As the final refurbishing touch to fixing up old sewing machines, the general consensus seems to be to use carnauba wax to make the machine all shiny. So I got some that specifically stated it was safe for clearcoats, which from what I've read seems to be the salient point.

Will not damage decals! the multiple instructions claimed.

As usual, the instructions lied.

Fortunately I didn't do it all at once, so most of the decals are no worse for wear. I simply waxed the areas of the machine that don't have decals, and am calling it done. (There's the part where I ended up with two small washers extra after putting things back together, but I haven't yet figured out where they came from.) Put a needle in the machine and it doesn't seem to be hitting the bobbin case, so I don't need to adjust the needlebar. Now I just wait for my bits-and-bobs order to arrive, use the screws to put the machine back on the cabinet hinges, and then I'm done and will take pictures for y'all to ooh and ahh over.

Still need to refinish the cabinet, but one skill acquisition at a time.

Mrah. Went out to the garage to check the oil level in my car and ended up reassembling the sewing machine. It's... better than it was. After the application of lubricant and heat. But it's still not working. Dragged Wonderful Husband out for a consult, and we think it's the section in the bottom that I couldn't disassemble to soak in Evapo-rust that's causing the problems. Solution is to measure the machine and find/purchase a plastic tub that will let it sit upright in Evapo-rust. We popped into Ganahl Lumber today and found some nice 1/4" plywood that will probably do to refinish the top of the treadle. Just needs staining and cutting to size.

I have also ended up buying a Singer 66 with somewhat faded red eye decals. It's rusty, but it was $10. Will see what I can make of it, after I get the 15 working.

I think I've finally reached the point of detachment where I can probably let go of both of the Touch 'N' Sew machines I inherited from my grandmothers. Neither has worked for years, and while I now have the money to get them repaired, it'll still be expensive (~$300 each) and given that it would be replacing plastic gears with plastic gears, I'm not sure it would be worth it. One of them goes in a small sewing desk that we have by the front door holding up an ivy plant and sheltering our shredder. The other is in a fairly substantial sewing desk that I would keep.

Thing is, I wonder if my getting into vintage sewing machines was a bad thing. Because it seems to be leading me toward avarice. There are two particular pieces I want at the moment, and while they're both relatively affordable, it comes down to the issue of space and use. This cabinet is one of them, and this chain stitch machine is the other. I want these two pieces very much, and the thing is, while I can afford them, that doesn't mean I should get them.

So I spent my time at the gym tonight meditating on want and Buddhist philosophies of detachment. I haven't come to any conclusions save that I enjoyed watching Pretty Woman (on one screen) much more than the Kiera Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice (on another screen). I did confirm, however, that a half hour on the elliptical machine leaves the soles of my feet feeling like I've been walking on knives. I only went to the gym twice last week, and am only ending up going twice this week, so I need to kick the calorie expenditure higher than usual, which the elliptical will do. (Ended up burning 650-ish.)

So, because I don't have enough things to keep me busy, I've taken on a new project. Some of you may recall me cleaning out the back bedroom last weekend? Well, part of that was because I had my eye on a sewing machine that had come up on Craigslist and part of my Wonderful Husband agreeing to my purchasing it was the aforementioned cleaning, including finding a space for it.

Which I did.

So today we went to look at the machine and it's in worse shape than I'd hoped, but it was $25.

( pics! )