I've made my list or rather you made it for me. Now, to shop in my husband's garage. I know he will gladly give me many of these items and make sure I have what I need. He's showing an interest in learning how to sew after being hitched to me for 38 years.
I've been sewing for 60+ years and I found this extremely helpful. My only suggestion would be the addition of Hemostat Forseps with straight & curved ends (pet size are quite affordable). For me they are essential - I couldn't thread my serger without them. They are also great for reaching out of reach places and grasping objects. Unlike tweezers, they can clamp and hold on.
Another useful tool---Cooking string--used to gently "floss" in between the tension discs to clean them and "polish" them, and to reduce drag. Also, wooden toothpicks to "scrape" crud off of a delicate surface without scratching. Another one--I love "quad-grade" steel wool 0000 (four zeros) to polish or remove oxidation. It works really well! And, an eyeglass repair tool kit makes for a great micro screwdriver for bobbin cases, as well!
I use that same steel wool to gently clean crud and/or rust from the main shaft and a few other few other places but be sure to clean well afterward. You don't want the "dust" from such fine steel wool getting in linkages, cam stacks or anywhere else with close tolerances, let alone the belts! I usually stick a piece of paper towel underneath where I'm working, then I wipe the area down with sewing machine oil after to pick up and "stragglers". And wear gloves, tiny bits of steel wool in your hands hurt and are hard to find! I also buy professional emery board sets from Amazon (inexpensive). They have several different grits included in the pack from slightly rough grade to a polishing grade for a mirror shine. They are small enough to fit into some tight spaces if necessary and great for cleaning up slightly pitted chrome.
I there, the best set of screwdrivers to use are the types that gunsmiths use, they are hollow ground, they will not slip ( if used carefully of course ), you do a great job with all these videos, I am constantly dipping in and out, many thanks for taking the time and trouble to upload. Bob in the UK
Every hobby uses dental tools. That’s why there’s cheap ones all over. Chapman screwdrivers went up on price, but they’re super useful. They’re listed as gun tools on Amazon so will service any precise machine.
Great video - thanks! I also use pipe cleaners to help with cleaning old lint, etc. out. Can cut different lengths and bend tip into loop/hook and get into tight places. Also can just brush the lint off and keep re-using until too dirty/bent.
This is a great series. I have been buying and collecting sewing machines for about 8 years now. I love restoring them, but its always great to see what other people like to use or how they do things.
Thank you for your videos! I use acid brushes. You can get them at any hardware store very inexpensively. I keep them clean, but I label each one with blue tape; tri flow grease, tri flow oil, kerosene, etc. They are great for oiling your machines.
Great and informative video. Two more tools that are incredibly helpful. The first should be self-evident. That's your videos (and others) on UA-cam. It is awesome how helpful this tool is for any DIYer. The other tool is the email groups and Facebook groups that exist dedicated to specific machines and general SM repair. A lot of wonderful members out there who are willing to help out, not to mention share parts, resources and ideas.
👍 BTW, the CVS droppers are for dispensing liquid medications, usually to children, and are available from the pharmacist for free. Just ask for a dosing syringe.
Thank you for sharing, I fortunately have exactly the same set of screw drivers made by Chapman which definitely help to keep vintage screws from being ruined. I especially appreciated your clarification on lubrications, singer lubrication and when not to use lithium grease etc
I enjoyed this video and listed almost everything you mentioned. You may already know but I noticed along with your dental tools that one was a crochet hook used for making doilies. I have an extensive set of those as I have made many tiny crochet projects. They are easily found in thrift stores. I was given a 15-91 machine which works so it just may need touch ups. Also I purchased a singer from 1892 that is coming in the mail. I find your videos very helpful and intriguing. Thanks!
So helpful thank you. I have been trying to find the right tool for the job. I am a believer that you need the correct tools and equipment to do maintenance and restoration. That if you are not willing to invest or find the correct tools you can potentially cause a lot of damage or at the very least create a lot of extra work.
The glue on self stick Velcro plus the Velcro is so good it’s often better to use that than glue or screw. I’ve put things on bikes with it, decades and continents ridden later nothing has budged.
Thanks for the info. I’ve started working on VSM and find the tools interesting. I think I have most of what I need with a couple of exceptions. Looking forward to watching part 2 of this series
Excellent excellent info! Chapman... Santa brought it for me this year. I wanted to maintain as close to original as possible and not bear up the screw heads in the process,
Thanks a lot for this very informative video. I willl dash into my sewing space to move my magnetic telescope from sewing machine space into the tool box. I look forwrd to watching the next video.
For the precision tip swabs, you can make your own with a toothpick and a wisp off of a cotton ball. I even reuse the toothpicks. But, you can wrap it tighter and make the point however you want it to be. After wrapping the cotton, just roll it lightly between your fingers and it will stay
Hi, I am trying to lubricate an old Kenmore sewing machine with metal gears and am wondering if I can use mineral oil to oil up the machine. For greasing gears and other areas with components sliding up aginst each other that are more similar to gears than a place you would oil, what type of grease could I use? Could I get away with only Tri Flow or do I need to use the singer lubricant that I have seen you use in your videos?
This series promises to be outstanding! How may I contact you directly? What city/state do you post on craigslist? Again, thank you for amazing information
Thank you for a very comprehensive list of tools. I have a few old sewing machines that I am starting to work on. I have a hard time walking past any that are reasonable or free and really need some TLC. Do any of your other videos mention what process and products you use to clean and polish the painted areas? I certainly do not want to use anything that would cause damage.
Hi there Lois. Yes, I actually do have a video on how to properly clean the painted finishes of a sewing machine. I hope to make a video soon that will also cover how to clean/polish the metal finish parts of these machines. If you are subscribed to the channel and click on the little bell symbol, youtube will let you know when another video gets posted. For my CLEANING SERIES Part 1, here is the link: ua-cam.com/video/Jz42RjIKcgg/v-deo.html
IF you have a badly seized screw, try Kroil. We use it for locked bolts and screw on guns and auto. Works far better than other penetrating oils. Blaster is almost as good.
Thanks for the tip Matthew. I"ve heard of Kroil but never seen it sold anywhere to purchase it. Its a bit of a unicorn of a product for some odd reason.
If gobs of grease around gears on the under side of a serviced vintage machine (Singer 237 fashion mate), should I remove some. I dont recall ever seeing as much grease before this time. The machine has many places that must be oiled regularly. Please post names of places where vintage parts may be found besides Ebay. As I truing to find a bobbin winder stop latch. Sir how do you know if ok to reverse without stopping on 237. Thank you for all your videos they are very informative, and you enunciate well and the volume is perfect esp. on my phone. I also have a Kenmore 158 1941.2 super hi shank.
Hello. As long as grease was used only on the gears and not on oiling points, it should not harm anything. When I apply grease to gears, I only need a few dabs about the size of a dime on each gear. You did not mention if this grease you found is new and recently applied. But I would not be concerned as long as the grease is not interfering with other moving parts of the machine.
I forgot to mention that I have found several sites outside of Ebay where you can purchase salvage/vintage used parts. Bonanza.com,Stateside Sewing, and Etsy. If anyone knows of others, please share with us. You may also be able to locate someone that works on older machines in your area that might have a stash of older parts. Good luck with your search!
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Please help me. I have my Grandma's Treddle Singer. The serial Number is damaged. it's a Sphinx model but there are so many models and types, I'm confused. The only recognizable feature is the sliding bobbin case sliding cover is perpendicular to the front of the the machine.
Hi Daniel. I am currently releasing some videos in the RESTORATION SERIES and in one of these, I apply the Singer Lubricant to the same gear but on a Singer 301.
Thanks for the help, was off grid for a bit, could not find email in the about section of your channel to send pictures of motor Fromm White 651, the manual and service manual don’t address the oiling instructions for those ports on top of motor, am going to order Chapman tools, a set for me and set for husband to gunsmith with, I do like to keep a very small vise grip and wire cutters handy to fix treadle belts, along with a few clothes pins to keep the belt from moving back into cabinet before securing wire clamp in those tiny holes. Now I have committed a no no I think, found a Pfaff 260 that needs love, ie, new wiring from the motor to knee pedal, hand wheel moves freely, but someone abused the paint on top cover plate, could send pictures of it also if I could figure out how to send. Oh, what’s the name of the company you order from? Thanks, Marie in Ga- Bernina 530-2.
Hi Marie. The paint on your Pfaff is not a performance issues unless it reflects other kinds of neglect by prior owners. Oh, the site that I often order from is: shop.sew-classic.com/main.sc
Where did you get the Chapmans screwdriver set. Amazon.ca is several times more expensive then what you said. I would like to get a set like that and I like to get the best price! Thanks
Hi Dale. I got mine on Amazon.com over 8 years ago. I assume the price has gone up with inflation and it will naturally be higher in Canadian $ given the exchange rates. But I will say that it is my #1 go-to tool and I use it more than any other. Of course, its great for other uses than just sewing machine overhaul.
It dries out and can create a mess with sewing machines. I know because I've had to remove old lithium grease and it creates a time consuming chore of a job.
Hello and thank you for your question. No, I would NOT use petroleum jelly. Sometimes, I know that some materials can resemble others and they can appear the same, but you will want to use grease such as those which I showed in the video. If you cannot find or easily locate the Tri Flow grease, the Singer Lubricant I showed can often be found in sewing stores or even craft stores that carry sewing supplies.
Lithium grease is very difficult to remove once it needs replacing. I have had to remove old lithium grease on a few machines before and its a nightmare compared to cleaning off other grease types. The other problem with Lithium is that it will ruin sewing motors that require grease for their bearings instead of oil. Lithium does not offer any advantages in sewing machine application but does have a lot of issues associated with it for long term use.
Work on your video aim....you're almost always off to one side or another. When looking at smaller items, if you hold them up against a surface closer than the background in general, the camera will focus MUCH better and consistently. LOVE your videos, please don't let my criticism deter you!
I did notice that too, but I disagree about half as long. The best teachers, like VSMG, explain and reiterate and demonstrate. I notice and appreciate that. It keeps the rewinding down to a minimum.
I've made my list or rather you made it for me. Now, to shop in my husband's garage. I know he will gladly give me many of these items and make sure I have what I need. He's showing an interest in learning how to sew after being hitched to me for 38 years.
I've been sewing for 60+ years and I found this extremely helpful. My only suggestion would be the addition of Hemostat Forseps with straight & curved ends (pet size are quite affordable). For me they are essential - I couldn't thread my serger without them. They are also great for reaching out of reach places and grasping objects. Unlike tweezers, they can clamp and hold on.
Thank you for the great idea Kathryn. I will need those when I get around to the overhaul of my overlockers.
Another useful tool---Cooking string--used to gently "floss" in between the tension discs to clean them and "polish" them, and to reduce drag. Also, wooden toothpicks to "scrape" crud off of a delicate surface without scratching. Another one--I love "quad-grade" steel wool 0000 (four zeros) to polish or remove oxidation. It works really well! And, an eyeglass repair tool kit makes for a great micro screwdriver for bobbin cases, as well!
Great points!
I use that same steel wool to gently clean crud and/or rust from the main shaft and a few other few other places but be sure to clean well afterward. You don't want the "dust" from such fine steel wool getting in linkages, cam stacks or anywhere else with close tolerances, let alone the belts! I usually stick a piece of paper towel underneath where I'm working, then I wipe the area down with sewing machine oil after to pick up and "stragglers". And wear gloves, tiny bits of steel wool in your hands hurt and are hard to find!
I also buy professional emery board sets from Amazon (inexpensive). They have several different grits included in the pack from slightly rough grade to a polishing grade for a mirror shine. They are small enough to fit into some tight spaces if necessary and great for cleaning up slightly pitted chrome.
I there, the best set of screwdrivers to use are the types that gunsmiths use, they are hollow ground, they will not slip ( if used carefully of course ), you do a great job with all these videos, I am constantly dipping in and out, many thanks for taking the time and trouble to upload. Bob in the UK
Every hobby uses dental tools. That’s why there’s cheap ones all over.
Chapman screwdrivers went up on price, but they’re super useful. They’re listed as gun tools on Amazon so will service any precise machine.
Great video - thanks! I also use pipe cleaners to help with cleaning old lint, etc. out. Can cut different lengths and bend tip into loop/hook and get into tight places. Also can just brush the lint off and keep re-using until too dirty/bent.
This is a great series. I have been buying and collecting sewing machines for about 8 years now. I love restoring them, but its always great to see what other people like to use or how they do things.
Thank you for your videos! I use acid brushes. You can get them at any hardware store very inexpensively. I keep them clean, but I label each one with blue tape; tri flow grease, tri flow oil, kerosene, etc. They are great for oiling your machines.
Great and informative video. Two more tools that are incredibly helpful. The first should be self-evident. That's your videos (and others) on UA-cam. It is awesome how helpful this tool is for any DIYer. The other tool is the email groups and Facebook groups that exist dedicated to specific machines and general SM repair. A lot of wonderful members out there who are willing to help out, not to mention share parts, resources and ideas.
Awesome, thank you!
👍 BTW, the CVS droppers are for dispensing liquid medications, usually to children, and are available from the pharmacist for free. Just ask for a dosing syringe.
Thank you for sharing, I fortunately have exactly the same set of screw drivers made by Chapman which definitely help to keep vintage screws from being ruined. I especially appreciated your clarification on lubrications, singer lubrication and when not to use lithium grease etc
I enjoyed this video and listed almost everything you mentioned. You may already know but I noticed along with your dental tools that one was a crochet hook used for making doilies. I have an extensive set of those as I have made many tiny crochet projects. They are easily found in thrift stores. I was given a 15-91 machine which works so it just may need touch ups. Also I purchased a singer from 1892 that is coming in the mail. I find your videos very helpful and intriguing. Thanks!
So helpful thank you. I have been trying to find the right tool for the job. I am a believer that you need the correct tools and equipment to do maintenance and restoration. That if you are not willing to invest or find the correct tools you can potentially cause a lot of damage or at the very least create a lot of extra work.
Glad it was helpful!
The glue on self stick Velcro plus the Velcro is so good it’s often better to use that than glue or screw. I’ve put things on bikes with it, decades and continents ridden later nothing has budged.
Thanks for the info. I’ve started working on VSM and find the tools interesting. I think I have most of what I need with a couple of exceptions. Looking forward to watching part 2 of this series
Excellent excellent info! Chapman... Santa brought it for me this year. I wanted to maintain as close to original as possible and not bear up the screw heads in the process,
Thanks a lot for this very informative video. I willl dash into my sewing space to move my magnetic telescope from sewing machine space into the tool box.
I look forwrd to watching the next video.
For the precision tip swabs, you can make your own with a toothpick and a wisp off of a cotton ball. I even reuse the toothpicks. But, you can wrap it tighter and make the point however you want it to be. After wrapping the cotton, just roll it lightly between your fingers and it will stay
Great video
Very useful information, thank you
Hi, I am trying to lubricate an old Kenmore sewing machine with metal gears and am wondering if I can use mineral oil to oil up the machine. For greasing gears and other areas with components sliding up aginst each other that are more similar to gears than a place you would oil, what type of grease could I use? Could I get away with only Tri Flow or do I need to use the singer lubricant that I have seen you use in your videos?
This series promises to be outstanding! How may I contact you directly? What city/state do you post on craigslist? Again, thank you for amazing information
Thank you for a very comprehensive list of tools. I have a few old sewing machines that I am starting to work on. I have a hard time walking past any that are reasonable or free and
really need some TLC. Do any of your other videos mention what process and products you use to clean and polish the painted areas? I certainly do not want to use anything that would cause damage.
Hi there Lois. Yes, I actually do have a video on how to properly clean the painted finishes of a sewing machine. I hope to make a video soon that will also cover how to clean/polish the metal finish parts of these machines. If you are subscribed to the channel and click on the little bell symbol, youtube will let you know when another video gets posted. For my CLEANING SERIES Part 1, here is the link: ua-cam.com/video/Jz42RjIKcgg/v-deo.html
IF you have a badly seized screw, try Kroil. We use it for locked bolts and screw on guns and auto. Works far better than other penetrating oils. Blaster is almost as good.
Thanks for the tip Matthew. I"ve heard of Kroil but never seen it sold anywhere to purchase it. Its a bit of a unicorn of a product for some odd reason.
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage I bought it at NAPA auto parts and supply.
If gobs of grease around gears on the under side of a serviced vintage machine (Singer 237 fashion mate), should I remove some. I dont recall ever seeing as much grease before this time. The machine has many places that must be oiled regularly. Please post names of places where vintage parts may be found besides Ebay. As I truing to find a bobbin winder stop latch. Sir how do you know if ok to reverse without stopping on 237. Thank you for all your videos they are very informative, and you enunciate well and the volume is perfect esp. on my phone. I also have a Kenmore 158 1941.2 super hi shank.
Hello. As long as grease was used only on the gears and not on oiling points, it should not harm anything. When I apply grease to gears, I only need a few dabs about the size of a dime on each gear. You did not mention if this grease you found is new and recently applied. But I would not be concerned as long as the grease is not interfering with other moving parts of the machine.
I forgot to mention that I have found several sites outside of Ebay where you can purchase salvage/vintage used parts. Bonanza.com,Stateside Sewing, and Etsy. If anyone knows of others, please share with us. You may also be able to locate someone that works on older machines in your area that might have a stash of older parts. Good luck with your search!
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Please help me. I have my Grandma's Treddle Singer. The serial Number is damaged. it's a Sphinx model but there are so many models and types, I'm confused. The only recognizable feature is the sliding bobbin case sliding cover is perpendicular to the front of the the machine.
thank you, i always thought you needed some kind of certification to do this.
s
I have a 201 do you have a video showing this gear that you use the singer specific lube on?
Hi Daniel. I am currently releasing some videos in the RESTORATION SERIES and in one of these, I apply the Singer Lubricant to the same gear but on a Singer 301.
Thanks for the help, was off grid for a bit, could not find email in the about section of your channel to send pictures of motor Fromm White 651, the manual and service manual don’t address the oiling instructions for those ports on top of motor, am going to order Chapman tools, a set for me and set for husband to gunsmith with, I do like to keep a very small vise grip and wire cutters handy to fix treadle belts, along with a few clothes pins to keep the belt from moving back into cabinet before securing wire clamp in those tiny holes. Now I have committed a no no I think, found a Pfaff 260 that needs love, ie, new wiring from the motor to knee pedal, hand wheel moves freely, but someone abused the paint on top cover plate, could send pictures of it also if I could figure out how to send. Oh, what’s the name of the company you order from? Thanks, Marie in Ga- Bernina 530-2.
Hi Marie. The paint on your Pfaff is not a performance issues unless it reflects other kinds of neglect by prior owners. Oh, the site that I often order from is: shop.sew-classic.com/main.sc
Why not use lithium grease? I have just greased my machines and used a lithium grease. Now I get scared! Do I have to remove it?
Lithium grease is oil mixed with a lithium-based soap.
Where did you get the Chapmans screwdriver set. Amazon.ca is several times more expensive then what you said. I would like to get a set like that and I like to get the best price! Thanks
Hi Dale. I got mine on Amazon.com over 8 years ago. I assume the price has gone up with inflation and it will naturally be higher in Canadian $ given the exchange rates. But I will say that it is my #1 go-to tool and I use it more than any other. Of course, its great for other uses than just sewing machine overhaul.
The syringes are used for giving babies oral meds.
Do you have affiliated links to some or all of the tools you use?
Someone has probably already said this, but that 'dental tool' with the little hook? That's not a dental tool; it's a crochet hook.
whats the problem with lithium grease on metal gears ?
It dries out and can create a mess with sewing machines. I know because I've had to remove old lithium grease and it creates a time consuming chore of a job.
Chapman sets are now $50+
Can I use petroleum jelly instead of grease
Hello and thank you for your question. No, I would NOT use petroleum jelly. Sometimes, I know that some materials can resemble others and they can appear the same, but you will want to use grease such as those which I showed in the video. If you cannot find or easily locate the Tri Flow grease, the Singer Lubricant I showed can often be found in sewing stores or even craft stores that carry sewing supplies.
Why don't you want to use lithium grease?
Lithium grease is very difficult to remove once it needs replacing. I have had to remove old lithium grease on a few machines before and its a nightmare compared to cleaning off other grease types. The other problem with Lithium is that it will ruin sewing motors that require grease for their bearings instead of oil. Lithium does not offer any advantages in sewing machine application but does have a lot of issues associated with it for long term use.
Work on your video aim....you're almost always off to one side or another. When looking at smaller items, if you hold them up against a surface closer than the background in general, the camera will focus MUCH better and consistently.
LOVE your videos, please don't let my criticism deter you!
Thank you for the suggestion. Great idea!
Good info and a nice voice but, jeeez, sooo chatty and repetitive. Could be---should be---half as long.
I did notice that too, but I disagree about half as long.
The best teachers, like VSMG, explain and reiterate and demonstrate. I notice and appreciate that. It keeps the rewinding down to a minimum.