Form what my aunt told me, the Wheeler & Wilson number one became the Singer 1W in 1904 when Singer was brought by Wheeler & Wilson. The number 1 was made up until WWII. My aunt sewed on an industrial one in a factory until the 1970's to sew collars where it sewed from side to side.
Since the 1-3 models were designated by their decoration, the machine that became known as the Singer 1W1 was actually the one Wheeler &Wilson regarded as a #3. The #1 had silver plated parts (arm, needle bar, etc.), the #2 had bronze plating, and the lowest-priced #3 had all these parts japanned black. They were otherwise identical. Starting at the #4, each model number was assigned to a unique machine. Interesting to know they were used in an industrial setting though. I was not aware the curved needle machines saw any commercial use due to their small bobbin capacity.
I have a silver plated one i think. It has that blue patina you mentioned your silver one had. It does not have the medallion. It has an original gold rose flower painted on it. It has glass presser feet, and some attachments. Its in a treadle and the walnut cabinet. It sews.
Thanks for the great info! I was wondering if I may ask some questions since you have experience with these machines. I have an 1872 with quite a bit of rust on the right side of the body and light rust on other parts. There is still some faint paint work so I'm not sure how vigorous I want to be about cleaning the body but thought I'd take it apart (photographing each step for re-assembly) and clean the individual pieces, get the funky smell off, and decide from there. Rust aside, all the parts were moving nicely until I made the big blunder of beginning the process by rinsing the surface dirt off. Yes, that was stupid so please don't make me feel worse. Lol! I figured since I was disassembling and cleaning each piece it wouldn't have a chance to rust. However, I couldn't find a way to remove the rotating hook and the arm & wheel under the feed bar. (Sorry I don't know all the part names & not sure the ones I'm using are correct.) The next day, the rotating hook and spindle were frozen. Leary of using anything harsh, I've tried mineral oil which has turned the rotating hook a sticky brown and hasn't helped it, but the arm & wheel now move. I've been dabbing Evaporust into the oiling holes & around the stuck parts on each side of the machine but it isn't working. Help! My email is sherriloving@gmail.com if you'd rather. Thanks!
I totally understand, a lot of us make mistakes! :-) Don't put Evaporust in the oil holes, that will make things worse. You need a brass hammer or a block of wood to put against the ends of the shaft and tap it back and forth from one side to the other. There is little to no end play so you might not see it move but the the vibration will help. The hook is held on with a set screw as is the pulley that the belt runs on. My email is sewpurtyworkshops@yahoo.com if I can be of more assistance. Maybe you need to sign up for a workshop and bring that machine so we can help ya get her up and running! :-)
Ray, I do have a very nice Wheeler and Wilson in a Walnut cabinet with drawers. I'm missing the tool box. Where can i find one? Number on machine is 91019 it's a #3 no medallion, 4 patent dates 1850, 51, 52, &54 Also need a belt HELP PLEASE.
Go to woodlandquiltworks.com for a belt or you can get the material from Tandy. I don't have a lead on a toolbox, however there is a Wheeler & Wilson Facebook group where you can likely find someone who would have one
Hi Ray thanks for the video. I have a silver plated W & W and it is serial number 555048 with the same decals as your #1 is it a possibility that mine is a number #1 and not a #3. Also does the needle curve go to the left?? I have mine all cleaned up just trying to get her to sew now. Thanks.
If yours has the silver plating, it is a #1. That is what distinguishes (and is the only difference) the #1 from the others. If it had painted arms, it would be a #3. The decals are irrelevant as they changed over time. I don’t understand your question about the curve. It curves neither right nor left, the curve should match the arc of the needle bar.
Form what my aunt told me, the Wheeler & Wilson number one became the Singer 1W in 1904 when Singer was brought by Wheeler & Wilson. The number 1 was made up until WWII. My aunt sewed on an industrial one in a factory until the 1970's to sew collars where it sewed from side to side.
Since the 1-3 models were designated by their decoration, the machine that became known as the Singer 1W1 was actually the one Wheeler &Wilson regarded as a #3. The #1 had silver plated parts (arm, needle bar, etc.), the #2 had bronze plating, and the lowest-priced #3 had all these parts japanned black. They were otherwise identical. Starting at the #4, each model number was assigned to a unique machine.
Interesting to know they were used in an industrial setting though. I was not aware the curved needle machines saw any commercial use due to their small bobbin capacity.
I have two of these in Treadle’s. One is no. 1 and one is no.3 I also have 5 glass feet all intact with all the accessories. I love these machines.
I have a silver plated one i think. It has that blue patina you mentioned your silver one had. It does not have the medallion. It has an original gold rose flower painted on it. It has glass presser feet, and some attachments. Its in a treadle and the walnut cabinet. It sews.
I know its been two yrs. But i finally cleaned gently on mine-its silver😊 its serial number is 85042. No medalion. And it sews.
Thanks for the great info! I was wondering if I may ask some questions since you have experience with these machines. I have an 1872 with quite a bit of rust on the right side of the body and light rust on other parts. There is still some faint paint work so I'm not sure how vigorous I want to be about cleaning the body but thought I'd take it apart (photographing each step for re-assembly) and clean the individual pieces, get the funky smell off, and decide from there. Rust aside, all the parts were moving nicely until I made the big blunder of beginning the process by rinsing the surface dirt off. Yes, that was stupid so please don't make me feel worse. Lol! I figured since I was disassembling and cleaning each piece it wouldn't have a chance to rust. However, I couldn't find a way to remove the rotating hook and the arm & wheel under the feed bar. (Sorry I don't know all the part names & not sure the ones I'm using are correct.) The next day, the rotating hook and spindle were frozen. Leary of using anything harsh, I've tried mineral oil which has turned the rotating hook a sticky brown and hasn't helped it, but the arm & wheel now move. I've been dabbing Evaporust into the oiling holes & around the stuck parts on each side of the machine but it isn't working. Help! My email is sherriloving@gmail.com if you'd rather. Thanks!
I totally understand, a lot of us make mistakes! :-) Don't put Evaporust in the oil holes, that will make things worse. You need a brass hammer or a block of wood to put against the ends of the shaft and tap it back and forth from one side to the other. There is little to no end play so you might not see it move but the the vibration will help. The hook is held on with a set screw as is the pulley that the belt runs on. My email is sewpurtyworkshops@yahoo.com if I can be of more assistance. Maybe you need to sign up for a workshop and bring that machine so we can help ya get her up and running! :-)
Ray, I do have a very nice Wheeler and Wilson in a Walnut cabinet with drawers. I'm missing the tool box. Where can i find one?
Number on machine is 91019 it's a #3 no medallion, 4 patent dates 1850, 51, 52, &54
Also need a belt HELP PLEASE.
Go to woodlandquiltworks.com for a belt or you can get the material from Tandy. I don't have a lead on a toolbox, however there is a Wheeler & Wilson Facebook group where you can likely find someone who would have one
Hi Ray thanks for the video. I have a silver plated W & W and it is serial number 555048 with the same decals as your #1 is it a possibility that mine is a number #1 and not a #3. Also does the needle curve go to the left?? I have mine all cleaned up just trying to get her to sew now. Thanks.
If yours has the silver plating, it is a #1. That is what distinguishes (and is the only difference) the #1 from the others. If it had painted arms, it would be a #3. The decals are irrelevant as they changed over time.
I don’t understand your question about the curve. It curves neither right nor left, the curve should match the arc of the needle bar.
@@rayelkins7872 Yes I figure out the curve and thanks it is a #1 still having trouble getting her to stitch longer than 1.5 inches thanks.