Monroe

I am grateful for how generous everyone is with their knowledge and encouragement here. Great photos, tips, and hints- Thank you!

SewExtremeSeams

Here's one of those stupid questions you mentioned Joe. I am greasing my 301 today with my TriFlow Synthetic Grease. It will be my first time. Any specific pointers? How much is enough, do I just lay it on the gears.

A few weeks ago I took the tension assembly apart on my FW (also my first time) and put it back together. It didn't seem to be in there quite right but it worked. Then, it didn't work so I took it in to someone local who works on machines. He called me and told me that the spring had been bent and it was easier to replace it for $5. So, I said ok. I will be picking it up today. I can't imagine how that spring got bent. It will be so nice to have my FW back. It is one of my favorite machines for paper piecing.

Brynn

Isn't it a bad idea to use TriFlow grease? I thought the oil was fine, but the grease had the potential to cause issues...

J Miller

Linda,

I bought one of the curved tips syringes when I got my tube of Tri-Flow grease. Since it doesn't fling off or run off like other greases I just extrude (fancy word huh) a small stream around the easiest to get to gear and let the gears spread it around. It really doesn't take much.

I have had three top tensioner springs replaced. All were broken when we got the machines. There is only one right way for them to go in and they can get bent or twisted if put in wrong.

Joe

Candace

Where'd you hear that? Triflow is great. Just don't put it in motors and you'll be fine.

SewExtremeSeams

I think I read that somewhere also but so many 'experienced' vintage machine repairers on this board have successfully used the TriFlow grease on the gears.

SewExtremeSeams

Thank you Joe. I must have put the spring in incorrectly but DH and I thought we were following the directions pretty carefully. I remember thinking that some of the directions/photos in the manual and books didn't quite get as detailed as I would have liked. It felt so good doing it myself. Hope next time, I can be more successful.

spacebull1

Me too..

grannysewer

I'm looking for advice about some machines I have. Should I clean them up really well or should I sell them as is? They are treadle machine heads that have no cabinets. In pretty good shape, wheels turn and needle action looks ok. Thanks for advice you have. Bobbie

Candace

I guess I don't understand the question. Why wouldn't you want to clean them and get them in good condition?