I look on Craigslist for sewing machines all the time... what can I say - I'm obsessed!
Last week I found a treadle for a deal I couldn't pass up. I worked to clean it up but the finish was 'gummy' and really quite ugly. I know collectors are all about having the original paint and all the gold detail in tact but I threw my hands up in the air and took some paint stripper to this machine and boy am I glad I did! I LOVE the bare-metal look!
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Once I got the machine stripped and cleaned off I soaked the other metal parts in alcohol and then polished them with metal polish, put everything back on and then I greased and oiled all the moving parts.
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Once the machine was finished I turned my attention to the cabinet. The plywood on the flat surfaces was peeling up and lots of water stains on the top and the finish was dull.
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I dripped glue underneath the layers that were peeling and used my air compresser to blow it in further. I used clamps to hold it down until it was dry. I glued some other parts that needed help and used my brad nailer to add strength. I sanded the flat work surfaces, stained and put some polyurethane on all the wood surfaces to protect it over the years. I cleaned the cast iron legs and oiled the moving joints and added white ceramic knobs to the drawers.
I am stoked with the results!
MORE PICTURES JUST FOR FUN:
The serial number dates this machine back to 1904!
All clean and pretty inside too!
Labels: restoration, sewing machine, Singer
