AKgarden

I have recently acquired a 1926 White treadle in fairly good condition and am in the process of cleaning and re-lubricating the head and treadle. I have tore down the whole treadle and cleaned and painted it; am ready to reassemble but not sure what product to use to grease the bearings on the balance wheel and pitman rod. I have seen info from only using oil, (which I can't see as being enough lubrication), to sewing machine motor lube or water pump grease. I don't want to use anything too heavy that will cause it to not treadle easily but still want proper lubrication to avoid wear and noise.

Also are there any parts of the machine head that would benefit from lubrication of sewing machine motor grease over oil?

This is my first treadle and I can see how one gets hooked on refurbishing and collecting these! I love it; am glad I live in AK though where not many are available or I'd have a house full. I enjoy repairing and refinishing antique furniture so it fits right in.

Glenn

Sewing machine oil is all you need on the treadle irons and the White machine only needs sewing machine oil also. If you have a manual follow the instructions for oiling. If not you can fine a manual on Ismacs.net

AKgarden

No Singer motor lube on the pitman bearings? I am surprised; maybe I've been working on vehicles and machinery too long. I would have thought White bearings had come from the factory with some kind of lubricant other than oil?

Won't the oil "fling" out with fast treadling at the balance wheel bearings? We are talking about Singer light sewing machine oil here right? I can definitely see using it on the other stand joints.