SteveH

Last night I have to say that my behavior was probably not appropriate for a 51 year old,
but....yes, I was giddy.

It never hurts to ask a question politely, so I asked my "dealer" if he had any parts for my
early Wheeler Wilson 8 sewing machine. (You know, the "parts" head I just got that has a serial number that was 1/6 of the next oldest)

Anyway.... He sent me a pic of a WW8 and said, I have two, they both look about like this... and sent me a pic of a WW8 in a damaged portable base but with no lid or handcrank...

Again, it does not hurt to ask politely, so I asked if he had the "missing part" he said "yep".

I said I'll take it.

So when I opened the box and unwrapped the cling-wrap and foam I discovered the complete intact box-joint case of a WW #8 portable ... Begin undignified happy dance.

OMG... Dirty as hell, but the quick clean last night did wonders.. I am working on repairing the crank handle today at lunch...

I Love the rope handle....

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SteveH

So, I guess they lost the key at some point, so they came up with these eye bolt and snick hook arrangements...

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They key would need to be a HOLLOW square...
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So, the seller told me the handcrank needed some work, but I did send him a message today asking if his was damaged before shipping. The break looked fresh.
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SteveH

Here is the machine and base prior to cleaning.
(I am posting in groups of three pics because some folks with dial-up have requested this before)
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SteveH

and after....

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SteveH

Here is the handcrank in position. It is a bar that goes through a hole in the handle

The past pic is a document found under the machine.. too cool!

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brunswickgirl

That is just way too COOL. I have my eye on one. Keep us up to date on how the handcrank comes out.

DanofNJ

I am so envious, that is one beautiful machine...and the case is terrific, never saw a portable, I LOVE it!!!!!!

nanna-up-north

Here you go again, Steve. It's a beauty..... and we are all green!!

mighty

Sew cool!!!!!!

SteveH

I was playing with this machine a bit this morning. (Fidgeting really, waiting for my DD)

I was enjoying how smooth it moved, when i realized that without all of the TV and computer noise from the night before I could hear a quiet little 'scrape, scrape" on every rotation.

Being who I am, I grabbed my tools and started to hunt the noise down. I have degrading hearing so to pinpoint sounds like this I have gotten in the habit of using an old mechanics trick of using a screwdriver as a stethoscope. (metal end in contact with item to be listened to, handle end against center of ear) I was able to ID the noise as coming from the bobbin system, not the feed mechanism or bobbin tension assembly.

It turns out that when I popped open the bobbin cover to check it out I had only took a cursory look.. (observing like a teenager as my family says) when I really removed it there was rust on the inside of the cover plate and some on the bobbin.. NO Problem, I have spares... One fresh polished bobbin and cover go in and now it is actually quieter than my Willcox & Gibbs chainstitcher...

I am SO in love with Wheeler Wilson machines....