Free and No-So-Free

Last week I got a call from a friend asking if I wanted another free sewing machine. Of course I said yes because he hadn't sent over anything I couldn't handle... yet. Besides, if I couldn't fix it I knew what to do with it (parts, etc.). When it gets dropped off, here's what I see:

Table has seen better days!

Oh my, that's a pretty scratched up surface. Inside is a Japanese built JA-13 sewing machine, badged Universal, model KAT, that is dirty but the hand wheel turns so there is hope. Last night I was itching to get a look at it so I pulled the head out of the table and brought her inside. She is one dirty bird:

This photo doesn't do it justice but, trust me, this was grimy

Surface dirt is usually no problem so I take a look inside to find the bobbin case, hook, and ring all covered in a sticky substance. Although I'm not sure what was used, you can bet it was some type of oil that has now congealed into a sticky mess. Thank goodness sewing machine oil cleaned it right up and from there I see there are only a few other parts that got this treatment. Most of it is just dirt that is easily cleaned off with sewing machine oil. Everything is moving really nice until I check the feed dog drop:

Angled rod with bullet on end manages the feed dogs dropping

They don't drop. I work and work on them but I can't get them to move. The bullet and the arm are removed, cleaned further, manipulated, put back together, still no dropping. The hair dryer comes out and with heat applied I finally get movement but not what I need to call this fixed. I give up for now and put things back together but now when I start it up it binds. What? After another hour of adjustments and trying to find exactly where it is catching I have to walk away. Maybe tomorrow I will have a flash of insight.

While this sewing machine was free, I got a package from Missouri Star Quilters that was not free but a pretty good deal. Their enticement emails come on a daily basis and this time I fell prey to one of their deals: Amy Butler designs in a fat quarter bundle and a 10" square stack:

Surprise! Even a free template

They are gorgeous! The 10" squares are repeated so there are 23 different designs for a total of 42 squares but that makes it better for quilting projects. What are my plans? Let's just look at them for now and dream.

Last weekend I picked up a quilt kit from someone in my neck of the woods that I saw advertised and just loved the colors:

Leaf fabric has gold outlines for a rich quality

No plans to make it soon but looks like a nice fall into winter project. Who wants to sew fall colors when it's barely spring? Come September when I'm back with the quilters up north I will love having this project to work on. If I can add more colors to the borders to make it larger, that will be a plus.

Update: I went back to the Universal sewing machine last night and finally tried six different hooks until I found one that didn't rub.

If I only had an arrow to show which part is the hook!

 Everything got adjusted again and now she's sewing fine. It's not as quiet as a sewing machine like this can be but I think with a little TLC on the table and someone might find a decent mechanical machine at a bargain price!

Universal JA-13, model KAT

Stitch sample shows some skipped stitches so maybe it needs a new needle but not too bad for first try

She also comes with a nice set of accessories and the original manual. In the bottom of the accessory manual I found the original bill of sale from 1969: $195 plus tax in Minneapolis. What a deal!

The Universe and Beyond

Sewing machines reflect the times in many ways: contours, color, accessories, names. This is a story of disappointment and redemption. As the holidays are winding down, I took a look at my repair room and thought I needed to get working on some that I hadn't had time to approach. Enter the Revere:

Revere in blue

The blue reminds me of my sister Jane's first car, a Mustang in this shade of blue. It's a Singer 15 clone with the tension dial on the left faceplate. This design/model is known for its great penetration so would be good for heavier fabrics and lightweight leather on an occasional basis. I had marked it for needing wiring so I checked everything out and attached a foot control, re-wrapped the wiring for the light, and turned it on. Very slowly things began to move so I cleaned and oiled so I could get it up to speed. It still moved very slowly. I took the motor apart but there wasn't too much debris but I cleaned it up and tried again. The motor, when disengaged from the belt, was very fast. Attaching the belt and leaving the clutch open, it also moved great. When I tightened the wheel back up, we were at a snails pace. Out came the hairdryer where I applied heat to all the moving parts I could find. It moved just a tad but faster. Time for bed and I'll look at it tomorrow.

Upon inspection the next day and another test drive, it was even slower! The heat might have loosened up that old oil but it re-hardened. I think this sewing machine is a good candidate for a kerosene soak but that will have to wait until warmer weather.

Underside of Revere: looks a bit gummy

 There are times when it's great being a senior citizen and senior discount days are one of then. I found a Universal sewing machine that looked so pristine I couldn't resist but I also couldn't try it out since it was just the head and it needed a motor block (a box with recepticals for the light and motor plugs). Forty percent discount later she's home with me:

Universal in blue

 I find a new motor block with cords and test it out. There is not much of a slow speed but it goes right into high speed. As it does this there is a slight pop or whiz, some noise that I haven't heard before. It does this several times so I find another motor block but it does the same thing. I disengage the clutch on the wheel and just listen to the motor and it has that strange sound right before it goes into high gear. I watch through the openings and see a very small spark but that's not unusual, especially if the motor hasn't been run in a long time. But still, it doesn't seem safe. I take the motor off and give it a good look:

Motor on Universal Sewing Machine

Back together and ready to test but nothing. No sound. I take it apart again and two small chunk of carbon fall out. Oh oh, those are the brushes! I take a good look and see there are short carbon brushes up against the motor but I cannot take them out for replacement because the springs are soldered in! So now I have a dead motor, not unrepairable but just needing more work than I want to give it. Then I have a brainstorm: why not put the Revere motor on the Universal? Both are blue, although different shades, but let's see how it works. With a different motor and foot control, the Universal sews like a dream, no racehorse, so I even put it in the blue wood portable case from the Revere. Now I have a complete sewing machine and one that needs work but that's okay. The Universal does a very nice straight stitch and a graduated zigzag, all you would need to start sewing. I can add accessories like a set of feet, needles, class 15 bobbins, a screw driver and cleaning brush and it's all set to go. Disappointment and redemption. Sometimes it's like that in life.