011, 05:07 AM

#16451

Lostn51

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Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagemotif

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtapp9

A piece of advice please?

In the 500A that I just got recently, If it is not threaded it will sit and "sew" like mad. No catching or glitches or anything. As soon as I put thread in it and attempt to sew then I can feel it tightening up, like its catching, and the thread will break after maybe 4 stitches. Lots of birds nest underneath. Sometimes it wont even start to sew on its own and the two handwheels will part and the inner one (larger) will spin but not the outer (smaller) one. As soon as I pull the thread out it will "sew" again.

I have changed the needle. I have taken the tension unit off and loosened it. I have tried several different kinds of thread. I've checked the bobbin area for crud.

Any other things I can try tonight?

I've had to put them away a bit because I kept tinkering with machines and NOT getting any sewing done. I've about come to the conclusion that I should just pay the money for ones that have already been serviced. My patience really does wear thin pretty quickly when it comes to tinkering with minor problems with seemingly no fixes...lol. I had decided to take them to the local SMS for a servicing but seems their number is no longer in service :(....sucks for me.

Go look for another machine, 301, 201, FW, 15s. They work, and easy to repair. I forgot what machines you already have, but don't waste your time on that one.

Yes waste your time on this one!! The 500A is the best Singer made IMO. I would put that rascal next to a $7000 Bernina and send it back to school and it is almost a 50yo machine.

It sounds like the tensioner disc might be dirty or burred. Where in Arkansas are you? PM me and I might can help you out with the servicing.

Billy

05-24-2011, 05:11 AM

#16452

Lostn51

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Quote:

Originally Posted by laura59

Going crazy here. A couple of weeks ago, I got my second FW. Didn't get a chance to really clean it up until this morning. I'm not a very patient person, so, after using GoJo and a ton of cotton balls, it is still dirty. There is a brownish gunk that comes off on the cotton balls. I put some GoJo on, going in circular motions, wait a few minutes, then wipe it off. After doing this for the 4th time this morning, there is still brown gunk coming off and the machine bed still feels sticky. Is there something else that I can use to maybe get this cleaned up? I have the first FW cleaned and set up in my living room and it works beautifully. Wanted to get this one cleaned up so that I can use it in my sewing room. (I like to sew in the living room when there is something good on tv, which isn't too often, as we only get local channels, no cable). Any help will be greatly appreciated.

This might already be answered and if it has I am sorry to double post it but it sounds like your machine was japanned and what is coming off is the shellac. I would wait for a bit and give it a rest and then you can go over it with Liquid Gold and that will fix you right up. Sometimes a wax will help but not in this case I do not think. I run into this all of the time with the 1800's and early 1900's machines, and it is normal on finish degregation.

Billy

05-24-2011, 05:13 AM

#16453

Lostn51

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathie S.

I might have to drop by one of these days and surprise you all! Its not like I wont be in the neighborhood in a way, I have a date in SoCal to go machine hunting. :D Billy

Billy we will take you up on that. Just realize that So Cal if about a six to eight hour drive from us. Kathie

And a 20 something hour drive for me!!

Billy

05-24-2011, 05:13 AM

#16454

BoJangles

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HanNatNana

We were the opposite in that my DH loved flying and I wouldn't set foot on a plane saying that if I couldn't drive somewhere in my car then I didn't really want to go there. The night after he was diagnosed he was on a medical evac to the city and the hospital (where he worked) didn't know about my fear of flying and arranged for me to be his medical escort...so I could travel with him. It was very sweet of them to do this and because my whole world was about to crumble I got on the plane as arranged and in a weird way it got me over my fear of flying because that night I felt I didn't have anything to live for and didn't care if the plane crashed because he was terminal and I didn't want to live without him!!

Now, I quite enjoy flying and a few years ago made enquired about flying lessons but the $$$'s put me off. Quite a turn around for someone who previously wouldn't set foot in an airplane? Btw, I also went on a cruise as that was something I had 'always' wanted to do....but I didn't really enjoy it as much as I thought I would. LOL

Totally agree about these boards educating us about each other's lifestyles...it's like travelling while sitting in our own homes.

GNO is something I would really enjoy but don't even know anyone who sews, let alone collects vintage machines. If anyone is interested in a DownUnder GNO let me know!! Would be such fun!

Bronwyn ;-)

Bronwyn that fateful day that you 'had' to fly must have been terrible. I am always saddened to hear these stories. You two must of been pretty young. I am sorry for what you have gone through, but it sounds like you persevered because look at you now. If you know no one who sews, how did you get started? Is there a quilt store near you? I have made lots of sewing friends by taking classes at our local quilt stores -- tons of fun!

Nancy

05-24-2011, 05:17 AM

#16455

BoJangles

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Honchey

Hi Nancy, It's a Touch and Sew zig zag # 758. It has the cams 16 of them...slant needle. I got the bobbin winder going.. the button that you have to move to the left was kind of stuck but I got it moving from underneath. It has a very nice stitch. The photos are on page 1094. I now also have a 403 besides my 500A...both of which didn't come with anything besides the foot on the machine. I can now use the attachments from this machine for them? Anne

Oh, I didn't realize you have the one Monica had such problems with! Well, I hope it works out for you and that machine, but don't expect it to last long. The 500a and the 403 will outlive the 758 I am sure! I bet the attachments are interchangeable if they are all slant shank machines.

Nancy

05-24-2011, 05:19 AM

#16456

BoJangles

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathie S.

June 4th. It would be a blast meeting up with those in N. CA area that post here on this board too. The Treadlon group is the GoldCountryTOGA.

They will be meeting about five miles from my house on the day I leave for my sewing cruise.

:-( They will be having another one in either Sept or Oct. I will be there with bells on. Kathie :)[/quote]

Me too, I will come to the September 10th meeting of Treadleon!

Nancy

05-24-2011, 05:22 AM

#16457

miriam

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BoJangles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honchey

I agree Nancy - I don't know about the white top hats though - have to try them - the rest is good - save parts

05-24-2011, 05:25 AM

#16458

BoJangles

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Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagemotif

Nancy, I have nothing against the Rocketeers, 500A or 503A.
I think they are way cool looking machines! If I were looking for an electric machine, this would be the machine I would go after, but I not into electric right now.

I agree, keep that machine. I just forgot it was the "Jeston" machine.

Oh, I like your new avatar too.

This horse is my 'last' training project! I swear I will never train another horse after that paint is trained! That is Buckshot, and he is doing great for just a few rides! I am getting to the age that I do not like the training -- I want to just ride without all the work!

I would love to hook up with you at the September Treadleon meeting.

Nancy

05-24-2011, 05:29 AM

#16459

BoJangles

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Posts: 4,585

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJisChaos

Here are the pics I have so far of them.

Wow, the Sphinx 27 looks great! The 66 needs a little loving care, but I am so glad you have saved these machines! They are such well made pieces of history that it is a shame to see how some of them end up!

Nancy

05-24-2011, 05:30 AM

#16460

miriam

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I saw on line that the 401G can be hooked up to a treadle because of the openings in the base - it would need a different balance wheel though - there is info on line:
German Singer 401G:
http://www.toolfool.org/sewing/index.htm

and

making it a treadle:
http://www.toolfool.org/sewing/401G-...d-Electric.htm

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to treadle mine - that would be the BOMB!! I wonder where to get a balance wheel like that? Could one be made?

more on the 400G series
Same website different page
http://www.toolfool.org/sewing/German-400.htm

I've taken the grooved balance wheels off other machine and compared to the 401 - none interchange - I wonder if it can be cut and welded or something to get one. Any metal workers?