Restoring a 1920's Singer Sewing Machine Table, A World-Class Antique
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- Опубліковано 17 сер 2023
- I bought this run down Singer Simanco Sewing machine for 25$, and restored it to its original condition as best as I could. This was one of the most interesting restorations I have ever done, and I plan to continue with this series until I have a fully functional sewing machine, that I can use to sew whatever I want to. Follow me on my journey to make this dream a reality!
I'm an engineer based in Europe. I made this channel to challenge my creativity and test my skills in all fields. Definitely building up some confidence in planning, definitely need more experience in execution.
Thanks for watching,
--One
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Beautiful result. My grandmother pulled a Singer treadle sewing machine out of a dump, in 1949. It had the manual in one of the drawers. It was built in the 1880's, it had a shuttle bobbin instead of a round one. My Grandmother used the manual to completely disassemble the sewing machine. She cleaned all of the metal parts & oiled them before rebuilding the machine. Th veneer had warped in some places due to being in the weather. She stripped the varnish, from all of the wood and and pressed the warped veneer where needed. My Grandmother gave the machine to my mother as a wedding present. My mom taught me, and my two sisters to sew using this machine. I have it now. It still is the best machine I've used to sew leather. It does a great job all around. Thank you for sharing your time and your adventure👍🤟🪡🎨
I clicked on the video because I'm literally sitting beside this model of sewing machine with my coffee sitting on top. I actually learned to sew on this machine 😂
Dude, nice !
A little tip. When you clean your sewing machine and oil it. Make sure you get the proper oil. Secondly put several layers of newspaper under it to catch all the excess oil. When storing it in the cabinet also add several layers of newspapers in the barrel section to catch any excess that will drip when down. This avoids any oil and that beautiful cabinet you just restored. Nice work. I look forward to watching more of your content.😁
My Grandma had a Singer Sewing Machine
Like this with a pedal. I was delighted to see this
I have some thin machinist oil, will probably use that, thanks for the advice !
Best to oil properly and not to over oil.
This is kismet!! I’m going now to buy a #2 table just like this one. The one I’m buying has been restored but looks just like yours…my red eye will look amazing in her!! You did an awesome job!!
Red eye is so beautiful, will get one of those soon :D
Wonderful video. I've always been interested in sewing machines (sewing machine nerd, I guess!). That's because when I was a boy, my mother always had a sewing machine. Round about 1955, she had one of these similar to yours where the machine drops down into the table. My father got an electric motor and foot pedal and somehow turned it into an electric sewing machine. I remember the motor had a small pulley and driving belt linked to the side wheel of the machine. He must have dismantled the treadle and linkages as well for the motor to work. He worked in the Singer factory in Clydebank, Scotland as a wood machinist and helped to make the wooden cabinets, carry cases and lids for the sewing machines. These cabinets and cases were made from a variety of different woods, Oak, Walnut, Mahogony, Maple, Cherry, Tiger Oak, Birch and Pine. Singer also offered cabinets made from exotic woods like Rosewood, Teak, or Exotic Burls. These were typically reserved for high-end, custom, or special edition models.
The availability of wood types could vary by region and over time. Some Singer sewing machine cabinets were highly ornate and featured intricate woodwork, while others were more utilitarian in design. The choice of wood often played a role in the overall aesthetics and cost of the sewing machine cabinet. Collectors and enthusiasts today often seek out Singer cabinets made from specific wood types for their historical and aesthetic value.
About 1962, he was made redundant due to Singer discontinuing the wooden cabinets and wooden carry cases and starting to make their carry cases from plastic.
By the mid to late 20th century, the production of sewing machine cabinets had largely ceased in many parts of the world as sewing machine manufacturers, including Singer, focused on producing sewing machines that were more compact, lightweight, and designed to be used on various surfaces.
The Singer factory closed in 1980 due to a number of factors: Changing Market Dynamics, Economic Challenges, Global Restructuring, Technological Advancements, Consolidation.
The closure of the Clydebank factory is a reflection of broader trends in the sewing machine industry during the 20th century. The sewing machine market evolved significantly, with a shift toward smaller, more versatile machines and changes in manufacturing practices and locations to remain competitive in the global market.
I collect and repair vintage machines. Though I'm against altering the machines in any way, you did a nice job on the table.
Love the video, but I almost choked on my tea when you removed the machine hinges from the table top first!!! There are set screws that can simply be loosened underneath the machine allowing the machine to be lifted out first. Then unscrew the hinges from the table top. This was an extremely lucky removal.
Точно такой же стол у моей старинной китайской машинки марки "Летающий человек", она сделана по лицензии Зингер в 1958 году в Шанхае. Ключ от ящиков очень простой, обычная плоская металлическая пластинка в форме ключа и потому его легко заменить отвёрткой нужной ширины. Стол вы сделали отлично, но самое потрясающее - это сама швейная машинка, при должном уходе она будет работать и работать, шить шёлк и джинсовку, ситец и пальтовый драп. Она стоит того, чтобы вы её тоже восстановили :)
Thanks, cant wait to try it out !
Restoration of vintage Singer machines is my hobby. You got it in one. My current project is a model 27 in an oak treadle table very similar to yours. The electroplating process is actually very simple, the most complex thing you need is a DC power supply. Even at home, you can get very good results; some of the metal solutions do smell a little though.
I recently bought one of these with the intention of fixing it up. Initially I thought I'd just dust and give it a good clean, but with your thorough breakdown and filmed process, I think I'll give a full refinish a try!
Its a really fun project, but expect to spend a couple of months on it haha :)
I have my grandmother's old Singer, and I am so thankful for your walk-through of the restoration process! Someday, if I have time and $$, I'd love to get mine working again.
Others in the comments, please correct me, but I think the locks on the drawers and cabinet could mean that yours was a commercial machine, used in a business or garment factory. Each person who used it may have had "their drawer" to store scissors, pins, etc. - when you started your shift, you unlocked your drawer with your assigned key to access your supplies. Seems like, when the garment factories upgraded to different machines, maybe they sold these old models to the workers or the general public - at least, that makes sense to me (though my grandmother was never a seamstress & I have no idea where or how she got her machine). It gives me a feeling of history to see these beautiful sewing machines restored to their purpose! Looking forward to your next video!
The drawers each operate with the same key, so I’m not sure about the idea of different people having their own private drawer. This machine was not necessarily a factory machine. Singer had many cabinets, from plain with a single drawer all the way up to ornate with multiple carved drawers in beautiful wood veneers, to make them affordable and desirable at different price points. Most of the tables locked, so I think the most common explanation is that the locking drawers kept children and visitors from using the bobbins like yo-yos and the good fabric shears on paper-crafts. 😄
Thats pretty much my conclusion, basically to keep nos children from messing with your machine and stuff :DD
You did very nice and detailed work on this machine table. I’m always pleased to see another antique machine cherished and restored. A little beeswax where the drawers rub on the frame will make them glide out smoothly.
When you clean the machine head, be sure to only use sewing machine oil as the cleaner. If you shine a black light on the finish, you can see any places where the shellac is disintegrating or missing so that you can touch it up with more shellac.
If you go the Singer website, you can download the manual for this machine, as well as the repair manual and adjuster’s manual. They are interesting for an engineer such as yourself and handy for anyone who is going to take the machine apart for deep cleaning.
Also, I don’t know how familiar you are with these antique machines, but just in case you or someone in the comments doesn’t know about them, I thought I would share. There are lots of feet and attachments available for the machines that allow you to do turned hems, bias binding, zigzag stitches, blind hem stitches, decorative stitches, buttonholes, embroidery, tucks and ruffles, hemstitching, pinked and scalloped edges, etc., etc.. Fiddly Bits does some well-filmed demos of many of them.
I look forward to seeing the wonderful things you sew on this machine.
You are hilarious to me. So Technical in your describing the process. Love it. I hope you are able to do more restorations. Thank you.
More to come for sure, thanks !
Explicit detailed repair/refurbishment commentary. For me and maybe others , that kind of narrative is just as interesting/important as the wood worrking/mechanical aspect of this gorgeous restoration. Awaiting next video. In 1955 my mother taught me to sew on such a machine. She, my older sister, my grandma and I used this machine until early 70s. Except for rubber belt and expert maintenance/lint and dust removal/lubrication my dad did, our Singer Sewing Machine never failed, even the treadle stayed in tact. Thank you for sharing your experience with this projec🎉😊t
Thanks for sharing !
Oxalic acid powder in water on "rust stains" will bleach the wood to some extent. Depends on age of stains etc. My grandfather bought a Singer set for my grandmother like you have. It was a 1921 model with foot treadle operation. He noticed some of the wood furniture was made from laminated (plywood) boards. He was making a dining table out set of quarter sawn white oak at the time for my great aunt's wedding, so he copied all the parts of the console that were not solid wood in quarter sawn. It was refinished by me when my mom inherited it, and I rebuilt and painted the machine with new repro decals when I was in high school. That console and machine sold at my moms estate auction/sale for $3,000.00.
Truly amazing work! In my home I have an antique White sewing machine with a treadle drive mechanism. A leather belt drives the machine and the drawers of the cabinet are hand carved. It needs refinishing
Thanks ! You dont need any special tools for that, and its a fun project, you should try it !
The argument for shellac finish on modern wood is that, as you found, it's easily removed and repaired compared to other film finishes. I know oxalic acid dissolved in water is used to bleach wood, perhaps applied with a small brush, it might lighten the black marks from metal contact on your next project. Also, there are grain fillers, typically powdered clear silica if you want a completely smooth surface. Personally, I like a little texture. Well done overall.
I know for a fact, oxalic acid exceeded my expections a long ways. I have the same project ahead of me. That drop down tray is badly damaged, making a new one. loved your video.
Hi, I follow many restoration channels and the value of your video is the generous and detailed disassembly on camera and subsequent assembly of the furniture - few would go to the trouble - and it shows your "engineering" mind. Regarding the wood, it is fine, but it shows that processes that appear simple, require a lot of patience, a lot of sanding between numerous fine coats of lacquer to achieve a superior finish.
Yeah it took a long time haha :)
Excellent result, I am currently on the lookout for one of these tables to restore to house my Singer 201K sewing machine, and your final colour is exactly the look I'll be aiming for👍
Thanks, good luck on finding one!
What a lovely restoration. This brought tears to my eyes as I found this exact machine in the attic of my mothers house when clearing after she passed away. She had it as a gift when she was 17 and was working as a seamstress for the Co-op.I remember her using it to make me beautiful clothes on. I thought she had got rid of it when she got a modern electic machine. My father converted the Singer to electric from treadle for her. I wish I had had the knowhow to restore it as it was in quite a bad condition , I am now sorry I got rid of it.
Thanks for sharing your story, yeah I was wondering if it was possible to convert it to function as both electric and purely treadle, so you have the option of doing either one, still doing some research on that :D
Great restoration. Looks new. So interesting.
Thank you so much !
We have a similar one (single drawers on each side) in our family. My Mother used it regularly until the age of 90 and wouldn’t have swapped it for anything! Fascinating to watch your restoration - thank you! Best wishes from Penny in Liverpool 🇬🇧😊
Top looks fantastic, nice work!
Thanks ! Means a lot !
I like the finish you used. I think it looks appropriate for the age of the piece. Great video!
Thanks so much !
I have an old Singer sewing machine that was given to me. It sat in an old barn for I don't know how many years. It looks rough but I plan to restore it as much as possible. I also worked with a man that his hobby was restoring old Singers and he owned several hundred of them. I need to get in touch with him when I start on mine.... Thanks for sharing!!!
Go for it, it really is a fun project !
I learnt to sew on a Singer treadle machine just like yours in the late 40s / early 50s. It was a great sewing machine! It sewed only straight stitches, no zigzag, no reverse, but made a perfect seam. Sadly, my mother got rid of it when she was seduced by the lure of electric and fancy stitches.
Trying to track down my great-grandmas old machine, will definately have to restore that one when I find it...
I am so glad that you restored this sewing machine cabinet to its former glory. I look forward to the next video of the installation of the machine head. Remember to clean the head by using an oil on the paint such as WD40. Do not use traditional cleaners as they will strip the coating off.
I am young enough to have seen these tables (sewing machines) in action and I also love to attempt to restore items and give them new life, it reminds me of a day when people acted like grown adults instead of as children as most do today!
Yeah all too true
Beautiful job! Thanks for sharing
❤❤❤Great Job !
Thanks!
I’m in the middle of restoring a 120 year old treadle machine. The wood on the table is so delicate in places. It’s so nice to have others acknowledge just how many components make up these tables. Mine is extra challenging because I somehow managed to get a very fancy version of the table that has all these gorgeous wood appliqués that are incredibly hard to clean. I did learn some things from this video that will definitely help me, so thank you!
My tips: carbide scrapers work great for taking off old finish and stain, you can scrape it off dry or use a stripper of some kind. You can also use a black light to check if you’ve gotten finish and dirt off in an area. In my experience, old finish fluoresces green, dirt fluoresces purple. Bare wood will just look like itself. Stops you from sanding more than you need to. Your mileage may vary with your particular project, but it is a nice tool.
Nice tip on the blacklight, especially since I have one, never knew it would be useful in this endeavour too. Good luck on your machine I was looking for one of those for a long time, will eventually find one I can restore ! Glad you could learn from me, thanks for watching !
Great video! I have similar Singer from my great grandmother. My relatives wanted to throw it away, I took it to my apartment (it is so heavy to lift!). Wood is not in the best condition, some water damage, dirt and grime. I hope to restore it in the future. You video is not only entertaining, but also useful for me.
Same here! I have my grandmother's old machine - hoping to someday have the time and $$ to restore it to working condition!
Thanks for your kind words !
The restoration is beautiful. You are very talented.
Love the finished piece. Great work.
Thanks buddy !
Awesome job! Isaac Singer was my great grandfather several generations back.
Wow thats crazy, I really enjoyed working on this machine it truly is magnificent ! Every mechanical part fitting togeather to produce amazing movement is truly special imo.
OK. As a lifelong sewist (Mom sat me in her lap with a needle, thread and fabric to play at 10 months old) WOW! Isaac Singer as a great grandfather. That is just SEW cool!!!😎
@@cliftonmcnalley8469 Thanks, awesome comment!
Tip! Oxolic acid will get rid of most stains on wood… mix with water let dry rinse well and repeat if needed before sanding! Check out Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration… he explains things very well!
Thanks, Ill check it out !
You get a very nice job
Tyty
Looks amazing and great video 👍
I do up vintage sewing machines and have found a citric acid bath is both cheap and highly effect for rust but be sure to keep checking as it will eat the nickel finish if left too long.
Beautiful workmanship!
I have one identical to your they are wonderful and a pleasure to use. Happy sewing when you have completed the restoration
Thanks !
Loved you Video, and all your detailed explanation of the process. I have my Grandmother's Treadle Sewing machine, and the table, I think She got it in 1907, when She came to the USA. I'm eager to see what you do with the Sewing machine. Thank you for sharing your work. 😎🌴☀️
Lots of sewing projects in the works, stick around if you want to see what I make with it :)
What a beauty. It came out great! Hope to see more restorations in the future. New subscriber.😊
Beautiful restoration! Loved watching your video!
Thanks, that means a lot !
45 years ago, I learnt to sew on a Singer manual sewing machine... I'd love to source another one. I have a modern sewing machine, but it doesn't have the same eurythmy
They are pretty affordable on ebay if you are willing to put in some work restoring you can get them looking sharp
when using solvents, please use PPE, including resperators
Trying to pay more attention to this, thanks !
That is so beautiful. I hope some day I can do my two close to what you did. I’m real proud for you.
Thanks so much !
I think you commentary is amazing.. I have the same machine at home so was very greatful you explained everything so well.. if people don’t like your talking.. TURN THE VOLUME DOWN!!!
My thoughts exactly haha
hey, you can use a hardened steel bristle brush to knock the gunk off the sand paper a few times before having to replace sanding pads.
Perfect restoration!😉
Such a great restoration. 😃😃
Thanks, apprecieate it !
Parabéns,ficou linda,minha avó tem uma igual precisando de cuidado.
Thank you so much
I'm impressed your work
Thanks!
I hope you find the key to the drawers. I would imagine it would be one-key-fits-all? I enjoyed your video!
Yeah it should be a single master key, if i dont find it ill guess I will have to order one...
Hermozo trabajo mi esposa tenia una igualita a esa
Great job! 👍🏼 Excited to see the sewing machine next! Subbed!
Thanks for the sub, video will be out mid september probably
Great work friend, have a nice day !!!. Brian UK !!!.
Thanks Brian !
Vivíamos en Cuba y se la regalamos a una amiga antes de venir a este gran País E.U. MIAMI FL,
I wish they still made these types of machines for people that like human powered machines. I don't care that they'd be reproductions, I just love the way they look and love using tools and machines that don't need electricity!
Yeah me too, mechanical machines are the best !
Copper plate at home is easy copper sulphate a car bty and a copper electrode is all you need
Yeah I need to try that !
Super work❤
Thanks !
Beautiful 👍👍
Thank you!
Lindo demais parabéns !
Looks spectacular. Awesome job!
Did the metal pieces (hinges etc) have copper coating or brass? Brass can be coated fairly easily using a brass brush and a torch.
I think they were copper, so copper plating is the way to go
Did you consider "popping the grain" with water between sanding grits?
Sounds like a good idea, I thought just using alcohol popped the grain enough on the first sand
good work
Tyty
❤❤❤❤❤
Tyty
Bro brought out the sausages at 14:38
haha:)
Maybe try oxalic acid to remove the iron stains from the hardware.
Thanks, good idea!
I didn't catch what product you used to take off the shellac and tar. You poured it on and used a scraper. Was it the denatured alcohol? Great job by the way. As I look at different models of the Singer Treadle Machines, some had cabinets that had very very fancy wood carvings and decals. I just recently picked one of those up. Even the machine has very ostentatious decals on it. Those must be for the wealthier ladies...
Sadly got rid of my Grans a few years back. Boy could she use, it or make it Sing as I used to say. Exact same as this one.
Yeah they take up a lot of space and can sell for a lot if they are in good condition, im not sure if I will keep it yet...
Absolutely beautiful! Well done.
Have you ever tried a carbide scraper for scraping? I have found them much much more efficient and easier to use than the spackling knives.
Have not heard about this before, if I see one at home depot Ill give it a shot!
I subbed!!!
Thanks, apprecieate it ! More content is on the way :D
I noticed in this video that when ever you use chemicals or when you use the palm sander you sometimes wear gloves and sometimes not. What factors determine when you use them and when not?
Yeah basically when i dont forget to put them on and not mess up my hands I use gloves haha
I loved your video. Please be careful with your health!@@hefestodesign
Kroil oil will cut the crud on metal parts.
hay u gaet👍👍👍👍👍👍
That black tar….really was tar, cigarette tar. I wish you would consider using carnauba wax. It leaves such a luster to the wood
nice job Bro,.and your hot,lol
Thanks 😅
Thank God we can forward. You do too much talking.
I'll try to shut it a bit in the next vids, stick around to find oit if I manage to do it haha :)
With these types of videos, don’t feel obligated to talk so much. People watch these videos to see the process and the before and after. Good video though
Thanks Ill try to shut it once in a while haha :)
Your video will be amazing if you don’t talk so much!
Guess you could turn the volume down a bit :/ but ill try haha
To mush talking
Quite frankly, you talk way too much for a restoration video. It's a visual medium...we can see what's going on. No need to describe every step of the process. Thankfully the restoration turned out OK.
Thank you for the input, i guess I have a chatty personality... Haha, but I am glad you like the final product
@@hefestodesign I think he may have an outlier viewpoint. not every restoration video needs to be wordless ASMR. Sometimes it is good to have an actual understanding of the process, not just sit there staring blankly at the screen while you feel good. I like your technique, as do a bunch of other commenters.
Mate, turn down the volume.
You're welcome.
@@lwilton: I agree with your viewpoint. I enjoyed the commentary as you went along. A truly spectacular restoration. BRAVO!!