I bought this machine last year on May 2. I remember the date because it was Steve's birthday. He was very understanding. I had to go to Barryville, NY on the PA/NY state line to fetch it. I was already one third of the way there anyway because of work. But it was a long trip.
This machine is on display in the "museum." For some reason I turned the hand wheel on it last Wednesday. Oh my it was "gritty." I was sure I had serviced it last year. I could not stand that gritty feeling so this morning I took it out to the shop.
Turns out I had not serviced the motor. I thought that I had. I think I pulled the motor and cleaned the worm. The motor was not in terrible shape. But I think the bearings might be dry. I did drop some motor oil strategically as indicated by Bill Holman ( my hero on Vintage Singers). It is a bit better. I did clean the motor and commutator. This baby hauls ass; figuratively, of course.
I could not believe that the stitch is so even without any adjusting. I did have to take the tension assembly out but not apart. The release pin was stuck a bit. It did free up with Tri flow. When I put the assembly back in I did not put it in quite right. The +/- indicator is at 9 oclock, not 12 oclock. I will fix it tomorrow.
You either find the most beautiful machines, or you are really good at photography....or both! What a beautiful machine!
ReplyDeleteI purchased one of these recently at a thrift store.
ReplyDeleteMine has a nasty dent in the top (near the handle).
I haven't used my 301 because the motor sounds horrible.
But you've inspired me to pull it out & work on it.
Thanks