Exercise

I have been sewing A LOT.  Every Monday I travel to an outreach clinic and there I work with some pretty wonderful women.  Yup.  All women.  I showed off a hand bag I had made and they all want one.  So now I am fulfilling my promise.  I have five of six done.  I used the 237 on Wednesday, yesterday and today.  I struggled with it, I admit.  While it is useful for zig zag, the stitch doesn't hold a candle to the one produced by the 201.  I finally switched back to the 201 tonight after scrutinizing the top stich on the latest bag.  I hated it.  I took it out and re-stitched it with the 201.  Heaven. 

The 237 is quiet.  And STRONG.  The stitch may improve if I switch out the needle plate with one for a straight stitch machine.  I believe the 239 is the straight stitch version.  I can get the needle plate for it and try it on the the 237.  I was using the 1/4 inch quilting foot, which is, in essence, a straight stitch foot.  Except that I messed up and put the foot on while the machine was still set for a narrow zig zag.  Believe it or not there was room on the foot to allow the zz.  Not full width, but still.  I should have tried the straight stitch foot.  Next time.

I think that the coil spring belt was too big for the 237.  The hand wheel kept turning backwards.  I did  not have that difficulty with the 201 with the large spoke wheel.   This created difficulty sewing.  I tore out many thread nests.  The fabric I was using frays readily and I did use the zig zag on the seams.  Interestingly the zig zag was quite lovely but something was just not right about the striaght stitch. I ordered a smaller diameter coil spring belt and a urethane belt from Mc Master Carr today.  I expect that later on this week I will have them.  Look for a post about the differences between the two.  Oh and I guess I will comment on the leather belt too.

All in all I enjoy treadling.  I have a bit of a galloping rhythm.  I am a one footer, but to increase speed I add my left foot.  It isn't really exercise.  But I am moving my legs and I am not as stiff at the end of a day of sewing as I am when I use the electric machine.  That is a plus for a woman in her seventh decade. 

Singer 101 and a Surprise

A reader emailed me about his 101.  He did a beautiful job restoring and repainting it.
Now I want to do this.  It is just gorgeous

Singer 101 Photo by John Tewksberry

Singer 101  Photo by John Tewksberry

Singer 101 photo by John Tewksberry

But this is my favorite

Singer 500A  Photo by John Tewksberry

Sometimes you do need ZIG ZAG

 I have been having a wonderful time with the 201-3 as a treadle.  The coil spring belt is a bit chirpy but I kind of like the noise.  Today I had need for zig zag, though.  I hauled the 237 out of the shop and put it in the stand.  The belt doesn't quite fit.  It's a 1/4 inch diameter belt.  I think I need the 3/16.  Time to order one from McMaster Carr.  And while I am at it I am going to order the infamous urethane belt too.  People rave about it.  I'd like to compare.  I wonder if the urethane would stretch the way the coil spring does?  I needed to drop the feed dogs on the 201 and all I had to do was lift the machine up a bit.  I didn't even have to release the belt. 

It looks nice in this stand.  I was having some trouble with the tension.  I finally decided to replace the tension nut.  The original was cracked all the way through.  It is much better now.  I wonder why I didn't do that months ago?

 I tried dating this machine.  I am not sure of its vintage.  As best as I can determine it might be from about 1963. 

So why did I need the ZZ?  As you all know we have three dogs.  The dogs sleep on the furniture.  I made a cover for the sectional couch years ago.  Originally it was in three pieces but taking it off to wash it was a huge hassle.  I finally sewed it into one big piece but it doesn't fit in our washer now.  So today, because it was time to wash it again, I literally cut it in half.  I needed to zz the edges where I cut it apart.  It worked quite well.  I then sewed a ten inch wide strip along the edge so that can tuck into the couch between the sections.  I had thought I might insall a zipper.  This was easier.

I also put together two quilt blocks for the Treadle On Block Exchange (TOBE) for the TOGA.

 The center stripe is for the Signature.  The idea is to make the blocks, all uniformly 6 1/2 inches square and then exchange them at the TOGA.  It commemorates the event and it encourages folks to actually use the machines.  I like the 201 better for piecing.  It makes a straighter stitch.  That could be me, too.  I think a SS needle plate might help as well.  More shopping.

More Room

I tried FMQ with no thread last night on the treadle.  It was awkward and felt as if I needed more working room.

I took the top off of a school table and put it on the treadle stand.  Then I brought a stand up from the shop (I actually brought two up, the first one didn't fit right) and set it up between the treadle and the window.  The top lifts up so that I can access the sliding glass door.  I covered it with an oil cloth table cloth I was ditching and VOILA.

I got absolutely no sewing done today.  I packed up a machine to send to the DGD in California.  Then I kept organizing and re-arranging and moving this and that.  Oh and I walked the dogs.

Treadle On

In honor of the upcoming Central New York TOGA, I have decided to sew only on treadles.  Except for the serger.

I started out today sewing on the 15-91 and when I finished that project, I headed upstairs to get the 201-3 out of its treadle stand and move it out to the sewing loft.

I am used to hauling stuff all by myself.  Steven had been called to an emergency and I figured I could just do it.

The stand is not heavy.  It is the one that I refurbished last year.  It has no drawers so it is relatvely light.  Getting the machine out was no problem  I have a coil spring installed on this machine.   But it didnt really pop right out.  I had to take the hand wheel off.  The belt is 1/4 inch diameter.  I think it is too thick.  I must check to see if there is a smaller diameter coil spring.

Once I got the machine out  I wheeled it to the top of the stairs.  I inched it down each step, one at a time but it is an awkward thing.  The pitman rod popped off of the foot pedal.  But it didn't break.  That was when I thought to myself

"What is a 60 year old woman doing moving a 100 year old treadle stand down a set of stairs?"

I got it down without breaking the pitman and I wheeled it out to the bottom of the sewing loft stairs.

There it sat until Steven got home from his call.  Wilson watched over it.

Treadling is not too hard.  It takes practice and I know I don't have a good, easy rhythm.  But once I tightened the cone bearings and the pitman rod so that it wasn't so clunky, I found it easier to treadle with a consistent "stroke" .  The noise of the coil spring belt is not unpleasant.  When I finish a seam and stop there is a noise that sounds almost bird like.  Chirpy.

I actually like that sewing stool as a sewing chair.  It is just the right height.  I likely will revert to the office chair because it has wheels and I like to be able to easily move it back and forth.  But today I was feeling all vintage.

What's one more?

I cleared out some room in the sewing loft last weekend.  Late Friday night I finally came in the house.  I had pretty much torn the loft apart trying to figure out what goes where.  I pulled a machine out of its cabinet and brought it in the house to display.  It needs a base but I love its green color.  I said nothing to Steven, just to see if he noticed.

Last night I couldn't stand it any longer.

"Have you noticed anything new in the house?"

"That the roof isn't leaking today?"

"No, something sewing machine related."

"Sewing machine related?"

I pointed the camera at the machine and snapped the picture. 

"That machine"

"Honey.  There are sewing machines everywhere in this house.  Asking me if I noticed another would be like asking a farmer who has 101 cows did he notice that he now has 102 cows in the field."

We laughed.  He is right. 

But then today a patient told me that she knew a farmer who named all of his cows.  That farmer would notice.

Kenmore 158.1803 Belts

A reader emailed requesting help with a Kenmore 1803.  The question:    I can't figure how to get the wheel off, so I can get the door off, so I can get at the belts!

I presume the wheel is the hand wheel. First I popped the top off of the machine.  I opened the door to the camstack and just pulled if off.  It is pressure fitted.   This machine has a little plastic cover that fits over the end of the hand wheel.  It is also  pressure fitted.  It pops off with a small screw driver.  My particular specimen is missing its plastic piece.  Underneath it you will see  a screw.  That screw holds the hand wheel in place. remove it.  I say loosen it in the photo.  Forgive me.  It must be removed.  That will allow the hand wheel to pull off.

 There are two screws holding the end piece in place.  Remove them.  The end piece lifts up and off.

The motor bracket nut must be loosened and the motor lifts up toward the top of the machine which will then allow slack in the belts so that they can  be removed.

Hopefully this helps.  I did not actually remove the belts today.  I honestly don't remember if I did remove the belts when I serviced this machine.  I know I took the handwheel off.  That is why its cover piece is missing.  Wonder if Sears Parts Direct has it.

The clutch on this machine is faulty.  I think it can be replaced.  Sears had it last time I checked.  I may have to consider replacing it as a Continuing Education Project.

HAH

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS....

READ THE DIRECTIONS.

I need more room in my sewing loft.  Last year I bought a vintage trundle bed for 2 bucks at an auction.  I thought it would be good for the loft, in case we had need for over flow sleeping space when company came.

It really is a dog bed.  I WAS going to do some serious re-arranging in the house and move this to the dog room.  Betsy talked me out of it.

"It sounds like a lot of work to me."

She saved me from myself.    The trundle sat at the end of the drive way all day today with a FREE sign advertising its availability.   The sewing machine stand keeping it company found a new home.  But not the trundle. Rain is predicted for tomorrow,  so I hauled it back to the barn.    I guess it goes to scrap metal.  I did advertise it on Free Cycle.  No takers.  Wonder why?  (Please, don't take me seriously.  I should have kept my two bucks).

With all that room, I was able to get some sort of order to the sewing loft before Betsy came over to play with the Juki.  There is still so much to do.  But it is a better work space now.  I really needed the room.  The dogs can just sleep on the floor.  I have more organizing to do.  The fabric is still in plastic bags or bins awaiting restoration to its home in the Genuine Authentic Fake Cherry Veneer Barrister Bookcase (REMEMBER THE PFAFF http://mysewingmachineobsession.blogspot.com/2012/08/remember-pfaff.html)  I need to cull and sort more stuff (the aforementioned sewing machine stand fell victim to my ruthlessness) but it is a much nicer work space now.  Less cramped.   And the Juki has its own space.

I managed to get things almost to this stage before Betsy came.  She helped clean up.  Then we unpacked the Juki.

Mom had given me tons of serger thread.  I set up the cones according to the color codes on the threading diagram.  Blue for the upper looper, red for the lower looper, green for the right needle and yellow (I only had white) for the left needle. 

I tied the new thread onto the ones left in the machine by the tech and turned the handwheel so that they would thread through the machine. 

It worked, sort of .   The loopers seemed to like that threading system. The needles, not so much.    Finally we were able to try it out.

All wrong.  We tried messing with the tension; first by increasing it, then by decreasing it.   By now it was time for Betsy to leave.  We really hadn't played at all.

I tried some more and then gave up.  I had lunch, mowed the dog path and went back to it.

The left needle thread kept breaking.  I finally decided to use the best thread that I had.  I found some Gutterman and some Mettler. Then I got out the instruction manual

Step by step I read the instructions on how to thread the machine.  I carefully followed the directions.  First the upper looper, then the lower looper.  Then the right needle and finally the left needle. The diagrams  are hard to follow and I didn't have a magnifying glass.  Finally I finished threading the silly thing.  It took an hour.

But in the end it was worth it.

Tomorrow  I will put all one color in and I am ready for overlocking. 

This machine is so much like the Bernina.  I may take the Bernina out of its coffin and examine it next to this one.  Who knows, maybe I can get some parts and try to fix it.   Who knows.  I won't have a manual for that though, I bet.

Juki MO 735

The serger came today.  I am pretty impressed.  TNMITW ordered it yesterday from his distributor.  It arrived on my doorstep today.

When I arrived home tonight from my long day, Steven met me at the door and pointed

"Look what came today."

I was astounded.  I carried it to the dining room table.  He took the knife to the tape and started opening it.

He couldn't wait.

We looked it over and determined that all is well.  One little piece fell out of the storage compartment when I opened it up. Uh Oh.

"I bet that fits right in there." Indicating a small spot in the storage compartment.  I checked the manual.  He was right.  WHEW.

I worked all day today and there is no way that I am going to try anything with this machine until I have had a good night's sleep.  I work tomorrow morning.  I may attempt setting it up in its new home tomorrow afternoon.  But no sewing until Saturday AM.  NONE. 

And then I may need supervision.

I think I will host a TOGA

 Now that I am officially on the Treadle On email list, I think I can call my "gathering" this fall a TOGA.

I will double check but since we will be addressing mechanics and use of people powered machines as well, I think I can claim it is a TOGA (Treadle On Gathering and Academy).

If not, it will be MSMO Days. 

Here:

The planning committee met yesterday after the morning walk.

So far no one can agree on the itinerary beyond: wake up, eat, nap, wake up, bark, nap, wake up, SQUIRREL, bark, nap, pester for supper, eat, nap, sleep.  New planning committee is being organized

"Have some cheese

to go with your whine."

OK  I am finally going to admit it.  I broke my serger.  I know it is broken.  I had the knife up and out of the way and I turned it the wrong way, late at night, when I was tired.  There was a terrible noise and everything jammed and the upper looper now hits the presser foot and the lower looper grinds its way through the cycle and everything is F*&%#D.  I know it is.  Wah Wah Wah.

I talked to The Nicest Man In The World* on Monday and explained my woes.

"The problem with Berninas is that you have to be a Bernina Dealer to get the parts. With labor and parts it will cost almost 300 dollars to fix.  I am not even sure that parts are available for a 20 year old serger."

I found TNMITW* via the WWW.  How else?  I knew the serger was done for.  I am careless and stupid but I know a broken serger when I see one.  I  shopped for a new one on line.  I decided that I wanted the Juki MO 735.  It has a 5 thread safety stitch and can be converted to do cover stitch.  Supposedly it is easier to thread than the older ones.  And it looks like my Bernina.  Dealer finder on the Juki website led me to The Sewing Shop in Sidney.  It didn't click until I was calling on Monday:  he had fixed my Viking when it  ran only in reverse 15 or more years ago.

"Hi, I am Elizabeth Perry.  Do you work on sergers?"

"It depends."

When I explained what had happened he gave me the bad news.  I knew as much.  I asked if he had the Juki MO 735 in stock.

"I don't keep them in stock.  I can order it for you and have it drop shipped to your home address. Let's see, the MO 735.  Retails for $AAAA.AA I can sell it to you for $AAA.AA. plus shipping and tax."

The quote was competitive.  Just about the same as on line.

"Oh, I have been researching them on line.  I am pretty sure this is the serger that I want.  I really want to deal locally.  Let me figure out if I want this one, or one without the coverstitch capability.  I feel like an idiot that I did this.  I fix sewing machines as a hobby.  I should have known better. My friend and I have a little business re-furbishing machines and fixing machines for little old ladies up this way."

"Oh competition, huh?  Good thing I am about to retire or I would be mad."

"Oh I doubt we could ever be competition for you.  A couple of wacky nurses who like to fix machines compared to what, thirty or more years of experience?"

I made my decision and called him on Tuesday.  He told me he would check with his distributor and call me back.  He did.

"I called and they have them in stock.  The cost will be  $AAA.AA.  (thirty dollars less than Monday's quote) and free shipping. "

Can't get around tax.

"If you send me the check I can get it ordered."

"How about if I bring it by after work tonight?"

"Even better."

His shop is just off of his house in a residential neighborhood.  I did not expect to see a display of model electric train sets.  But I was not surprised.

We talked about 201s and 221s and trains.  He showed me an 1858 New England hand crank that he had bought from a neighbor who was selling her mother's estate, years ago.  I swooned.

"What do you use for oilers?"  He asked as he headed across the shop to his amazingly tidy work bench.

"Oh I like Tri flow."

"Tri flow is good, but how about these?"  as he proudly held up two 10 cc syringes, complete with needle.  One with oil, the other with grease."

"What kind of grease is that?"  I asked, thinking I already knew the answer. 

"Vaseline" 

He double checked the vital statistics about my order and I left.  I would have stayed longer but it was supper time and I could smell dinner cooking.

"I don't want to keep you from your dinner.  It smells good."

"Oh yes, my wife is a good cook."

I could tell.

Today he called to report that he had ordered the serger and that it would be shipped today.  I might have it by Friday.  I think I may have to find a machine to take to him.  Just so I can check out that New England again.  Maybe he will let me take a photo.  Or better yet, I wonder if he needs an apprentice?

Oh, Brother!

A neighbor called on Saturday.

"Do you work on machines, too?"

"Yes, I do."

"My Little Brother is in desperate need."

"Bring it over.  I would be happy to look at it."

She arrived in a few hours with the machine.

"What's wrong with it?"

"The tension is all off and feel this?"  As she turned the hand wheel.  It was a bit stiff in one part of the revolution, relatively speaking.  It sure didn't turn feel like any of the machines I am used to.

I looked it over and found some screws that looked as if they held the clamshell body together. 

Then I popped the race cover off and removed the hook with about ten pounds of lint.

"I didn't know you could do that."

Then I removed the needle plate and found about ten more pounds of lint. 

"That's a nice little screw driver"

"It's all about the tools, J.  All about the tools."

She left on her errand when I told her I would VERY CAREFULLY try to take it apart. 

It was dirty and needed oil.  I cleaned it and gingerly put it back together.  I hate putting metal screws into plastic fittings.  I worry about strippage (if there isn't such a word, there should be)

As you can figure out by now, there was nothing wrong with the tension.  The stitches all worked fine and I called her to report as much 90 minutes later.  To her credit, the needle I removed from the machine seemed did not feel as if it had a burr.  But who knows?  I did not wind a new bobbin to see how well it works.  I only checked that it worked. 

If she ever calls again to ask me to fix this machine, I will tell her that I prefer not to.  It is just too risky getting those screws seated just right.  Sure it is light weight but if I had to sew on this machine I would hate sewing.

I happily went back to my Singer 15-91 with its nifty new light switch.

More Sewing

After lunch I set to work on making a new purse.  My intention is  to make one with some of the leather that I bought in North Carolina last winter.  I have some red, some black, some green and some tan.  I don't have enough of any one color to make it monochromatic.  I will have to piece it.

I have made about four of this particular bag.  I made the last one about 6 months ago.  It was a Christmas present for a friend.  I delivered it yesterday.  Yes, I am the President of the WPC (Westford Procrastinator's Club).  I keep meaning to call a meeting I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I found my notes, which was a veritable miracle.

But I could not make sense of them.  I decided that the best thing to do was just cut out the pieces and see if I could remember what I was thinking.  I chose to use fabric instead of leather this time since I had to "re-invent the wheel."

I took better notes this time as I went along.  I did forget to make the inside pockets.  DARN.  I love those pockets.  I could have added them when I realized my mistake, but it would have been a hassle.  Instead I decided I would make a purse organizer.   I remember seeing a pattern somewhere.  Here. http://www.domestic-divaonline.com/Site_1/basic-purse-organizer.html

All in all I am happy to have a new purse.  Now I can figure out how to make one with leather.  Ooohh LaLa.

Tool Kit

 I want to outfit each machine with its own set of screw drivers.  I have been meaning to do this for some time.  I also want to try to figure out what to do with the vinyl samples I picked up at a yard sale last year.  I started playing around with them on Wednesday and made a cute little coin purse.  It is just the right size for needles, too.

 After a morning of trial and error, I finally have a design for the tool kit.  I don't want to spend a whole lot of time making these so I wanted to use the samples as they came off the stack.  I am happy with it.  Now to figure out the most efficient way to produce them in quantity. 

Prettier (oops, I spaced out stitching the center line)

 

Sewing

I am not tidy by nature.  I admire folk who keep a clean desk at work,  do the dishes every night and make the bed every morning.  I could emulate them, but it is easier to admire. 

My sewing space is a mess.  I have inherited some supplies from Ingrid and I just don't have any place to put the stuff.  My cutting table was piled high with so much stuff.  It was distressing.  Last week I decided that I would just start sewing and use up the stuff on the table.  I made a dog bed from some old quilt blocks that I bought for a dollar at the thrift store.  I liked the animal fabric (zebras and such) and did not realize that the fabric was already cut up and sewn together as squares.  I just threw them together, put in a zipper and called it good.

I found some other squares in the same stash.  I decided to make a tote bag with a tabbed zipper.  I finished it today, after several permutations on the zipper.  I am pleased with the results.  I can use it as my carry on when I travel to see Mom for a weekend. 

I started it with the 201-2 from 1940 and finished it with the 15-91.  I really like that machine.  It isn't as elegant as the 201-2.  The 15-91 is more like me; strong, peasant stock. 

I used it to mend Max's leather jacket.  It never protested. 

I also emptied out a basket and found a couple of pieces of narrow, but long, batting.  What the heck am I saving THAT for?   You know.  Just in case. 

The Kenmore was all set up so I "experimented" with one of the stretch stitches and sewed the two pieces together, edge to edge.  It worked great.  Now I have one long piece of 6 inch wide batting instead of two long pieces of 3 inch wide batting. 

I had fun making stuff with what I had on the table.  It was also quite gratifying to finally mend Max's jacket.  The other armpit seam is coming apart, too.  Guess I will have to fix it.  I honestly think that this jacket is too small for him.  But he loves it and I love him so I will fix it all up.   Then I can get it out of here.

Singer 301 FOR SALE

 Singer 301

 WE love all of our machines.  We have to move some along, though.  We just cannot sew on all of them  These 301s are lightweight and really nice.  True, it is a straight stitch only machine, but it makes the nicest stitch and sews very fast.  It is gear driven and slant shank.  It isn't as popular as the 221 (aka Featherweight) but it makes every bit as nice a stitch. Plus  there is more room between the needle and the pillar.  It really weighs only a bit more than the FW does.  If I were taking a class, I would take this machine.  It comes with a very nice case. 

We are posting it on the Website soon.  Just as soon as I learn how to navigate the Upgrades Weebly made to the web builder. 

Check it out for more photos in a day or two.

Benzomatic

I bought a darling little butane torch when I took Ray White's class in November of 2011.  I finally got the courage to fire it up.  Well, I had to have Steven show me how to light it a few weeks ago.  And this from a woman who, just yesterday, cut wires on a foot controller while it was STILL PLUGGED IN.

I am a human enigma.

I had a very tight screw in the race cover of the 15-91.  It needed encouragement. 

It worked quite well.  (Gee I wonder what solvents are in that plastic tray just behind the vice? Someone lock me up!)

Where's the Phone?

Yesterday, after I cleaned up one 301 and got it ready to list.

Betsy pulled out the other 301 she brought over.  A long bed.

The machines are the same color.  I think that the lighting is different in these two shots.

The foot controller had been replaced with a modern one.  The new wires were twisted together and covered with electrical tape.  Not MY idea of a good job.

 I decided to solder on new leads.  I also put on a new plug.  I was so stinking proud of myself. 

It even powered the light on when I tried it last night.  The motor wasn't re-attached to the machine last night so I couldn't fully test it.  But I was so sure it would work.

Well, today, after I got the 15-91 back together, I tried it out.  The light came on, but no juice to the foot controller.  I was BUMMED.  I was sure the foot controller was at fault.  So I cut the wires I had so carefully soldered on the night before

while the foot controller was still plugged in.

Betsy was standing next to me.  I couldn't believe I had done that. The power strip was OFF, but the machine was still plugged in.  It was the stupidist thing I could have done.

"It's a good thing I know CPR!" she said. "But wait, where's the phone?  Aren't I supposed to call 911 FIRST and then start?" 

It's just a good thing that the power strip had been turned off.  Now I know what kind of idiot the manufacturers are directing those instructions to about unplugging the cord before installing the light switch.   ME.

SINGER 201-2 CENTENNIAL

This is the second Centennial 201-2 I have had.  I have a Centennial 221 and a Centennial 128.  I wonder if I should keep this Centennial 201?  Nope.  I have a Centennial 201-3.  

Like all of my 201-2s I have re-furbished this machine completely.  The motor has new leads as doe the foot controller. (That is why you see a little bit of yellow electrical tape in the photo near the terminal.  That is marking the wire for the foot controller.)  The brushes have been cleaned or replaced if needed.  All of the three sets of gears have been cleaned of the old grease and re-greased and the machine has been cleaned and oiled.

When I look at photos of machines for sale on eBay I often wonder why folk don't at least clean the surface of the machine before they list it?  I love looking at a nice, shiny, clean machine.  

 For more information about this machine visit our website. 

http://www.sewingmachinemagic.com/

Early Morning

 The sun comes up around 4:45.  I hear the robins singing and by 5:30 I can't sleep any longer.  I was out in the shop by 0700 with my faithful companions.  One would think these dogs were devoted to me.  Nope.  I keep treats in the shop and they get one every time they arrive.  Now, it is not a big treat.  But it is a treat and we all know that dogs are pretty much opportunists; and gluttons.  This shot of the shop was taken from my window.  Because my work bench is so deep I have to go outside to open the window.  It is the only way I can reach it.

I really wanted to finish re-wiring the light  for the 15-91.  Last night I realized that I could install an inline switch and be able to turn the light on and off.  All I needed to do was make sure the light works.

It does.

I looked over the whole machine and oiled it next.  No Gears on this machine except in the hand wheel and the motor.  Elegant mechanics.

I attended to the needle bar, presser bar, take up lever, feed dogs, shuttle and race.  It was a full morning.  By 9:30 I had to quit.  Betsy was coming over and I needed to tidy up.  The machine is ready to be re-assembled.  I just have to install the inline switch (Betsy bought one for me on her errands) put the motor back on and go for it.  The foot controller is rewired courtesy of a brand new cord with controller leads.  Easy Peasy. 

Saturday mornings, Betsy likes to go to yard sales.  At 11:00 she called me.

"What do you know about a 513?  Is that the machine someone was looking for?"

"I know nothing about them.  I think she was looking for a 518.  But what do I know? How much?"

"Twenty bucks, but it has the case and I think that this one might have all metal insides."

"The case might be worth that. Just get it."

By noon, the dogs and I had had enough of tidying up and organizing.  I was having lunch when Betsy arrived at 1300.

She carted in four machines: two 301s, the 513 and a Domestic she took in to service.

I took on the 513 while she worked on the Domestic.

"I think the bobbin case is broken.(referring to the 513)  I told her I didn't want it for more than five bucks because of that."

"Good Job."  Right just what we need another machine to fix.  And who was it who said "Let's concentrate on the good machines.  The ones we know sell." ????

Anyway, after determining that indeed the bobbin case was broken, I discovered that the slide plate spring is also broken. 

Once we cleared away all the lint and debris around the PLASTIC GEARS, we discovered that the shuttle gear has a tooth missing.
 

"Oh I bet we can replace that.  It will be easy" 

Right.  But we will also have to replace the bobbin case.  The gears are cheap (6 bucks from our supplier).  I haven't looked up the bobbin case.  Still, how fun would it be to replace GEARS?  We haven't done that yet.  Oh we would feel like big time if we did.