Antique Sewing Machines

[DAP]

The CEO, whilst exercising her XMas gift certificate to her favorite auction house, picked up a "Damascus" sewing machine and cabinet.

I date this piece to about 1920, plus or minus 10 yrs. Its belt/treadly driven, and I GET TO FIX IT.

I'm going to disassemble it if it doesnt get to heady, lube it with 4 in 1 oil. But it needs a severe cleaning. Any thoughts on what to clean this with?

Anyone tackled on of these gizmos, a Singer perhaps? The attached pic I found searching the net depicts the actual machine we've got.

BTW, for those who collect or have auction addictions, the winning bid price was $40 USD plus 10% buyers premium. Even if it never ends up sewing a stitch, it is a nice looking thing that suits our home's aesthetic.

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Dozernut]

My wife has several machines in her shop where she does custom quilting. She uses canned air to occasionally blow out the lint that builds up. When she cleans her machines she uses WD40 to remove old oil and applies 3-1 oil. She said to be sure to lube your machine regularly or the mechanisms will wear out prematurely. She said you can get a belt for your old machine but you might have to order it. If you have an Amish community close (we live in the middle of one) you can go to their store and they carry belts for the treadle machines.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Dap, I looked at your post and thought "don't clean, use air" and what the old machines came with, "whale oil". Later it was 3 in 1.

Then I read Dozer's post.

Sounds l like 2 votes for air and oil.

Tom

 

[DocHeb]

Sewing machine oil is a finer oil (lower viscosity) than 3-in-1. I don't know if it really makes a difference or not.

 

[OkeeDon]

I read your post and immediately thought "WD40" to clean it. Then I read Dozernut's post and there went the wind from my sails. Still, I'll say it to make it two votes, clean it with WD40. It also does a nice job of taking bugs off of car noses and cleans stainless steel with a mildly abrasive sponge (always clean with the grain).

 

[beenthere]

I agree with the use of WD-40 to clean the machine too. But I always avoid using 3 in 1 oil. I quit using it years ago when it was the cause of sticking, gumming, and attracting dirt. I've heard this from clock makers (repairers), appliance technicians, gun smiths, and numerous sources that 3 in 1 oil is not a good lubricant.

Just my 2 cents, and felt I should throw it in here, just to add to the thoughts already presented. It makes no difference to me what anyone uses. I found much better results over time when I didn't use this type of oil. I think it is a 'wannabe' oil for all too many different applications.

 

[MossRoad]

My parents were married in 1949. That year they bought a sowing machine from Singer. My mom always used 3-in-1 oil. My sister still uses the machine in her business as a dedicated button holer. Still uses 3-in1 oil. 55 year old machine still works great.

 

[Deerlope]

You may use all the WD-40 that you can carry home, I used to use it by the gallons until I did research and found something better.

 

[DocHeb]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( until I did research and found something better ... )</font>

To find out the name of this better product, send $9.95 now! Receive a 25 page booklet giving the name of the product, and a description of the amazing properties and suggested uses of this new lubricant! With your first order you will receive an additional 3 months supply absolutely free! Guaranteed to astound and amaze you, or your money back - this product not available in stores! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DAP]

Thanks for the tips fellas. Here's an update. First, this machine wasn't just 'dirty', it was D-I-R-T-Y. At least 75 years of sumpin caked on it. I actually thought the finish was a black matte but after using some ammonia on an inconspicuous part, it became clear that this machine has a rich black enamel glossy finish to it. This presented another more troubling problem. The decals on it (CEO says to preserve them at all costs) are suseptical to ruin via certain chemicals, ammonia being one of em. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Soap and water wont even dent the crud on the surface of this bad boy. Further research says some people actually use WD40 as a cleaner. Others said Turtle wax Bug and Tar remover works without ruining the decals.

This is gonna require several passes.

I dissassembled the lower end of this machine, used some goo-be-gone on the steel parts and that worked ok. WD40 and 3-1 oil unfroze it and have most of it turning now.

We restore a lot of wood antiques here and today we will clean up the console using our tried and true method of a solution of minerals spirts and linseed oil with soft steel wool. This cleans old dirty wood surfaces and restore their surfaces with excellent results.

I'll post some pics when it is a worthy piece again. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Boondox]

DAP -- My CEO restored a treadle 1903 Singer in much the same shape as yours. She used Ivory soap on a damp (not wet) cloth. Don't use one of those sponges with the scrub pad on one side! It took her a LONG time, but the machine looks great now -- complete with intact decals and that gorgeous black patina finish -- and it actually works!

Good luck!

Pete

 

[Von]

As an antique dealer, I might get in big trouble for giving out this big trade secret, but here it is! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif If you want to get it real clean use hand cleaner! can't remember the name but its the white creamy one. Works on both wood and metal for removing oil and dirt! can just be wiped on and off with a rag. Then just give it a wax job and oil it up and your wife is ready to sew! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Hakim]

My wife owns a perfume company, and gets display boards back from stores and refurbishes them. They have all kinds of oil-based stains caked all over them.

The ONE product that seems to work above all others is "Citrisolve", or one of the other citrus-based cleaners. Will even take black magic marker off a light tan carpet.

 

[trkbldr]

Would that hand cleaning product be "GOOP"? It is definetly good for things other than cleaning hands.

 

[DAP]

Pete ... I tried some Dawn liquid on this thing to begin with. After a minute or 2 I started to get a lil shine. Later, after letting some parts soak in solvent, I accidently dropped a drop, literally a drop, of ammonia on the part I had just done. Wiped it off and said "Chief, you're gonna need a bigger boat" kinda expletive. Basically, the Dawn just cleaned up the upper most layer of CRUD! This thing is DEEEEURTY.

I picked up some Turtle Wax Tar, Bug and Sap remover and this did get some of the scum off the decals without dispensing with em, but could not disolve whatever the heII is on the enamel.

Next challenge is to find a drive chord for it. I'm guessing the originals were rubber? Have to check with that place in Hebron Ohio that sells this kinda stuff. Name escapes me.

Lastly I got the treadle freed up and spinning like a top. The iron work is filthy also and I'm praying to god it isn't black enamel also. After about 20 hours on this puppy now, I can say this emphatically, AMMONIA has proved it's mettle, but it eats the decals for breakfast.

Perhaps I'm grossly underestimating the amount of cleaning passes this thing needs. 2 COMPLETE rolls of paper towels and I'm still at what appears to be square one, except for about 30% of where I did the ammonia thing (un-decaled sections). Anyway, it looks a LOT better than when I started ...

It's an interesting device, but not as interesting as our spinning wheels. That's another thread though.

Prisoners of yesteryear on this end. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

We'll keep ya posted.

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Prisoners of yesteryear on this end )</font>

Us too! We have the 1903 Singer treadle sewing machine in the living room, a couple of 1957 Dodge pickups in the garage, an art-deco 1950s front load washing machine, a 1930 Kalamazoo wood cookstove...all in an 1860 New England farmhouse! Our water comes from three hand dug springhouses dug in 1860, 1900, and 1950. Oh, and our "heating pad" used to warm the bed before turning in is a block of soapstone that absorbs heat on the woodstove all day till needed!

Not sure why we're like this when all the hills around ours are spotted with multi-million dollar trophy homes packed with all the latest conveniences. Maybe a bit of technology overload on my part -- living on a nuke submarine for a few years can do that to a fellow. But what makes my bride so special in this way? I'll probably never know, but will always cherish it!

Anyway...sewing machine parts. We got everything we needed to rebuild our old Singer on Ebay at great prices! Check it out!

Pete

 

[DAP]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Not sure why we're like this when all the hills around ours are spotted with multi-million dollar trophy homes packed with all the latest conveniences.
)</font>

Pete, my home (attached) was built in 1790, 214 years ago and the main barn was build in 1859. Actually, places like this are merely borrowed. Mortgage notwithstanding, my wife, the animals and me are merely temporary caretakers fortunate enough to know something meaningful when we see it and lucky enough to call it home for a while. The grave stones on the property are rev. war markers. I've spend a lot of time documenting this old historic place. My immediate surrounds too are getting packed with 6000 sq. ft. behemoths on a half acre of land. I do know one thing, those houses won't be standing in 214 years.

 

[Boondox]

Wow, what a beautiful home! Ours is much more modest, as Vermont 200 years ago was considered the boonies. Come to think of it, we're still in the boonies! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Two generations of my wife's family are buried on our land, and another four generations are buried a short distance down the hill on state land. So in a very real sense, we belong to the land.

Nice to find yet another kindred spirit! Pete

 

[DAP]

Believe me pete, this house was pretty modest when we got it also. Every room was carpeted and papered. A lotta turn of the century paper had to go and some really nasty shag carpeting hiding 18 inch oak planks. Yum. Gotta love plaster walls. We've done most of the work ourselves and we're tired! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Old house enthusiasts - lots o tinker time!

 

[DAP]

After a lot of cleaning both the machine and the wood and iron .... just need some old bobbins and a treadle belt.