These videos are so helpful! Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience and tips. These VSMs are so well made, they "deserve" to continue to serve for years to come.
I'm glad you find them helpful. Thanks for maintaining a Singer VSM. I agree they can work for many more years. My wife's' 301A & 403A seem to be holding up better than me! Thanks for watching my channel.
Wow , Am I glad for this video , I was wondering if could replace the bottom felt and what I could use to do so. But you got the answer I need all nice and neat available already!,,, thanks once again, my well worn 301 needs this so badly, I think it spent her youth with a smoker. I cleaned as much as I could without disassemble it, but as I become more knowledgeable and with you help, I will give her a shower eventually. She deserves it. I fell in love , as any one that get to know this lovely machine.
You can replace the felt if it is destroyed, but it's hard to find thick, firm felt. If you can, then just use a little E6000 glue to hold it on www.walmart.com/ip/Eclectic-E6000-Industrial-Adhesive-with-Precision-Tip-Clear-1-oz/52678045 I sure get the smoker machines. Whew! They can stink. In fact, the first motor I restored was to get rid of the smell. I had already cleaned and washed the machine, but when running the motor the smell was back. My theory is a smoker put the ashtray on the right side of the machine. There is a fan in the PA motor that sucks in air and it would suck the smoke right into the motor. If you haven't seen the motor restoration you can find it here: ua-cam.com/video/fmEeBi8x9ZY/v-deo.html
It took me awhile to find my notes on felt. This is the best felt you can find for a drip pan felt. The firm felt pad. It's kind of pricey though, but wanted you to know. www.mcmaster.com/sheets/firm-felt-sheets-and-strips/
Andy I would like to thank you for all the information on refurbishing sewing machines. I watch your videos none stop. But I’ve ran into a problem on the 500A. I can not figure out how to take off the knobs so I can clean the lifters. I’ve finished two 401a machines and two 301’s. They are all performing great. A little help with the knob removal would be great. Again, thank you for your videos. Arleen
Hey, thanks for watching my channel and saving those machines. 🙏 To get the knobs off a 500A just remove the two P6 screws shown in Fig. 67 on the bottom left of page 35 of the 45-page Service Manual. 😀 Please download a free copy of that manual from the Sewing Dude at this link: sewingdude.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/singer-500-service-manual.pdf If you've never used one of the Service Manuals from Singer you'll enjoy how helpful they can be. Good Luck.
Hi Andy, I'm missing my oil pan so I made a cardboard one using my 301 as a template. They are the same on the motor end, I just had to add a bit more length to the other end to cover the bobbin case area. Thanks, it's good to know I don't have to replace the drip pad too when I finally get my hands on a pan.
I’m going to clean my 403 too. I’m following your instructions. I started collecting vintage sewing machines (vsm) last winter so started watching UA-cam’s. Yours is great. I’m learning lots. How did you get interested in doing this. It’s not a common hobby. Thanks for all your efforts on these videos
I think you will enjoy restoring your 403A and be happy how clean and fresh it will be. My wife has been sewing since she was 9 years old. Years ago she bought a vintage machine at a thrift shop and asked me to "make it work". I had done minor maintenance on my Moms', Grandma's and other family machines so I agreed to look at it. I did get it working very well and I was hooked on Singer VSM ever since. I made this UA-cam Channel hoping to encourage others to do it yourself, save and restoreVSM's. Thanks for watching my channel.
Ya these vsm hook you in. I’ve rewired 2 potted motors on Singer 15-91’s. Got motors serviced and the motor drive gear and new wicks. This series of yours is the first time I’ve taken a needle and presser bar out. I’m retired and fix bicycles too. I always have things to do to keep me from being board.
@@vsmetc7305 I've never worked on the potted motors but they sure look interesting. I get the boring thing and enjoy having my channel on UA-cam. You may want to think about that.
I have a UA-cam channel but I don’t know if I have the patience to do lighting and editing. Also I’m just learning. I’ve never found much on UA-cam servicing potted motors and the related work that is required. I followed directions from a blog. But I find video I learn the best. I used my UA-cam to post a video for a featherweight I sold. I think hearing and seeing a machine sewing goes a long way. That was my first sewing machine I sold. I usually flip bicycles a little bit. Being retired I like to make my pocket/spending money hehe.
@@vsmetc7305 Yes, I saw the short video of your 221. It was fine. I know the blog you mean with the potted motors. I bookmarked it in case I ever get crazy enough to work on an "Iron Lady" machine. You could film bike repair tips too. You' be surprised who's watching. My little channel has 1.2 million views! 168 countries and territories including some I never knew existed. You are smart to stay busy & engaged with your hobbies. Take care.
Hey, Andy. I just used your long how-to video to clean and re-grease my MIL’s old 347. It wasn’t in bad shape, but goes so much smoother now! Do you by any chance know the specs of the bolt that holds on the drip pan? The 347 has some random screw as a stand-in, but it’s too narrow and easily falls out.
Thanks for keeping the machine in service. I do not have threading specs but Singer called the screw "Bed Plate Cover (bottom) Screw", and the part number is 51361. It's really a screw "post" or headless screw. There are a couple of nuts for it, a flat washer-like nut and a more typical thumb nut. The thumbnut is part 51621 and it's called the "Bed Plate Cover (bottom) Thumb Nut" (of course!) Most Singer screws and nuts are NOT common thread sizes but are Singer's own proprietary sizes. Your best option for most screws/nuts is to find a vintage one for sale online. Finding just the screw/nut for the bottom plate can be hard as they mostly go with the bottom plate when offered for sale. I did a quick search and surprisingly there is one for sale, screw & nut, for $6.99 which is very cheap for both parts. oldsingershop.com/products/singer-sewing-machine-knurled-thumb-nut-and-screw-for-bottom-drip-pan-base-plate-featherweight-221-301?variant=31915192385572¤cy=USD&
Sure, it will work. It is not as good as the original, but it is affordable. I've used it a few times. I use E6000 to attach it. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385983821380?itmmeta=01HZYZYG5VXGKMRGEQVX99Z9W9&hash=item59de6db644:g:hjkAAOSwoGhk3if7 Most craft felt is acrylic or ploy and not absorbent. If I feel the machine is worth it or the customer prefers it I use a 35% wool + acrylic pad. Heavier and absorbent and super long-lasting www.amazon.com/Licorice-Black-Oversized-Sheet-Blend/dp/B074JZ9RN4?th=1 costs more though. I found most folks really over oiled the machines and the pads were full of it. Oiling properly and wiping up excess is better and the pad lasts forever, either craft or wool. Thanks for keeping the machine in service. Good luck.
@@andytubesewing1953 thank you, never done anything like it before but the machine and cupboard cost me less than £10. So i figured i would give it a go. So far it all seems intact nothing broken, just covered in old nasty grease.
@@fi556 Greasy machines are the most fun for using Krud Kutter to degrease. The cost is a surprise as they made the machine in the USA and I don't think they sold them in the EU. It's a wonderful model as you'll see. Good luck.
@@andytubesewing1953 yeh ive noticed 😂 parts are usable but the bits like top plate has a few minor hair cracks on the oil bits and face plate has a tiny bit broken of near the top middle screw. Cant find the replacements in the uk and usa they are rare parts so ill try to fix or at least stabilise if i can, somehow. Has for the degreaser my brother gave me some good industrial spray stuff and it just dissolved it. :) thank you for the help and the videos they are helping so much
I've used this process on about 40 machines where the felt was very dirty and smelly. I've not had any problem with rust. It usually dries enough and fairly quickly. I suppose you could use a hair dryer to quicken the process and perhaps because I live in Arizona and it's a dryer climate could contribute to the lack of rust. Thank you for your comment and for watching my channel
These videos are so helpful! Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience and tips. These VSMs are so well made, they "deserve" to continue to serve for years to come.
I'm glad you find them helpful. Thanks for maintaining a Singer VSM. I agree they can work for many more years. My wife's' 301A & 403A seem to be holding up better than me! Thanks for watching my channel.
Wow , Am I glad for this video , I was wondering if could replace the bottom felt and what I could use to do so. But you got the answer I need all nice and neat available already!,,, thanks once again, my well worn 301 needs this so badly, I think it spent her youth with a smoker. I cleaned as much as I could without disassemble it, but as I become more knowledgeable and with you help, I will give her a shower eventually. She deserves it. I fell in love , as any one that get to know this lovely machine.
You can replace the felt if it is destroyed, but it's hard to find thick, firm felt. If you can, then just use a little E6000 glue to hold it on
www.walmart.com/ip/Eclectic-E6000-Industrial-Adhesive-with-Precision-Tip-Clear-1-oz/52678045 I sure get the smoker machines. Whew! They can stink. In fact, the first motor I restored was to get rid of the smell. I had already cleaned and washed the machine, but when running the motor the smell was back. My theory is a smoker put the ashtray on the right side of the machine. There is a fan in the PA motor that sucks in air and it would suck the smoke right into the motor. If you haven't seen the motor restoration you can find it here: ua-cam.com/video/fmEeBi8x9ZY/v-deo.html
@@andytubesewing1953
Thanks, it’s completely loose. I will wash it as you did. But I’ll keep an eye for good felt.
Thank you 😊
It took me awhile to find my notes on felt. This is the best felt you can find for a drip pan felt. The firm felt pad. It's kind of pricey though, but wanted you to know.
www.mcmaster.com/sheets/firm-felt-sheets-and-strips/
@@andytubesewing1953 your sooooo kind !
Thanks for taking your time , I appreciate it.
Have a great weekend. 🙏🏼
@@andytubesewing1953 you are sooooo kind !
Thanks for taking your time , I appreciate it.
Have a great weekend. 🙏🏼
Andy I would like to thank you for all the information on refurbishing sewing machines. I watch your videos none stop. But I’ve ran into a problem on the 500A. I can not figure out how to take off the knobs so I can clean the lifters. I’ve finished two 401a machines and two 301’s. They are all performing great. A little help with the knob removal would be great. Again, thank you for your videos. Arleen
Hey, thanks for watching my channel and saving those machines. 🙏 To get the knobs off a 500A just remove the two P6 screws shown in Fig. 67 on the bottom left of page 35 of the 45-page Service Manual. 😀
Please download a free copy of that manual from the Sewing Dude at this link: sewingdude.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/singer-500-service-manual.pdf
If you've never used one of the Service Manuals from Singer you'll enjoy how helpful they can be. Good Luck.
Hi Andy, I'm missing my oil pan so I made a cardboard one using my 301 as a template. They are the same on the motor end, I just had to add a bit more length to the other end to cover the bobbin case area. Thanks, it's good to know I don't have to replace the drip pad too when I finally get my hands on a pan.
It's a good temp fix. I saw some pans on eBay yesterday, so they do come up for sale sooner or later. Good Luck.
I’m going to clean my 403 too. I’m following your instructions. I started collecting vintage sewing machines (vsm) last winter so started watching UA-cam’s. Yours is great. I’m learning lots. How did you get interested in doing this. It’s not a common hobby. Thanks for all your efforts on these videos
I think you will enjoy restoring your 403A and be happy how clean and fresh it will be. My wife has been sewing since she was 9 years old. Years ago she bought a vintage machine at a thrift shop and asked me to "make it work". I had done minor maintenance on my Moms', Grandma's and other family machines so I agreed to look at it. I did get it working very well and I was hooked on Singer VSM ever since. I made this UA-cam Channel hoping to encourage others to do it yourself, save and restoreVSM's. Thanks for watching my channel.
Ya these vsm hook you in. I’ve rewired 2 potted motors on Singer 15-91’s. Got motors serviced and the motor drive gear and new wicks. This series of yours is the first time I’ve taken a needle and presser bar out. I’m retired and fix bicycles too. I always have things to do to keep me from being board.
@@vsmetc7305 I've never worked on the potted motors but they sure look interesting. I get the boring thing and enjoy having my channel on UA-cam. You may want to think about that.
I have a UA-cam channel but I don’t know if I have the patience to do lighting and editing. Also I’m just learning. I’ve never found much on UA-cam servicing potted motors and the related work that is required. I followed directions from a blog. But I find video I learn the best. I used my UA-cam to post a video for a featherweight I sold. I think hearing and seeing a machine sewing goes a long way. That was my first sewing machine I sold. I usually flip bicycles a little bit. Being retired I like to make my pocket/spending money hehe.
@@vsmetc7305 Yes, I saw the short video of your 221. It was fine. I know the blog you mean with the potted motors. I bookmarked it in case I ever get crazy enough to work on an "Iron Lady" machine. You could film bike repair tips too. You' be surprised who's watching. My little channel has 1.2 million views! 168 countries and territories including some I never knew existed. You are smart to stay busy & engaged with your hobbies. Take care.
Hey, Andy. I just used your long how-to video to clean and re-grease my MIL’s old 347. It wasn’t in bad shape, but goes so much smoother now!
Do you by any chance know the specs of the bolt that holds on the drip pan? The 347 has some random screw as a stand-in, but it’s too narrow and easily falls out.
Thanks for keeping the machine in service. I do not have threading specs but Singer called the screw "Bed Plate Cover (bottom) Screw", and the part number is 51361. It's really a screw "post" or headless screw. There are a couple of nuts for it, a flat washer-like nut and a more typical thumb nut. The thumbnut is part 51621 and it's called the "Bed Plate Cover (bottom) Thumb Nut" (of course!) Most Singer screws and nuts are NOT common thread sizes but are Singer's own proprietary sizes. Your best option for most screws/nuts is to find a vintage one for sale online. Finding just the screw/nut for the bottom plate can be hard as they mostly go with the bottom plate when offered for sale. I did a quick search and surprisingly there is one for sale, screw & nut, for $6.99 which is very cheap for both parts.
oldsingershop.com/products/singer-sewing-machine-knurled-thumb-nut-and-screw-for-bottom-drip-pan-base-plate-featherweight-221-301?variant=31915192385572¤cy=USD&
Hi, im restoring a 337 in uk. The felt disintegrated what can i use as a liner? I loads of normal craft felt , would that do it?
Sure, it will work. It is not as good as the original, but it is affordable. I've used it a few times. I use E6000 to attach it.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385983821380?itmmeta=01HZYZYG5VXGKMRGEQVX99Z9W9&hash=item59de6db644:g:hjkAAOSwoGhk3if7
Most craft felt is acrylic or ploy and not absorbent. If I feel the machine is worth it or the customer prefers it I use a 35% wool + acrylic pad. Heavier and absorbent and super long-lasting www.amazon.com/Licorice-Black-Oversized-Sheet-Blend/dp/B074JZ9RN4?th=1 costs more though. I found most folks really over oiled the machines and the pads were full of it. Oiling properly and wiping up excess is better and the pad lasts forever, either craft or wool. Thanks for keeping the machine in service. Good luck.
@@andytubesewing1953 thank you, never done anything like it before but the machine and cupboard cost me less than £10. So i figured i would give it a go. So far it all seems intact nothing broken, just covered in old nasty grease.
@@fi556 Greasy machines are the most fun for using Krud Kutter to degrease. The cost is a surprise as they made the machine in the USA and I don't think they sold them in the EU. It's a wonderful model as you'll see. Good luck.
@@andytubesewing1953 yeh ive noticed 😂 parts are usable but the bits like top plate has a few minor hair cracks on the oil bits and face plate has a tiny bit broken of near the top middle screw. Cant find the replacements in the uk and usa they are rare parts so ill try to fix or at least stabilise if i can, somehow. Has for the degreaser my brother gave me some good industrial spray stuff and it just dissolved it. :) thank you for the help and the videos they are helping so much
@@fi556 👍
But doesn’t the drip pan metal underneath the felt rust?
I've used this process on about 40 machines where the felt was very dirty and smelly. I've not had any problem with rust. It usually dries enough and fairly quickly. I suppose you could use a hair dryer to quicken the process and perhaps because I live in Arizona and it's a dryer climate could contribute to the lack of rust. Thank you for your comment and for watching my channel