Antique Sewing Machine Repair.

Antique Sewing Machine Repair has two basic parts. 

First, Antique Sewing Machine Repair involves maintanence.  The mechanical parts of the sewing machine must work properly.

Second, Antique Sewing Machine  involves refurbishing.  The cosmetic looks of the antique sewing machine are very important.

Antique Sewing Machine Repair is repair of mechanical sewing machines. 

These machines predate the modern computerized sewing machines.  They predate the electronic control systems.  They predate pulse motors.  They predate circuit boards. They predate integrated circuits.  These antique  sewing machines use wheels, levers, and gears to sew. 

The drive mechanism may be a hand crank.  It may be a treadle system.  It may be an early electrified AC motor drive.  

The antique sewing machines often use foot or hand power. The drive system turns an upper shaft.  The shaft runs from the hand wheel to the needle bar.  The hand wheel is on the far right of the sewing machine.  The shaft turns the needle bar.  The needle bar assembly is on the far left of the sewing machine.  This upper shaft moves the needle bar up and down.

The upper shaft also uses a lever or belt system.  It transfers the power down to the lower sewing machine shaft.  The lever or belt turns the lower shaft.  This movement must be timed. It must work perfectly with  the upper shaft.  The lower shaft turns.  This causes the hook and feed dogs to turn in time with the needle bar.

Antique Sewing Machine Repair requires maintenance.  The same basic services are used as other mechanical sewing machine.  Antique Sewing Machine Repair maintains good mechanical operations.  

Antique Sewing Machine Repair requires overcoming the ravages of age.  Avoid exposure to weather. Avoid exposure to rust.  Avoid exposure to decay.  Lubricate and maintain the  antique sewing machine.   

The sewing machine must be clean.  Clear away the lint.  Clear away the debris.  Clear away old oils.  Clear away crystallized grease.  Properly lubricate antique sewing machines.  Dissolve Rust deposits on the inside and out.  Brush away rust.  Maintain a smooth operating machine.   Properly set Tensions. Properly set Hook needle timing.  Properly set Feed dog timing.  

The way the antique sewing machine looks is vital.  Every effort must be made to preserve the looks of  the antique sewing machine.  This is a major part of Antique Sewing Machine Repair. 

Antique Sewing Machine Repair  requires specialized knowledge.  Antique Sewing Machine Repair  requires special techniques.    

Many of today's  chemicals cannot be used.  Antique Sewing Machine Repair takes special care.   Many of today's techniques cannot be used in Antique Sewing Machine Repair.  Antique sewing machine repair requires special care mechanically and aesthetically.

For example, the sewing machine technician cleans the outside of most sewing machine.  He uses household cleaners like 401 and Windex. 

In Antique Sewing Machine Repair these cleaners interact with the enamel paint.  They destroy  the antique finish.  

Many of the antiques have gold or silver leaf decoration on the machine.   The combination of the enameled paint and decorative leaf are vulnerable to the modern chemical cleaners.  

An amateur sewing machine mechanic, may unknowingly ruin the finish.  It only takes seconds to apply destructive chemicals.   It only takes seconds to destroy antique surfaces.  

The Antique Sewing Machine Repair person understands.  He knows how to clean the antique sewing machine without destroying the surfaces. 

Some technicians may even apply new decorative leaf. 

There is some debate of this practice.  Some want the greatest beauty possible.

Others believe antiques retain their highest value when unaltered. Adding decorative leaf or repainting the surface some say degrades the value of the antique.  Usually, the goal of the Antique Sewing Machine Repair Technician is to refresh the machine without altering its original character.  

Among the best cleansers is pure clean sewing machine oil.  Use the oil to clean the enamel painted cast iron.  Oil  cleanses and refreshes the sewing machine.   This is the same oil used to lubricate sewing machines.

Antique Sewing Machine Repair often means dealing with rust or pitting.  The decay must be stopped.   

This may involve using other special chemicals.  The experienced Antique Sewing Machine Repair man will know what to use.  This may involve smoothing with steel wool or brush.  This may involve special enamel paints to compliment the original finish of the machine.

Antique Sewing Machine Repair.