Iron Lady, Day Three: Comparisons

Tuesday afternoon I had a chance to spend a couple hours working on cleaning the machine head.  I've put together the before/after pictures as best I could.  I would like to think I'm a better artist than I am a photographer since I didn't match up my before/after shots very well.

The face-plate on the machine is very pretty.  I could have scrubbed some more, but figured I had gotten the worst of it off.  At least the screw heads are clean.

I didn't get as much of the old, dry and caked oil off the tension disks as some other areas, but they are clean on the inside.  I think it looks much better, though.

I was really surprised to see how much nicer the decals look in the after picture.  Sure shined up that cover plate, but the decals are really showing now.

I didn't get all of the rust off of the hand-wheel, but I managed to get most of it.  Such a pretty little thing, isn't she?

I didn't get every bit off the underside, but I did spend some time cleaning up the worst of it.  I was really lucky to find a machine where everything moved, so I'm not going to complain about a little dried oil that doesn't affect operation.

This picture is a little weird, since I took one from each side of the machine.  I'm just happy I didn't damage the decals in my cleaning.  This is the decal in the center of the machine bed.

I realized, after some cleaning, that I had read the serial number incorrectly.  It doesn't change her age or place of birth, but it is nice to know I have the right number written down in my records.

I thought this one of the stitch-length adjustment screw and the bobbin winder was the most dramatic.  Surface rust removed and everything oiled up.  I am overly excited about seeing a bobbin wound on this machine.  Silly, but I'm still excited.

All that remains is to set her back in the cabinet, attach the belt and do some test sewing.  Since I moved every adjustment screw all the way out and all the way in while cleaning and oiling, I'm sure it will take me a little while to get her stitching predictably.

My references for this project include:

The Treadle Lady
Web:  http://treadlelady.com
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TreadleLady

Our Handmade Home
Blog:  http://our-handmade-home.blogspot.com/p/singer-sewing-machine.html

Granny Miller:  A Journal of Agrarian Life & Skills
Blog:  http://www.granny-miller.com/

A-1 Sewing Machine Specialists
Singer No. 66 Manual:  http://www.a1sewingmachine.com/manuals/66.pdf

I am not an expert at refinishing.  I am not an expert and sewing machine care or maintenance.  I am a quilter, sewer and sewing machine enthusiast.  My goal is a working treadle sewing machine.

Iron Lady Day One - Cleaning up the cabinet and base

Iron Lady Day Two - The before pictures.

Iron Lady Day Three - Comparisons