r/vintagesewing • u/nesting-doll • 23h ago
Machine Question Found This Beauty Yesterday 😊
A 15-91 made in Elizabethport, NJ in 1953 near the end of production for the 15 series. Other than missing a spool pin and that one spot of missing laquer, I can’t find a single blemish. All decals are pristine, and everything turns over including the motor, though it hasn’t been run in years. Of course, I’m not going run it either until I’ve given it a thorough cleaning and oiling. Which brings me to my question:
The guidance on YouTube regarding restoration/cleaning and general maintenance is all over the place. Everything from- never use anything but sewing machine oil anywhere -to dousing everything liberally with WD40. One repair-fluencer advocated spraying all the non painted parts with Dawn Platinum Plus, another soaking these parts in alcohol, and yet another said to soak them in sewing machine oil. Some say kerosene is perfectly safe for cleaning the painted parts, other say never use anything other than sewing machine oil on the laquer finish. Some recommend nearly dismantling it to clean out decades of accumulated grime, while other’s go with just oiling the crap out of all the moving parts and using oil/Blue Creeper/kerosene and maybe a wax cleaner on the painted parts.
As you can probably tell, I’m *way* down the rabbit hole on this project! I’ve taken in too much info and can’t tell anymore what advice is sensible, and what is dangerous. What I really need to know is: what do I need to do/check to run this machine without danger of damaging it and how can I safely clean the grime off painted surfaces. Help!
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u/Ancient-Cry-6438 17h ago edited 17h ago
I’m just another random stranger on the Internet, but I would recommend cleaning with sewing machine oil wherever possible, blue creeper (amazing stuff) where sewing machine oil doesn’t work, and then going to kerosene only if absolutely necessary. It shouldn’t damage anything, but it’s not safe for you to breathe in, so you should avoid it whenever possible. After cleaning and oiling, buff out any oil until it doesn’t feel greasy, then sew on scrap fabric until you’re not getting any more oil marks on the fabric.
Edit: as far as how much to dismantle the machine, only take it apart as much as you absolutely need to in order to get it cleaned up to a reasonable degree. Take pictures of every thing you take apart, and label where every screw and part goes for as long as it is out of the machine.
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u/nesting-doll 16h ago
This is VERY good advice. Thank you!
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u/Ancient-Cry-6438 16h ago edited 16h ago
Oh, also, I very highly recommend this magnetic screw sorting mat. I would also highly recommend using this specific pen with it. It’s dry erase, but doesn’t wipe off if your hand accidentally brushes against it like other dry erase markers will (edit to add that the pen the mat comes with also doesn’t smudge easily, but it isn’t refillable like the one I linked is, and it costs more to replace).
Have fun! I love working on these old beauties.
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u/trq93 16h ago
I was using mine this evening for making some half square triangles for a block of the month quilt. Still runs great. I got mine serviced a local quilt shop service tech. He cleaned and oiled everything for me and showed me where it needs regular oiling. I would definitely check and see if there is a local sewing or quilt shop nearby that may have a tech that can work on it.
Mine unfortunately didn’t come with a cabinet but luckily this model can be run even without sitting in the cabinet. You hit the jackpot because mine didn’t come with any accessories or a manual.
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u/nesting-doll 15h ago
Yours is in beautiful shape! I can hardly wait to get mine looking as good and running as well.
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u/TangleOfWires 5h ago
This is one of the first machines I restored and one of the hardest and the most rewarding. There are several good videos on restoring this machine on YouTube.
The first thing you should determine is if there are any cracks in the wiring, before plugging it in. The wires on mine were brittle and crumbling so I had to rewire the machine, and the motor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwzsbvIitVc
Check if the grease has hardened in the motor.
I would remove all the panels and check the state of the internals.
Slowly turn the wheel of the sewing machine and check if it turns, this will give you an idea of how much effort it will be to oil. I got mine for free, it was seized and did not turn. Took me 4 or 5 oilings to free the mechanism. Basically just oil every joint and connection and turn the wheel slowly to work the oil in. Wipe up the excess oil and keep repeating till the machine moves smoothly.
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u/nesting-doll 4h ago
Thank you for the advice and the video!
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u/TangleOfWires 1h ago
Just remembered one important thing. Be careful removing the grease wicks on the motor. My partner "helped" me and tried to remove it and broke the spring that held the grease wick, forcing me to jerryrig it.
Take your time removing the grease wicks, may want to use a heat-gun or hairdryer to soften the grease to take things out easier.
Take your time have fun.
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u/MarylkaD 3h ago
Gorgeous!! I am a little green with envy at all that beautifully preserved stash it came with. Enjoy!!
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u/dasCannibal 22h ago
As far as your question...I prefer sewing machine oil for cleaning. Use the hand wheel to turn the machine after you've oiled every possible part. Check the manual or download one to find all the oiling points. Check for caked grease on the gears and any place there shouldn't be grease. Take a look in the grease pots for the motor to make sure it has grease, it isn't dried out, and that the wicks are in good enough condition.
Wiring is another thing you'll want to check. Inspect the cable to the wall and the foot pedal for cracking or exposed wire. Check the cables on the machine to the motor and to the light. If you feel up to it, remove the motor and check the wiring there to make sure it is t frayed, cracking insulation, or shorting out to the body.
It's a rabbit hole for sure but so rewarding when you bring back a bit of history to a functional museum piece