Lots of machines look like this when I first get them - a bit sad and grubby. This is a 1918 Singer 99K that was given to my husband to bring home to see if I could get it going. The movement is incredibly stiff, and I have checked under the needle plate and found the usual wads of fluff. The face plate didn't look too bad...
... until I was about to take it off and realised what was missing.
For comparison, here is my 1927 99K, with the thread going through the hook which the other machine has lost.
How on earth did that happen? There is no sign of damage to the outside of the faceplate, nor on the inside, but somehow it came to grief.
Needless to say, that stopped me in my tracks with the clean up job. I am mulling over whether to try an improvisation with a hair grip and metal glue. Time will tell. There's no rush.
Update: No, I scrapped the idea of a hair grip - see the repair here.
One of the first machines I rescued is also missing that piece (mine is a White). I've never worried about it, since I don't have a treadle base to fit it (yet).
ReplyDeleteIt just seems a weird part to be missing. I know someone who is looking for a machine, and I thought this one might fit the bill.
DeleteLizzie,
DeleteI recently acquired a singer sphinx treadle machine, and your videos have helped SO much in cleaning it and getting it fit to use. I am wondering how you get your face plates so shiny? Mine do not look nearly as good as the ones in the pictures. Is that because they are just too old and damaged, or am I not using enough elbow grease? Is it possible to over polish and ruin them? Thank you so much for providing this valuable resource!
Hello Claire,
DeleteCongratulations on your treadle!
It depends on the condition of the metal. If the metal has gone beyond a certain point no amount of elbow grease will make it shine.
This is what I use, the metal polish in a tube. Just use it on the metal and chrome. It is made in England, so is probably more reasonable in price here. However, a tube lasts for ages, and you will be able to polish about 36 sewing machines with it as well as all your neighbours' cutlery.
https://www.tripeek.com/productsusa.html
Love, Muv
I would keep an eye out for another face plate on eBay or somewhere like that. Is it just the thread guide that's missing or has the end broken off the thumbscrew as well?
ReplyDeleteHugs G
Hello Gavin,
DeleteIt's an older type of face plate that didn't have a thumb screw, so it's only the thread guide that is missing. I'm inclined to try an improvised fix rather than getting another faceplate at this stage, because I haven't yet got the machine cleaned and oiled. If I can't get a good stitch it may not be worth the bother of getting a new face plate.
Love, Muv
Hi Muv,
ReplyDeleteMy 1917 66 has the exact same problem. The thread guide was missing when I got it, but it seems to stitch reasonably well without it, especially if I loop the thread behind the lower face plate thumb screw.
Please keep us posted on the results of your experiment with the hair grip and metal glue. If I weren't afraid of things like soldering irons, that's the repair method I would choose. I imagine that you might feel the same way?
I love your site and this is the first time I have written in - thanks for all the inspiration!
Emma in NYC
Hello Emma,
DeleteNice to hear from you!
It is interesting to hear that your machine has the same problem. I can't try the same threading fudge as you because this machine has no thumbscrew on the faceplate, but I will fix it somehow soon enough.
Love, Muv