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Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews
Posted on: 4/16/10 4:29 PM ET
MY DH brought me home yet another "find" only this one is really bad. Does anyone have any suggestions? The presser foot is rusted down. the lever does not move. The handwheel moves somewhat but nothing happens. Notic in the pics the motor looks out of place "made in Japan". Should I try to restore this machine? If so, how should I start? I would dearly love to restore this to its glory--it looks like it would be so pretty! Here are the pics:
RED EYE
-- Edited on 4/16/10 4:33 PM --
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RED EYE
-- Edited on 4/16/10 4:33 PM --
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Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Janome Coverpro 1000, Babylock BLCS, Juki 654 (2), Babylock Spirit, Juki TL2010q, Brother PE770
Posted on: 4/16/10 4:44 PM ET
I too have a redeye, your decals are in better shape than mine, but I got mine to sew.
I soak rusty parts in Evaporust and it usually takes the rust right off. What I will do over the weekend is dab some on a rusted part of something and see if that will take the rust out without having to soak it. Let you know Monday.
Hope you have lots of machine oil, you will need it. I believe it may need greasing too. Its probably dirty underneath. I think it may be salvageable but it will take some careful elbow grease.
Zanylady
I soak rusty parts in Evaporust and it usually takes the rust right off. What I will do over the weekend is dab some on a rusted part of something and see if that will take the rust out without having to soak it. Let you know Monday.
Hope you have lots of machine oil, you will need it. I believe it may need greasing too. Its probably dirty underneath. I think it may be salvageable but it will take some careful elbow grease.
Zanylady
Posted on: 4/16/10 5:33 PM ET
Aaaahhhh, poor little thing, how could anyone do that to a sweet little machine like her..........
Hope it works out for you to free her, best wishes.
Hope it works out for you to free her, best wishes.
Posted on: 4/16/10 7:06 PM ET
There is a guy in Phoenix that might restore it... if you don't want to. And there may be some that do that in your neck of the woods.
Best place to find them is in Craig's list. They usually have several restored vintage machines for sale. Because they restored them, they won't drop the price. I'd just ask if they do restorations for others.
Last time I was in San Francisco... there was a magnificent Red Eye for sale, completely restored by a guy in San Jose who wouldn't ship. Had to pick it up & couldn't so didn't get it. That's the type you're looking for to ask about restorations.
Best place to find them is in Craig's list. They usually have several restored vintage machines for sale. Because they restored them, they won't drop the price. I'd just ask if they do restorations for others.
Last time I was in San Francisco... there was a magnificent Red Eye for sale, completely restored by a guy in San Jose who wouldn't ship. Had to pick it up & couldn't so didn't get it. That's the type you're looking for to ask about restorations.
Posted on: 4/16/10 8:35 PM ET
Here are some links to sites with information on cleaning & restoring old machines that I have found very useful
Needlebar
(I can't get a direct link to work, but if you scroll to the bottom of the page & click on NeedleBar Main Site it will take you there, and there is an article on seized machines that may be just the thing you need)
Treadleon
and
Tools for Self Reliance
good luck, and have fun
Helen
Needlebar
(I can't get a direct link to work, but if you scroll to the bottom of the page & click on NeedleBar Main Site it will take you there, and there is an article on seized machines that may be just the thing you need)
Treadleon
and
Tools for Self Reliance
good luck, and have fun
Helen
Posted on: 4/16/10 10:59 PM ET
In reply to Mrs.Moos
to be blunt, I wouldn't bother. Redeyes are pretty easy to come by; for the time and effort it would take, you can find one in good operating condition and decent decal condition for under $50 pretty easily. If it were a less common decal set, I'd say go for it, but for a Redeye? They're pretty but really REALLY common.
Posted on: 4/16/10 11:29 PM ET
I am curious if this machine was electric from the start or that "Made in Japan" motor was a relacement or an add on...
I am tempted to just remove the rust and try toclean it up just to "look at". I could take it in to work--my boss said he would look at it--but I don't want to take it like THAT!
I would like to try and do what I can myself before I take it in. He worked and worked on my 15-91 and then only charged me $7.50 for a part--that was it. So I don't want him to think I am trying to take advantage of his generosity!
I am thinking the bobbin area should come out and I could soak it or steel wool it. But those tension disks
They make me shudder!
The poor thing sat out in a front yard of one of my DH's employees all winter. It was under a tarp but...just imagine if I had got to it before it was set in the front yard!
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I am tempted to just remove the rust and try toclean it up just to "look at". I could take it in to work--my boss said he would look at it--but I don't want to take it like THAT!
I would like to try and do what I can myself before I take it in. He worked and worked on my 15-91 and then only charged me $7.50 for a part--that was it. So I don't want him to think I am trying to take advantage of his generosity!I am thinking the bobbin area should come out and I could soak it or steel wool it. But those tension disks
They make me shudder! The poor thing sat out in a front yard of one of my DH's employees all winter. It was under a tarp but...just imagine if I had got to it before it was set in the front yard!

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Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Janome Coverpro 1000, Babylock BLCS, Juki 654 (2), Babylock Spirit, Juki TL2010q, Brother PE770
Posted on: 4/17/10 8:39 AM ET
In reply to Mrs.Moos
Your machine is rusty but the decals are better than my working red eye. I'd keep it and try to fix it and if that isn't enough to get it working I'd use it as a doorstop in the sewing room!
JT
JT
Posted on: 4/17/10 3:12 PM ET
That puppy is really rusted up. It's going to take some major effort to get it in usable shape, if that's even possible. I predict many new parts before it would function. As for the motor, it's not original, but I don't know of a way to tell if it was originally electric or if the motor was added, converting it from treadle or crank to electric. Even treadle versions of the 66, like mine from my grandmother, can have the mounting boss for the motor.
I hate when a nice machine like that is destroyed by neglect. Whether it's a sewing machine, a car, a motorcycle, whatever.
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I hate when a nice machine like that is destroyed by neglect. Whether it's a sewing machine, a car, a motorcycle, whatever.
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A sewing machine is just a welder for textiles.
Posted on: 4/17/10 4:54 PM ET
You need some Evaporust right away! I get it at Harbor Freight and it works like a miracle on rusted sewing machine parts. For me, I'd take the motor off and make it a hand crank and set it is a flatbed case. It is true that this is a common machine and maybe not worth it but sometimes machines defy rational logic. It might just become beautiful. I did fix one and take it to work. I made on the spot uniform repairs for staff. You'd be surprised how often it was needed! Officially it was "Office Art".
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http://silkmothsewing.blogspot.com/
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