This is the bobbin winder from Maria's Jones Family CS machine before I started attacking it with the metal polish. The easiest way to clean it was to unscrew it from the machine.
On close inspection you can see the black oily grime clinging around the screws. After scraping the worst off with a wooden cocktail stick, I used an interdental toothbrush to get the metal polish into all the awkward little corners.
After a good rubbing with cotton wool buds and a soft cotton cloth, the metal began to shine.
There are a few blemishes on the metal where the chrome has begun to lift, but considering the machine dates from about 1931, it is in very good condition.
To get all the rubbish out of the thread and the teeth which engage when the winder is in motion, I used a tiny bit of metal polish on an old toothbrush and rubbed it off with a cloth afterwards.
To clean the black japanned parts of the winder, I used a tiny drop of sewing machine oil on a dab of cotton wool.
Welcome to mdghall - thank you for following!
The temptation is to unscrew the 2 screws on the heart shape plate. I did this one time, it took me a long long time to get it set up again to run as well as it did. As one of the screws adjusts the large toothed wheel which connects with the rubber wheel drive shaft. Best thing is "if its not bust don't fix it"Keep up the good work. Duncan. P.S. Ask Santa for a steam cleaner. (use it once and you will see why)
ReplyDeleteYou know what Duncan, I've never suffered from that temptation. Getting slightly out of control with a screw driver is one of the hazards of being a bloke, if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteSanta says my sewing room is in far too much of a mess, and has been for such a long time, that he can't possibly think of bringing a steam cleaner this year. If I were near enough I'd nip round to your shed and see what you can do with your steam cleaner. When are you going to do a video...??? please
Love,
Muv
Dear Muv, Well have been very busy on the old video front. If you go to You Tube and go to Singer sewing machine 127 back from the dead. I have done 6 video's so far. My god it's not easy at all. Lighting, poor dialogue, droning voice, long pauses, out of focus etc etc. I think it will give people some idea on how to get them going again. If you go to part 4 you will see "the steam cleaner" in action. Part 3 at 4 minuets for the fly wheel remover. Tell Santa he lost all street cred and little children will not be happy with his stance. Now if you were asking for a 3 speed hammer drill with all the extra's, there would be no problem. I think Santa should go into the naughty corner and think about it. mmm. Love Duncan
ReplyDeleteHello Duncan,
ReplyDeleteI've watched your video, Part 4, and got slightly nervous when I saw the instrument you used to clean out the bobbin area on the 99K. The last time I saw one of those I was at the dentist's for a scale and polish. Perhaps I should be grateful she didn't use the steam cleaner.
Bravo Duncan, you are tackling the machines I leave behind. If a machine can't be cleaned up easily on the table and cleared out of the way when it's time for dinner, I just don't bring it home.
Me again, almost right with the tool we use them for foot operations and having been a theatre nurse since 1980 I a have a very refined touch. So in no way would the machines get damaged. I know what you mean though, one scratch on the metal and it would collect lint at a very fast rate. Or damage it beyond repair. Just one thing if you find my grammar and spelling a bit off at times I am dyslexic. Just to let you know. The two 127's came out of a blocks shed both upside down under a whole heap of rubbish. He will be useful to me as he is in the car boot/jumble sale trade, and is on the lookout for other machines. So he is my man in York. Did you get the You Tube vids on the sewing machine restorer? Speak to you soon. Love and world peace (its about time) Duncan.
ReplyDeleteHi, I love your site, I just found it while browsing for info as I've just bought an old Jones Family CS serial no 471789.
ReplyDeleteI was following cleaning instructions on you tube and noticed there isn't a thread take up spring behind the tension plates on my machine. Do you know where I can get one? Lizzie Birkett
Hello Lizzie,
DeleteCongratulations on your new machine, and I am really pleased that you have found the videos and blog helpful.
The answer you are looking for is here
http://lizzielenard-vintagesewing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/look-no-tension-spring.html
To help find your way around the blog, if you look at the headings on the right hand side (listed under labels) and click on them, it will bring up all the posts about a particular topic. Also, at the bottom of the page, under useful websites, you will find Helen Howes Sewing Machines. She stocks parts, but as you will see, your machine doesn't need a tension spring.
Good luck with your machine!
Love,
Muv
Hi Lizzie
ReplyDeleteI inherited my great-grandmother's Singer 127 and have found your blog and YouTube videos to be a great help in getter her cleaned up. She's in great condition, just needed a good cleaning, so I have been quite busy!
I'm in a pickle now, though, because I failed to see the advice about not taking the bobbin winder assembly apart before I did just that. Now I'm afraid that I cannot remember exactly how it goes together and cannot find any resource online to help me.
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much for all that you have out there to help people give some love to these old machines!
Hello Tracey
DeleteIt is hard to help you from a distance. It is one of those situations where you have to remember that if you took it apart then it is possible to put it back together again - a bit like getting lost and having to retrace your steps. Look long and hard at photographs of bobbin winders and make sure you don't lose any screws. Not much more I can say, really.
Good luck!
Love, Muv
Thanks for the encouragement...I have managed to get it back together and have it winding bobbins...just making adjustments to get it perfect. And I will never take a bobbin winder assembly apart again!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Tracey! Sometimes these things can take a while.
Delete