Restoring my Grandmother's Singer Sewing Machine

[Methuselah]

Here's a link to an old sewing machine manual - the braider looks like your right-hand mystery accessory to me:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/91283828/F...nn-Manual-16MB

[Shangas]

I use NOS Singer Lubricant on my 66 with no problems -- it should be a white vaseline-like jelly, not runny or chunky or dark-colored, so if it's like that it should still be usable. There are two grease fittings on the opposite ends of the motor -- just squeeze a tiny bit of grease into the openings and that should hold you for quite a while.

Hi Lizzie,

Much thanks! Yes, I've examined the grease and it's still in good condition. I've lubricated the motor as instructed. Probably the first time it's been done since the machine left the factory back in 1950!!

I'm very pleased with my progress so far, in this little project. But I require some help, if anyone can give it to me...

By searching online, looking at photographs and making extensive use of my grandmother's 5ft-long measuring-tape, I have certified that the extension-table for my Singer is 8-1/8th inches wide, and 8-1/4 inches long.

But I still require this information:

1. What does the CATCH or HOOK on the end of the table (that hooks onto the machine-base) look like?
2. How THICK is the wood that makes up the body of the table?

I haven't been able to find that information online anywhere to my absolute satisfaction.

I ask this because I'm desirous of making my OWN extension-table. I have the wood, the glue, screws, sheet-metal and all the other stuff that's required...but I don't have all the measurements. From what I've seen online, these things are quite rare, so I don't hold out hopes of being able to realistically buy one. And it'd be easier to make one at home.

--- --- ---

Lizzie, just asking: When/if I run out of the original Singer lubricant/grease...what kind of modern grease can I use to replace it with? What might be suitable as a substitute? And how often should I grease the motor?

Methy, I've looked at the link you gave me. It may be the one, it may not be...I'll need to look closer to be sure.

This is my Singer case:



It's the original for the machine. This is what it looks like now:



It's got the oil-can, and the knee-lever in-place. THIS is what it should have looked like originally. It's what I'm hoping to restore it to:



I have the BOX on the right, but I don't have the wire rack that holds it in place. I'm gonna try and make one. It shouldn't be that hard.

Then I need the extension-table as well.

[LizzieMaine]

Singer lubricant is basically a white lithium grease, so you should be able to substitute that if necessary. Actual Singer Motor Lubricant is still made -- it's not easy to find in stores, but you ought to be able to track it down online, and given how little you have to use at a time, one tube should last for many years.

I add grease when it looks like all the grease has been wicked out of the fittings into the motor. This might be once or twice a year depending on how heavily the machine is used -- it isn't something you have to do often.

[Shangas]

Thanks Lizzie.

I'm still trying to find more photos of the extension-table for my Singer...I'm doing my best to go by diagrams and pictures and such, but it'd be easier if I had some clear photos of exactly what one looked like. I've got a rough idea of how thick it is, how long and how wide...but still, nothing will beat the original.

The biggest puzzlement to ME is how the catch at the end interacts/locks with the lock-hole on the machine-base. I haven't been able to find a good picture of that. assume it's something like a backwards 'G' and it just hooks in and under the plate like that.

[Shangas]

BEHOLD...



Singer Automatic Zig-Zagger.

Comes with:

Zaggyziggler...
Box.
Instructions.
Dog-plate.
Fastening-bolt.
8 of the original 10 cams. (Hey, 8 out of 10 ain't bad!)

Cost was $8.

The Collection Thusfar:



Top: Buttonholer + Motor-manual.
Next Down: Attachments + oil-can + motor-grease + Needles.
Next Down: Automatic zigzagger + Dressmaking Shears.
Next Down: Needles + newer Singer round bobbins + Needles.
Next Down: Older-style Singer round bobbins.
Next Down: Bentwood case key + 5ft measuring tape.

[Shangas]

[59Lark]

shangas; the bed extensions were common with european machines not north american, I have a 128k handcrank on my website and its came with a base and a suitcase and it has the bed extension that hooks onto the end. I see these mostly with european machines , motor lube is available in singer shops, you dont really need to use, most of that stuff goes hard in the tubes to the bearings, if i feel a motor bearings are dry I WILL put a drop on the end of the bearings, machine oil but just a tad. machine oil should be clear if its yellow it gone rancid. mike ie 59LARK

[Shangas]

My machine's a Singer, but it was made in Scotland. Would that count as a 'European' machine? I don't think it's possible to BUY the extension-bed, so I'm hoping that I'll actually be able to *make* it instead.

I have measurements, and I've seen photographs. I don't think it'll be that tricky to knock one together. Or at least, a close-enough approximation.

[59Lark]

shangas; let me rephrase that, machines intended to sell in the european market, lots of kilbowie singers were sold inthe empire. However the machines made for the north american market did not have the bed extensions, machines that i have found brought from europe such as holland and england did have this extension, new south wales would qualify as europe. Find someone in new south wales to lend you one and have a woodworker make you one 59LARK

[Shangas]

I have photos and measurements, I reckon I could make one myself.