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Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
My wife recently inherited an antique Singer sewing machine from 1927 (there are several websites where you can look up the serial number and it will give you the model number as well as where and when that particular sewing machine was manufactured).

The machine is a Singer model 66-4. Originally it was my wife's grandmother's machine and it was also the sewing machine that my wife learned to sew on when she was a young girl, which is why she wanted me to refurbish it and bring it back to working condition. It probably works OK now, but it's a bit rough having been stored in less than ideal conditions for the last 25 years or so. The mechanisms seem to work without any binding and virtually all the part are there including a full set of add-on accessories for special types of stitches and such. So far, the only parts that I've found missing are the cover over where the bobbin is installed, the belt (it's a treadle-driven sewing machine) and a small screw, one of two holding the front mechanism cover in place (I've already found multiple sources on the web for most all of the parts that I'll be needing)

Here's a picture of where I started from:



Here's a closer look at the head:



So far I've pretty much removed all of the inter-workings and have started to strip the paint off the head. Once I get the paint removed and everything sanded-down and clean I'll repaint it and apply new decals (I've already ordered a set which replicates the original so-called 'Filigree' style which was the theme for this machine).

Anyway, as I go along I'll post more photos and let you know how it's going, and if anyone out there has worked on one of these before, any advice and help would be appreciated. So far I've got a lot of material to help me. In addition to the original owners manual, I've downloaded copies of the parts list with pictures of each part, as well as exploded views of the mechanisms. I've also managed to find a detailed set of instructions on how to 'time' and adjust the mechanisms.

And before anyone asks, I'm NOT doing this with the ideal that a fully restored example would be worth a lot. You see Singer made literally MILLIONS of the Model 66 and a fully restored machine can be purchased for a couple hundred dollars. No, I'm doing it because it's really the only thing that my wife inherited from her family and while our home is not quite suited for putting an antique of anything on display, I'm willing to make an exception in this case. Besides, my wife would like to see if she could still sew on it.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Well, "cam" is simply the ability to do so (sew), but the question is whether it's worth the effort to.

Interestingly, the basic workings look pretty similar to my mom's Singer we bought in the 70s.

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

As a general comment, more for cars than sewing machines, I'd far rather the original cosmetic finish and patina was retained and repaired than see them refinished to better than new.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

As with any old things, do you undertake a full restoration or refurbishment.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

That looks like an interesting project--my grandmother had similar machine. As for restore or refurbish, I would have been inclined to the latter, but it's your call (or your wife's).

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

My grandmother had a similar machine.
About 20 some years ago, I ran across an old Singer treadle machine in a cabin in the jungles of the Moskito Coast.It belonged to a Moskito woman. It was seized up. I cleaned and lubricated a couple of ball bearings and when I left it was back in service.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

We have s similar machine made by Eldridge, I believe. It still worked smoothly, but the belt broke pretty quickly. As you've found, you can get most parts as reproductions pretty readily... belts, included.
As much paint is missing off of that, I'd be inclined to repaint it also.
I refurbish old bikes, and prefer to keep original paint whenever possible, but sometimes, there's so little left, that it just needs to be repainted...
Looks like a fun little project, and even better that you're saving a family heirloom.

David
Connect with me on LinkedIn. http://lnkd.in/fY7-QK
Quote: "If it ain't broke, I must not've fixed it good enough"

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Be careful while sanding. Never know what might be in the paint or original casting material.

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

We have a very similar machine in my summer camp (completely off the grid, no electricity). It's been there as long as I can remember, I think it came with the place when my Grandfather bought it 61 years ago but it was probably 30 years old at that time. We have used it on many occasions making curtains, pillow cases, etc. It had gotten a little stiff and crotchety several years ago, I went through it's guts, did a little cleaning and oiling and it worked good as new. I have replaced the belt a couple of times. My Mother was overjoyed that it could be "fixed" so easily. I'll have to find the serial number and find out when it was made. I'll have to look for manuals too, always good to have.

----------------------------------------

The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
As for the refurb versus restore issue, my original goal was to bring it as close as possible to what it was like when my wife was learning to sew with her grandmother's help close to 60 years ago (my wife turned 70 on Tuesday). As I said, the real damage was done over the last 25 years or so when it was stored in an unheated and often leaky garage that was used primarily for doing heavy repair and overhaul of cars and trucks (my wife's step-father was an auto mechanic who worked out of his own garage at home). My wife said, or at least in her memory, that the machine was almost like new when she first saw it and got a chance to use it, and that it worked probably the best of any machine that she's ever used (she currently has one of those 'computer-assisted' machines made by Brother that she says is so complicated that it's now collecting dust in one of our closets).

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

One of my daughters sews (and quilts) on a Singer Featherweight from the late '30s.
Older women borrow it from her all of the time because it is what they learned on.
We cleaned, lubed, and adjusted it but left the well worn finish.
There is quite an industry in repairing and refurbishing these older machines.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
A status report:

Well I've de-greased and cleaned all of the internal parts and have them all packed away in Ziploc bags.



As for the head, I've stripped-off all the paint, sanded the bare metal and finally rinsed and de-greased it as well.






As you can see, the casting of the body is rather rough and on the back side there's some significant porosity so I'll need to either apply and sand several coats of paint or find some sort of primer/base that will fill and smooth out the rough areas.

Note that the decals arrived today and they're a prefect match to what was on the machine originally.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Those wooden drawers to the side of your bench - for a second, I thought they were part of the sewing machine's stand. Any relation?

A.

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Looking good. You have a couple of options for the rough surface. There are high solids sandable primers. You probably can find these at a Napa auto parts store . There is also good old bondo. A good source of auto finishing supplies is Eastwood www.eastwood.com Don't waste your time with products like Lab Metal or spot putty.

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
No, that's just the chest for my model-making tools. While I've done plastic model kits since I was a kid and still have a really nice model of a Mercedes Benz 1928 SSK that I built about 20 years or so ago on a book shelf, but my latest effort was wooden ship model that I finished 6 years ago, as seen below:



After I finish with the Sewing Machine restoration, I may consider doing some model-making again.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Nice project.
Singer sewing machines in the same condition as your photos suggest sell at around 30 Euro here in Germany.
Mint condition machines bring 50...80 Euro.

So yours is more a project of love I guess.

Have fun,

Benta.

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
If I was looking to make money on this, I would stop now and sell the parts on eBay. From what I was just looking at trying to find the couple of parts that I need, it appears that I could get perhaps $300 or $400 for the parts alone and that's only the machine itself and not the cabinet and treadle mechanism. Many of the small links and control arms are going for %50 or more.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Nice project. My wife inherited a Willcox&Gibbs treadle machine. It was a Singer competitor. You may have found the website sewalot.com with lots of information on old sewing machines.

Ted

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
Yes, I've seen that site during my searches for replacement parts and documents.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

John, use a thin body filler for smoothing the casting. You could use a high solids primer but that will take a few passes.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
I stopped at my local auto-parts store today and picked-up a can of sandable primer and will give it a shot. I'll let you all know how it works out.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

I was going to suggest cellulose primer in particular, as it is dead easy to use and gives a lovely finish. Have you decided on a painting process yet?

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
Another status report...

I've finished painting the head as well as a couple of other parts that needed to be refinished (the cabinet and treadle mechanism will come later). Shown below is a belt-guard which is part of the bobbin-winder and the hand-wheel. For these I just cleaned them up, sanded the rough spots and applied two-coats of Black Dupli-Color Acrylic Enamel. For the belt-guard I then applied the new decal and then two-coats of Dupli-Color Acrylic Enamel 'Clearcoat'. For the hand-wheel, after painting it I removed the masking from outer part of the hand-wheel before applying the 'Clearcoat'.





As for the head, I first applied two coats of Dupli-Color Sandable Automotive Primer, fully sanding both coats, then a single coat with a very light sand. Then two good coats of Black Dupli-Color Acrylic Enamel. Then I applied all the decals and after they had set and dried, I applied two coats of 'Clearcoat'.







The hardest, or at least the most tedious, task so far was masking/plugging all of the threaded holes, oil holes, slide-ways and other opening in the head. This included the bottom which I also gave two coats of paint and a coat of 'clearcoat', but no primer as I didn't take the bottom-side down to raw metal as the shapes are just way too complicated.



Well now I'll set the head aside for a few days to let the paint fully harden before I start to reassembly the internals. Perhaps I'll start to dismantle the cabinet and start on the treadle mechanism. For cleaning-up those castings I'm going to take the pieces to a commercial sandblasting outfit as that ironwork would take days of sweat, blood and expletives curse

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

BEAUTIFUL.

I started sewing and quilting about 8 years ago and it's a lovely balance to writing reports about cracked basements - when I can remember to turn off my perfectionist engineering brain, at least. I've always wanted to try one of those old Singers.

EdStainless, those Featherweights are the gold standard, still. Easy to take with you and work like a charm... no worries about a computer glitch messing everything up.

Please remember: we're not all guys!

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

That looks real nice so far. Makes me want to restore a couple of those rusted and seized steam engines at my grandparents place.

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Well done, looking better than new.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
What's really amazing is that it sat for 25 years in an unheated garage without anyone using it, or for that matter, even oiling it, and yet nothing was seized on it. Granted, a few of the joints were sticky but all the parts moved. As previously noted, I haven't started to reinstall the internal workings yet, but the main drive shaft was left in place as it was not worth the effort to remove it so I worked around it for painting but now that that's done I've oiled the bearings and bushings as well as a 'wobble-cam' which eventually drives the mechanism under the base that oscillates the 'feed-shoes' that moves the cloth. Anyway, the shaft and the link down to the base now turn/move like they were new.

Yes, I, and my wife, are happy that it's going as well as it is. Other than a couple of missing items, I've managed to only damage one small item but I've found sources for replacement parts so it's looking good so far. Will keep you all updated as the project progresses.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Yes, nice job.

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
Another update...

I've reinstalled the internals of the sewing machine and everything seems to works as expected. Granted, I haven't actually sewn anything yet, but I've been taking pictures all along so that helps to get everything back where they belong, and besides, there were no extra parts left over (which is always a good sign), and the few missing parts are in the mail.



As for the rest of the project, the cast iron treadle parts are at the sandblasting shop and will be back by the end of the week. And I've started to strip the finish off the cabinet parts and am about 2/3rd's done with them. That being said, we leave for Texas next Thursday (it's our oldest granddaughter's high school graduation and we're driving to Katy, just West of Houston) so I don't think I'll be quite done by then, but It'll be close.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

What sort of finish do you have in mind for the treadle pieces?

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
I'm planning on following the same basic process as I did with the head, one or two primer coats, a couple coats of black acrylic enamel, then I have to apply the gold paint on the 'SINGER' names as well as the Singer logos on the side frames and then a couple of final clearcoat layers. I've thought about getting them powder-coated, but haven't checked the prices yet.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

How much will the pedal actually get used? I wonder if the implication from swall was related to durability of finish on an item seeing wear. Most simplistic approach might be extra coats of finish, assuming adhesion of layers etc. is good.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
Yes, I can see on the pedal part that most all the paint was worn off from the working side. The back-side was like new.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

I have found guys that will powder coat a bike frame for $100.
It might be worth looking into for the durability.

Looking good.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
Moving on to the next step...

I've gotten all the wooden parts of the cabinet stripped down to bare wood and will be starting to apply the finish today.



I'm using a light Pecan stain and a satin finish polyurethane. My wife says we have too much 'Oak' in our house but didn't want anything as red as Cheerywood, Also the traditional 'Early American' stains were just too dark, period.

BTW, I got a quote back for powder-coating the cast iron parts; $200+. I think I'll paint them.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

I have one just like it John. How many hours did this take you?

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)


RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
It's still a work in progress, but I suspect that I might have 30-35 hours in it so far.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
Another update:

All of the parts have arrived for the sewing machine itself (except for the belt which is in transit but that's the last item I'll be needing anyway) so it's all together but set aside for now.

The cast irons parts are back from sandblasting (and for $10 less than quoted) and have been given at least one coat of primer (the sandblasting guy warned me that old iron parts like these, once all the paint and scale has been removed, that they can rust in a day or two if you're not careful).

As for the cabinet, about two-thirds of it has been refinished with only the drawers and the drawer frames needing to be stained and finished. I've opted for a Pecan stain (two coats) with a final urethane clear semi-gloss finish (again two coats). The parts that are done are looking good.

That being said, everything is now going under the covers for a couple of weeks as my wife and I leave for Texas on Thursday (BTW, do you still call it a 'vacation' if you're retired?) for our oldest granddaughter's high school graduation. We're driving to El Paso Thursday night and then on to Katy (just West of Houston) by Friday evening. Graduation is on Sunday and then we're going to visit some friends up in Waco for a couple days before we return to Katy. We head for home on Sunday the 12th arriving back in SoCal by Monday. Our granddaughter is coming back with us to spend the summer so we'll get some quality time playing grandparents. If I get the old Singer done on time, perhaps my wife can teach her how to sew the old fashion way winky smile

Anyway, I'll see you all in a couple of weeks as I no longer have a laptop (it's on my wish list) so I won't be able to keep-up with everyone until I'm back.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Safe travels!

Please remember: we're not all guys!

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
After another 10 day delay (due to my wife and I being part of a 'travel-team' hosting a weekend retreat at a church in Bellevue, WA, we then took a few days visiting some friends and relatives over in Yakima and Prosser on our drive home), I've put the final touches on my sewing machine project and it has turned-out pretty good, if I do say so myself.







Note that I haven't tried to sew anything yet so there might still be some fine-tuning required but so far everything appears to be working.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

That looks fantastic, John! A fine job, indeed!
An heirloom to be treasured for generations to come.
Nicely done!
g.

gbangs
TC 8.3.3
NX 8.5.3.3 MP11

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

That is a work of art right there. Nicely done.

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

I'm sure that you got how much brain did it take in the design of this sewing machine.

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has. Rene Descartes

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

(OP)
Yes, being a Mechanical Engineer and having spent the first 14 years of my career working as a Machine Designer, I truly appreciate both the technical foundation and the implementation of it, particularly in the case of the Singer 66 sewing machine, a mechanical concept that is over 100 years old (and in the case of my particular example, manufactured 89 years ago). Despite being heavily used for half it's life and then being ignored, left abandoned in a hostile environment for the second half, it was amazing how well the internal parts were still in working order, only needing to be properly cleaned and adjusted to bring it back into fully usable form. Granted, a lot of work went into restoring the appearance and finish of both the mechanical and structural aspects of the machine, but the mechanical soundness was always there.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: Just started my first serious post-retirement project: Restoring an antique Singer sewing machine...

Besides durable material, I think sewing mechanism shall be praised for proper functioning despite its simplicity. Just a moment think about how it dwells while the needle penetrated into the fabric. If the movement of the underlying rack is continuous, then the fabric moves when needle is in it and breakage is inevitable.

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has. Rene Descartes

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