Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Chem 101 or ATFacetone.

I mixed up my concoction this afternoon.  It does not appear that acetone and ATF are solutes.
I found this adorable little glass jar in the kitchen sans cap.  It came from a shishi hotel that serves jelly in these jars.  I saved it for sewing machine repair.  I think Steven tossed the cap.  So I had to fashion a lid out of a rag and an ill fitting screw on top.  It works.  The acetone will evaporate readily but hopefully this will prevent that.  But if by Saturday  only ATF +4 is  left in the jar I will add some more acetone.  Actually, I just had an idea.  I will put this little jar in a bigger jar right now.   OK forget it.  I just transferred everything into a suitable vessel with a  proper lid.  There.  Now I feel better.
I asked for the cheapest.  Who knew it would be for Chrysler?  Now, here's a trivia question, what automobile maker also made sewing machines?  Yup, Chrysler made some  Kenmore 120 series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbT_pjliOaw

Personally I think it sounds like a lawn mower.  For ten bucks I could have that same model.  There is one for sale not 15 miles from here.  But it is UGLY and feels cheap and why would I want a CHRYSLER? 

Back to Chemistry lab.

I have a little bottle of acetone in my stash of chemicals and solvents. It is decades old nail polish remover.   It does not carry the same warning label found on the acetone I bought yesterday
I must warn my pregnant manicurist.  Seriously, I don't have a manicurist but if I did, I would warn him or her pregnant or not.    

So we shall see what comes of this little chemistry experiment.  I am not holding out a lot of hope.  I think I will get some fuel for my cute little butane torch and throw some serious heat on this part.  I did heat the part up with the hair dryer just before I put it in its bath.   I got to use my nifty little bench vice and just left the hair dryer on high for about five minutes.  When I dropped the part into the ATFacetone (sort of sounds like I am at a casino) I saw some bubbles float out from the roller.  Maybe something will get in there and loosen things up. 

3 comments:

  1. The White Company of Cleveland made cars as well as sewing machines.

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  2. Hi Elizabeth,
    I've been following your blog, which I find most helpful, while trying to keep up with my wife's garage sale/estate sale sewing machine buying habit. Thanks for a LOT of good tips!
    Your chemistry experiment prompted me to write this note. I had to laugh a bit as you are half way to a concoction I use. I'm referring to Ed's Red, which is a very popular cleaner in one of my interests, used for gun cleaning. The stuff works great for freeing up gunked up stuck parts and is quite economical, just a bit smelly. It's comprised of equal parts of Dexron ATF (GM), kerosene, odorless mineral spirits, and acetone. Here's a link that gives a bit of history ( the recipe is half-way down the page):
    http://handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=9
    Steven may be familiar with this cleaner...

    Anyway, thanks for a most helpful blog. I use it quite regularly as I dive into yet another yard sale find. I need a bigger barn!
    Steve ..

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  3. Toyota,as well. But they make almost everything.
    I suspect Tata of India; their web site says they make textile equipment, but I cannot discern if they make domestic sewing machines. I think not.

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