Old-School tech

Just a quick note.

Last night I performed a full service on my 1923 99K Singer sewing machine. I had expected to just do a quick oiling but found that everything was disgustingly grime encrusted. Sewing machines 85 years ago were simpler things though and have relatively few moving parts, and very few "small" moving parts. So, I busted out: three flat-head screwdrivers, two wrenches, some acetone, Q-Tips (I must have used thirty or so), oil, and a little brush. Tools assembled, I proceeded to take the damn thing apart, clean and oil all the bits. Several times during the process when I thought a part was clean it would separate into two, or more, parts. Disgustingly grime encrusted! It took a couple hours to disassemble, clean, oil and reassemble. After which I dropped some oil on/in all the right hinges and oil holes, plugged it in and voila! It chugged along and reved up as the oil in the motor loosened things up (a little extra oil applied while running helped things along beautifully).

It took about thirty minutes to get the bobbin wound (some adjustments to be made on the winder) and now all I have to do is get it to pick up the thread. I had to scavenge one screw that had gone missing on the foot's push rod because the rod was moving and twisting which caused the foot to twist. Twisting foot means breaking needles, which in turn means shrapnel (a bad thing!).

I forgot to take pictures of the whole process, which Ramble pointed out this morning I should have done. Damn him! I'll have to remember to do that when I restore my Singer treadle machine and my White model 41. Does anyone have a hand-hold plate for an old White? Please!

Regardless, I'm very happy with the results. Sewing machines from that era (up until the 50s in my opinion) were works of enduring art. A straight stitch and some fancy feet, which I happen to have. :-), are all you really need. Built to last!