Can I Get This Vintage Sewing Machine Running?
Vložit
- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- My husband scored this vintage sewing machine at a thrift shop and today I pulled it out to see if I could get it working! This model is a cute purple Sears Kenmore Model 50. Can I do it? Do you use a vintage machine? I'd love to hear about it!
LINKS:
Sewing machine oil: amzn.to/356xrw9
Sewing machine lint brush: amzn.to/32iwlfM
Also find me:
On my website: www.pincutsewstudio.com
On Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/PinCutSewSt...
On Instagram: / pincutsew
And on Pinterest: / pincutsewstudio
Happy Sewing!
Love, Nikki
Created by InShot
inshotapp.page.link/YTShare - Jak na to + styl
Just found this machine on Etsy. Bought it!! Was
My first machine back in
1965. Had it for years.
Moved on to fancy computer machines and
Now back to soothing
Vintage. Happiness in
The sewing room
Yay!!
This machine is adorable. I love that you named it Fran after the previous owner.
I still have my grandmother's treadle machine...I also have 3 vintage machines...one I've named Rizzo(from Grease, she is a beautiful pink color)! Love your beautiful find!!! Thanks for sharing!!
My Granny sewed on a treadle machine too! I wish it were still in the family, it would have been fun to have.
I have one of these. The universal push in light bulb and belts from Hobby Lobby will work on these machines. The bobbin can be a bit touchy, you have to make sure the bobbin case locks into the machine. It only goes in in one position, and the catch has to be open for it to slide into the exact spot. These machines are workhorses, and are strong enough to go through quite a few layers of material. They’ll pretty much take what you can throw at them. Watch out so that your string does not slip into the grooves around your tensioner, and always make sure your string does not pop out of the guide eyes.
Happy you were able to get it sewing🤗
I still have my graduation present which is a Singer portable from 50 yrs ago. I keep it covered and I oil it up and run it every few years. My mother still has a Kenmore she purchased new back in the 60's it's olive green and I still have a newer Kenmore I purchased in the early 80's that I still sew on almost daily. I also have newer sewing machines that just sit in their cases, they are the backup to my Kenmore. Good find on the machine glad it runs.😊
This looks identical to my Mom's that she bought in 1963. Hers was made in Japan. It hadn't been used in years and was gummed up so I helped her oil it and replace the belt, now it runs great and we used it to sew heavy canvas which wasn't a problem with a 110 needle. She recalls that it cost around $100 which was big money for someone who made one dollar an hour at a five and dime.
Thank you for sharing your sewing journey with us. In the future you might want to use a solid scrap of fabric when sewing. It was difficult to see what was sewn on striped fabric but fun to see the lilac colored gem working. Your husband made a fine purchase for you. Welcome Fran!
I’ve only used vintage sewing machines. Unexpectedly I’ve started a Kenmore collection and I’m learning to work on them. Loved your video. Your machine is beautiful!!!
What a great find. The first machine I ever bought brand new was a Kenmore. I had it and used it for 25 years.
I just purchased a 1963 White vintage machine made in Japan (1.3 amp motor). Had her serviced & also cleaned up & oiled. She stitches beautifully. Exploring the history of those machines assembled in Japan is an interesting read. I have a
Husqvarna Viking Husky 170 Sewing Machine, bought it new and was my favorite machine for its time. Recently realized that it's a White sewing machine build. Of course that made even more interested 1563 model that I just bought (color two-toned turquoise). Love it.
I use a JUKI HZL-DX7 for sewing spandex & lycra and stretch fabrics, but I love sewing denim, waterproof canvas & bagmaking on the vintage machine.
_Best with your new find.
_Well done husband!
_My nephew is a long-time marine and his family also moves around a lot. They are experts on moving frequently.
_Best regards to you & yours.
Very cool! And thank you :)
You got a super deal on a gem of a machine. Kenmore was made in Japan and one of the best machines you can find today. Solid gold. Usually all metal inside. You need to do much more than take out the lint.
Open up access panels - check CZcams for that - In Stitches, or Randy the Sewing Man channels are good. Blow and vacuum out all lint in bobbin case, feed dog, and all over machine.
If no plastic gears inside, spray out inside with carburetor cleaner, scrub with toothbrush, and wipe off. This stuff should not touch paint or plastic, only bare metal and it is great for dissolving gummy old oil resin. After that, you can spray Penetrating Oil like Liquid Wrench all over the machine guts, scrub with toothbrush, work the parts so oil goes in deep, then wipe off all the oil with the gunk. Keep oiling till it all moves smoothly no stiffness. Check for broken plastic parts if any. This oil won't hurt plastic or paint but must be wiped off. This is not a lube job. This will dry out and become sticky if not removed.
Once machines is moving smoothly, lube all shafts and joints with Triflow Silicone Lube and if there are any gears (after cleaning well), coat with Synthetic Silicone Grease. Don't mix the two up. Grease on gears, lube on shafts. Now it will work smoothly. Do not use any other oil which will gum up metal parts. Silicone aka Synthetic does not gum up. Check CZcams videos to know where to put the oil. Even the motor needs oil but exactly one drop no more and in exactly one spot or you will damage the motor. You want to open up the motor as well, and check carbon brushes and clean the rotor with some alcohol swabs. Carbon brushes may need changing if worn out. Check everything and bring this back to life!
Belts are measured inch by inch on the INSIDE loop. Check diameter of belt against a measuring tape, and length of belt. Is it flat, wedge shaped, or round? Most likely round for Kenmores. My Viking has a V-belt that is wedge shaped. You can buy them on Amazon on Ebay easily for much less. The bobbin winder also needs to be changed - it has a rubber O ring - measure outside diameter, and thickness. Soak in warm water before putting on. Note that belt may have stretched so check with a sewing shop on length first. If it sews well with the old belt, then slightly smaller is perfect. If belt has ridges it is called a Cogged Belt.
Change the light to a modern LED type with same base - screw type most likely. $5 on Amazon. Again, check type in sewing shop first. LED lights are cooler not hot like the original ones. Don't use them. Make sure they are Kelvin 3000 or higher for bright white light not yellow.
DO NOT USE SANDPAPER ON THESE MACHINES, YIKES!!! Use alcohol, mineral spirits to clean the outside with toothbrush and green Teflon sponge or 0000 steel wool gently. You can scrub the chrome metal parts (not plastic chrome) with steel wool and mineral spirits and all grease, rust comes off. Use a toothbrush for corners. When done, use a cleaner like AWESOME from the dollar store to clean up the outside metal and all stains come off. Wipe down well.
Modernize the old box case. Take off all the old paper and paint the box with Durabak paint or an epoxy paint or ... use a Primer like Kilz Oil Primer, then spray paint it with Montana Gold paints (what a color palette!). Then use diluted Varathane Clear Interior Satin Oil based Polyurethane over that. Dilute Poly 60:40 Mineral Spirits first. Now you have rock hard beautiful wood case without that crumbling exterior and a brand new Kenmore.
Great find! I have my Grandmother's Kenmore from the 1970s, sews like a dream. Also own a Morse superdial from the 50s (made by Toyota before they made cars), and a Singer 401 and a Singer 404. I love them all, and they all still work great. Some of the vintage machines are as gorgeous as vintage cars.
Oh I had the exact model come to me. Gave her a tune up and oil then gave her away to a beginner who needed a solid machine. I’m a seamstress and mechanic who loves old machines. I use mostly treadles now and adore them.
These old machines are so great for beginners, they can handle anything.
Very proud of you to try to clean up and use a vintage machine! Fran would be so happy!!
Thanks for this nice simple video. I have been sewing since 2019 - for the first two years only doing alterations. Now I make tote bags, messenger bags, track pants, men's trousers. I had a Singer Heavy Duty 4423. By 2023 I was feeling it was a bit clunky. On the weekend I spotted a Janome 627 at Savers. It was $50 Australian so not super cheap but I've seen vintage machine priced higher in thrift shops. Anyway an old guy was having a good look at the machine, called his friend over to discuss it. I had to have it! I did a test run first but realise I probably should have cleaned oiled and greased it first. But I did quickly do all that and gee it runs beautifully and the stiches look great. It feels so smooth to use and just whirs. The whole operation is a lot more intuitive than the Singer. The Janome has a front loading bobbin. Threading the machine is very easy and all the settings seem simple and intuitive. The button holes look great - I could never get good results from the dinky Singer button hole foot.
When I dusted the Janome out it wasn't that bad. But the grease on the gears was very tacky and orange so I cleaned it all out with toothpicks, a cloth, and an old soft toothbrush. Initially the stitch selection gear/plate would get stuck - it did not extend past the button hole stitches in the middle of the selection. I opened the machine the eased the metal piece that fits over the gear settings and it easily moved across to the other stiches. I greased that plate lightly using synthetic grease and all the stitches are selectable now.
Yeah the bobbins had some rust on them but that was easy to clean off. Three of the bobbins still had thread and there was some denim needles with the machine and a hemming foot which I never had before.
I feel like I want this to be my main machine - at least for proper projects. Maybe I can make the mock-ups on the Singer and do the final version on the Janome? Maybe the Singer can be the standby to zig zag edges as I do not have an overlocker [serger].
Gee should I look for a vintage overlocker?
That’s amazing, what a find!!
I love it :-) The one you found looks amazing too. Mine is more beige cream and brown but I still love it. After the clean grease and oil I ran it a few minutes and it makes the coolest whisper sound. Thanks for the cool encouraging video @@PinCutSew
You shined her up like a new penny! I have my mom's singer 99k and several other vintage and new. Sewing machines are a fun thing to collect, old or new.
It's a year later, but I've been binge watching this playlist as I sew on my Singer Featherweight. I had to stop and let you know how great these old machines are - they need to be used often so they'll keep sewing forever. I do love my newer Pfaff computerized machine, but my Featherweight and my Singer 99 are gems. Good for you getting this one going!
Impressive!! You did a great job. Glad you were not intimidated by this older machine and brought it back to life. Fran would be very pleased.🙂
Bottom tension is adjusted in your thread bobbin. There is a tiny, tiny screw in your bobbin and you
will need to turn it just a slight bit to adjust that bottom thread tension. I own a 59 yr old Kenmore 90
and it a real workhorse. Keep it oiled. It is a heavy duty machine and good for denim and mock leather
fabrics.
I use a Singer 201 from 1940s, it does only do straight stitches so I do have a more modern Janome for😅😊buttonholes etc. But the singer will sew any thickness of fabric so I use it for bag making and it’s great on vinyls, cork and canvases but I’ve also used it on cotton lawn and fine fabrics like that. It’s only disadvantage is that it is very heavy and I can’t lift it on my own onto my sewing table but that’s just a small problem.it’s a real workhorse! ❤
I just bought a vintage Sears Kenmore sewing machine about six months ago. She's not as old as yours. She's from the 1970's, but she's still all metal. She's been cleaned and oiled and she sews beautifully. She also came with the manual and accessories. Whoever had her before took really good care of her. Only a couple very tiny scratches. I'd love to have this one that you've got. She's gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
Your machine sounds lovely! These old machines are so much fun to sew on. Makes me feel a part of history :)
Dad & I were mesmerized! Too fun :-D
I. Have. A white sewing machine I received for Christmas in 7th grade. I used the heck out of it for many years. I should get it out and clean it up.
Yes you should! 😁
I started sewing at 11 years old on my mothers Necchi (bought 70 years ago). Before college, 50 years ago, I bought a Kenmore. A person could sew ANYTHING on these machines. They were all metal. There was no problem with upholstering, sewing leather, faux fur, or thick wool. I now want a machine like that. The sewing machines you buy now are wimpy and disposable.
I brought a singer fashion mate Nobel 237 love it to use it every now and then for fun ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have a Singer Featherweight from the 1940s and a Singer Touch N Sew from 1970. Both still work great.
Love your 'new' vintage machine. I am a Brother fan and recently picked up a Brother 345. I sew on it every day. I also still have the first Brother machine I bought in the mid 80's as new, the VX 1300. I love it too even though it has a plastic body, still going strong as well.
I have my grandmother’s teal blue metal Brother machine in a cabinet that I keep for sentimental reasons as well. They are very heavy but the metal parts still sparkle. I think hers was bought in the late 40s not sure. I am 67 so she in an antique…I am not lol
I have my mother's old Singer (with a treadle) which I learned to sew on (10ish) she bought it in 1941. I haven't used it in while. But it would sew denim & canvas wonderful. After my grandmother died she had a electric motor put on it.
Even though this video is been up for a while, I just had to comment. I love vintage sewing machines. The one you found is pink - it is so cute. It’s amazing to find even just the straight stitch sewing machines they make a beautiful stitch. I used to have a brother vintage sewing machine that was turquoise and it was so much fun to work with. I just can’t rescue them all
Haha you’re right, can’t rescue them all! I try to avoid looking under the cases when I see them now, so I’m not tempted 😆
I love and use vintage machines. I would buy your machine just for the color!
Yes, it’s such a unique color!
My daughter and me bought an entire quilt “shop”. We have at least 10 vintage machines. We have them tuned up and then we sell or keep. I live pretty close to you and have an awesome repair man. We had an American Efred thread plant in our town. They make serger thread.
Wow, that’s so cool! I’ve only lived here for a year, but we love NC :)
I have my grandmother's sewing machine. I wish I could get it to work..
I bought a old machine at a garage sale I’m a real rookie the bobbin was hard to understand I couldn’t get the thread to come up from there perhaps I put it in backwards?? I’ll keep trying I didn’t get the manual 😢 thanks for this video gives me hope!!!!
Keep trying! I’m sure there’s a video out there on how to use the metal bobbin cases. Sorry I didn’t cover that here!
I have a vintage Necchi that I would love to try to sew on, but its power cord is melted, basically. Not sure if I can get some kind of replacement or not.
I love your $10 find! So glad it works.
Ooh I wonder too, since the old machine didn't have detachable cords. I bet someone out there can fix it, though!
Any repair shop or electrician can replace the cord! That would be awesome.
That is a great kenmore model! It will also need oiling underneath where the parts are moving. You may also find a grease pot underneath. Open it and see if it needs new grease. In a pinch you can use vasaline for grease. Never use oil on a gear! Gears need grease. Good luck and enjoy Fran!
Thank you for that info! I did remember to oil the bobbin after I made the video, but didn’t know about the grease and gears. She purring along beautifully, I made doll clothes on her yesterday :)
Yikes, no vaseline!!! That can wreck the machines.
But yes to lubricant on the gears. That didn't get mentioned in the video. I also love vintage machines - I have 10 and my newest is 1961. Fabulous quality.
OMGoodness! I’m in Gaston county! Where are you???? I just about fell out when you said Mt. Holly! I was thrifting recently and found some rick rack and as I was placing it on cardboard from the balls it was rolled into I found a Mary Jo’s recpt paper dated 6/3/1982! But more to the point the location was Windsor Shopping Center in DALLAS! I grew up here and ever knew it had ever been in Dallas. Ironically the date stamp was also on my hubby’s bday! 😊
Oh wow, hi! I live in Gastonia! It’s more like Lowell, really. We moved here right after Mary Jo’s closed, I was super bummed about that, haha. We are a military family, so we’re moving again this year, but we’ve loved NC so much!
@@PinCutSew I’m in Gastonia too, right on the edge of Belmont.
I had a Kenmore machine in a cabinet I bought used for $35 as a newlywed almost 40 years ago. I loved that machine! Unfortunately, I knew nothing about machine maintenance, and like your old Brother machine, it quit winding bobbins and the thread constantly broke. I reluctantly sold it 3 years ago when moving from Indiana to Florida. They just don’t make them like that anymore, for sure!
They really don’t! After this, I’m more hopeful about getting my old Brother working again, I think I can do it!
@@PinCutSew You can do it! 😊
I have two vintage Singer machines (two Grandmothers and I'm the only one in my generation to sew) one is still a full treadle with that beautiful wrought iron... table? the other used to be mounted onto a special cabined, later in her life Gran detached it from that cabinet and ordered a case and an electric motor for it. Both are as beautiful as old Singers can be :-) Back then the machines had all metal parts inside so the electric one is still in full working condition and I DO use it because, despite the weight and very basic settings, I absolutely prefer it to my mother's machine, which has all the fancy foots and special stitches, but because of poor materials and even worse workmanship is louder and faulty... I am also planning to finally clean the treadle one as it did not fit in my old appartment and spent years under its hood in my Aunt's attic. This one might turn out even better, it is older, possibly bought before war, and I've heard treadle is hard on the feet but gives almost perfect control...
Wow, so cool! Thank you for sharing!
Use Her!!!!!!
I left her on my cutting desk where I filmed this and sewed doll clothes on her yesterday 😁
what was the longest stitch length you were able to sew?
How did you get it back to straight stitch? My mom’s Singer 1953 model stitches straight stitch beautifully too.
The large round dial in the front has a metal lever on the bottom. I pushed the lever and turned the knob and that did it!
I have been tempted to buy one from a thrift store MANY times. I will look for the manual next time. What kind of oil did you use? Is it specific sewing machine oil? Thanks for the video!
Yes, it's sewing machine oil by Dritz, I just got it at the sewing store.
Try a little WD40 on a soft cloth, on the rust spot..
Good idea!
Can I use WD-40 oil?
No, I wouldn’t!
I think you skipped a step on your threading. I think it goes behind and over that bar to the right of the tension discs and then through the spring to the take up lever.
Which model of Singer is this a clone of?
I might have, I can't remember now, but I got it figured out! I wasn't aware every old Kenmore was a clone of a Singer? Is that true?
Please putvthe cloth up very close as we cant see the stitches. Thank you.
I was waiting for you to tell us why you push the button down on the top of the machine…it’s down when you sew, but was up when you started the video.
That adjusts the presser foot pressure! I don’t think modern machines even have that feature any more.
@@PinCutSew okay! I played with it on the old Montgomery Ward I purchased, but couldn’t pinpoint what it was changing…
Things were made do much better years ago.
Yes they were!
I have my volume up all the way are you standing away from your mic?
I have since improved my audio equipment 😬😂
It's around 70yrs old, take care of it and your great great great grand kids will be using it, while todays plastic machines are in a landfill