Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
11-19-2012, 05:54 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: leavenworth, ks
Posts: 3,093
Your Rodney sounds like a neat machine and you have the grandkids to help. Lucky you. Seriously, cuz I have 2 cats to help me and they are zero help except to try to steal the Qtips, cotton balls and small screws. I have a lead on a turquoise colored White and can't decide if I "need" 
another machine and how do I disguise it in the herd.
Chris
another machine and how do I disguise it in the herd.Chris
11-19-2012, 06:33 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northern CA near Sacramento
Posts: 1,107
Miriam,
I had a Japanese made machine a few years ago that the top and nose were all one piece.
To get 'under the hood'. the top hinged on the (I think) the right side. Look for hidden hinges.
Cathy
I had a Japanese made machine a few years ago that the top and nose were all one piece.
To get 'under the hood'. the top hinged on the (I think) the right side. Look for hidden hinges.
Cathy
I picked up a 'Rodney' sewing machine - made in Japan - looks like 1960s two tone blue with some nice knobs and buttons on it. I've been trying to figure out how to get the top off. No pic yet - GKs showed up. The bigger kids watched a video so my helpers were Miss L and Wilbur. Wilbur had to tear himself away and 'help' grandpa cook chicken on the grill. They love it at the shop - all kinds of dangerous chemicals, grease, oil, heavy sewing machines - tiny parts - Q-TIPS! yeah Q-TIPS! - buy stock youall.... Anyway. As I was pondering the 'Rodney' Miss L my 'helper' comes in and wants to know what I'm doing. So I explained it to her and she sat and looked and looked - we didn't get it off - we did figure out how to get it loose. That machine all oiled up is slick! I'm thinking Rodney will hot rod! It will do zz and FM and ss - that's it. It just looks like it ought to sew itself. So in comes Walter and Wilbur - where do they head - straight for 'Rodney' So many buttons and knobs!!! Screwdrivers. Wow and it is a BLUE sewing machine!!! Do all guys grow up with knobs and buttons on their brains? The top of that machine and the nose is all one piece - there is a big nut type thing under the top that holds it on - then the pressure regulator keeps it from coming off. I don't think I want to remove that thing. Last time I did one I had a shaft hit the ceiling... Miss L and I looked the rest of the machine over and discovered that the motor cord was melted - someone must have used liquid wrench on it or something - it was a nearly a puddle. So Miss L and I took the motor off and looked at how I was going to fix that. The wires are soldered on, Glenn. Then we 'discovered' a PINK - yes Rodney came with a PINK foot control poor Rodney - how embarrassing... Then I messed with 2 Singer 306 machines. Those will hot rod too. They have cool knobs and levers but they just aren't two tone and BLUE - just only godzilla brown. So I tested a New Home and a White - it was missing a bobbin winder - I stuck one from a donor on there. So much for my plans to get the Kenmore machines fixed. Oh and Joe, I messed with that Good Housekeeper I got at GW, Joe - Melinda I might need a manual - all but one knob seems to work now. Is that suppose to have a clear plastic cover over the front? Seems a bit wonky. We tested out every type of old cam I have in the place - nada... none fit. The one Kenmore I started with - one knob still frozen up. I'm thinking I might buy myself a Dremmel tool for my birthday.
Sure good to see Charlee around again and Trish & Pat too.
Sure good to see Charlee around again and Trish & Pat too.
11-19-2012, 06:54 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
11-19-2012, 06:59 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Sorry for being MIA again...seems that life wants me to keep busy!! My oldest son and his wife have come home to "roost" for a bit, so I don't get much computer time. I've also been busy with another activity...and that occupies quite a bit of time...and trying as well to get a few things done for the holidays...
Jan, I was so sorry to hear of your husband's passing...wish I could be there to give you a big hug!
I'll try to be around more often...I really miss you guys!
My oldest son and his wife have come home to "roost" for a bit, so I don't get much computer time. I've also been busy with another activity...and that occupies quite a bit of time...and trying as well to get a few things done for the holidays...Jan, I was so sorry to hear of your husband's passing...wish I could be there to give you a big hug!
I'll try to be around more often...I really miss you guys!
Nancy
11-19-2012, 07:01 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
I picked up a 'Rodney' sewing machine - made in Japan - looks like 1960s two tone blue with some nice knobs and buttons on it. I've been trying to figure out how to get the top off. No pic yet - GKs showed up. The bigger kids watched a video so my helpers were Miss L and Wilbur. Wilbur had to tear himself away and 'help' grandpa cook chicken on the grill. They love it at the shop - all kinds of dangerous chemicals, grease, oil, heavy sewing machines - tiny parts - Q-TIPS! yeah Q-TIPS! - buy stock youall.... Anyway. As I was pondering the 'Rodney' Miss L my 'helper' comes in and wants to know what I'm doing. So I explained it to her and she sat and looked and looked - we didn't get it off - we did figure out how to get it loose. That machine all oiled up is slick! I'm thinking Rodney will hot rod! It will do zz and FM and ss - that's it. It just looks like it ought to sew itself. So in comes Walter and Wilbur - where do they head - straight for 'Rodney' So many buttons and knobs!!! Screwdrivers. Wow and it is a BLUE sewing machine!!! Do all guys grow up with knobs and buttons on their brains? The top of that machine and the nose is all one piece - there is a big nut type thing under the top that holds it on - then the pressure regulator keeps it from coming off. I don't think I want to remove that thing. Last time I did one I had a shaft hit the ceiling... Miss L and I looked the rest of the machine over and discovered that the motor cord was melted - someone must have used liquid wrench on it or something - it was a nearly a puddle. So Miss L and I took the motor off and looked at how I was going to fix that. The wires are soldered on, Glenn. Then we 'discovered' a PINK - yes Rodney came with a PINK foot control poor Rodney - how embarrassing... Then I messed with 2 Singer 306 machines. Those will hot rod too. They have cool knobs and levers but they just aren't two tone and BLUE - just only godzilla brown. So I tested a New Home and a White - it was missing a bobbin winder - I stuck one from a donor on there. So much for my plans to get the Kenmore machines fixed. Oh and Joe, I messed with that Good Housekeeper I got at GW, Joe - Melinda I might need a manual - all but one knob seems to work now. Is that suppose to have a clear plastic cover over the front? Seems a bit wonky. We tested out every type of old cam I have in the place - nada... none fit. The one Kenmore I started with - one knob still frozen up. I'm thinking I might buy myself a Dremmel tool for my birthday.
Sure good to see Charlee around again and Trish & Pat too.
Sure good to see Charlee around again and Trish & Pat too.
Nancy
11-19-2012, 07:06 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Talking of Grandkids, I just bought my 17 year old granddaughter a Pfaff 1222e, from the late 70's! I gave her a choice of the vintage Pfaff 1222e or a new plastic machine from Costco! She wanted the vintage machine that is not a computer! She has used my 1222e a lot and loves the machine! I didn't mind spending the money at all for the vintage Pfaff - that machine is so well made! She will have it for as long as she wants it! The best part is that I can help her with any problems she has understanding the machine because I have had mine since 1976, and it is still one of my go to machines!
Nancy
Nancy
11-19-2012, 07:21 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Nancy, it would be very interesting if the old girls could talk. I like you would love to know the stories behind some of them.
Skip
Skip
11-19-2012, 08:55 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 672
Now Miriam, Good ole Rodney surely isn't embarrassed about a pink foot control. Everyone knows that a good blue (male) machine needs a good pink (female) controller to keep him in line. You know, kinda like the humans...every man needs a good female to keep him in line...oops, I mean HAPPY.
11-20-2012, 12:32 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Southeast Georgia
Posts: 2,526
I just came upon this thread and Have read several of the posts. I am wondering do you all really quilt on the old sewing machines? Or do you purchase them to restore and sit around the house...I think they are beautiful....Can you post pictures of quilts that you have made....
11-20-2012, 12:37 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Southeast Georgia
Posts: 2,526
Like Judge Judy says, "Beauty's only skin deep, but stupid goes clear through."
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