Today's Project
Getting the sewing machine ready for use! Here it is (bobbin plate is missing because the bobbin, race, and shuttle were out for cleaning and oiling when I took the picture):
I had ACTUALLY intended to use it for my project today, but prepping it turned out to take a LOT longer than I expected; not because of the cleaning and oiling...but because the motor was sparking and smoking a bit. After doing more research online (because the manuals didn't cover this) and because I know its been sitting for a few years at least, its probably because of dust and carbon buildup, so I did this. For a person who's not used to working with motors, watching the sparking and smoking and burning while running it at full and near-full throttle was kind of nerve wracking. No huge flames or huge amounts of smoke, tho I did open the sliding door just in case and because I think it was aggravating my scratchy throat from the headcold I haven't shaken yet. I stopped it when it seemed to get a little too much, but it seemed to work, as the sparking became less and less. But I think I'll do it a few more times to be sure, probably tomorrow. And/or I may pull the sucker off, open it up, and check the cleanliness and state of the wiring, etc. If the motor looks too bad, its good that I planned to get a hand crank for conversion anyway. Will just postpone my project, which I kind of intended for Christmas decoration.
Dang, glad I stocked up on cough medicine before I left Metaline Falls, 'cause I have like $13 left for the rest of the month after I go get the comic I ordered, and because I bought stuff to sew and got just enough gas to get to and from the parents' on Thanksgiving. Thank you Lord! :)
--Moony
I had ACTUALLY intended to use it for my project today, but prepping it turned out to take a LOT longer than I expected; not because of the cleaning and oiling...but because the motor was sparking and smoking a bit. After doing more research online (because the manuals didn't cover this) and because I know its been sitting for a few years at least, its probably because of dust and carbon buildup, so I did this. For a person who's not used to working with motors, watching the sparking and smoking and burning while running it at full and near-full throttle was kind of nerve wracking. No huge flames or huge amounts of smoke, tho I did open the sliding door just in case and because I think it was aggravating my scratchy throat from the headcold I haven't shaken yet. I stopped it when it seemed to get a little too much, but it seemed to work, as the sparking became less and less. But I think I'll do it a few more times to be sure, probably tomorrow. And/or I may pull the sucker off, open it up, and check the cleanliness and state of the wiring, etc. If the motor looks too bad, its good that I planned to get a hand crank for conversion anyway. Will just postpone my project, which I kind of intended for Christmas decoration.
Dang, glad I stocked up on cough medicine before I left Metaline Falls, 'cause I have like $13 left for the rest of the month after I go get the comic I ordered, and because I bought stuff to sew and got just enough gas to get to and from the parents' on Thanksgiving. Thank you Lord! :)
--Moony