The Sewing Place

Poor 319k (Minty fresh)

Roger

Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« on: November 26, 2017, 22:47:30 PM »
I got a very cheap 319k it’s in largely great condition, except that it must have been stored somewhere damp... I thought it just didn’t have a wooden base on the final purchase I got given the case and it was basically the rotted parts and rather sad lid. The machine itself is great lovely green, a few small patches of rust and a corroded area in the middle of the bed... fortunately the belt is fine

But it’s completely jammed.... I’ve oiled it and cleaned it, it’s not the easiest machine to get access to the workings on. I’m now sitting it in the warm heavily oiled and leaving it be.

Any ideas how the bobbin area worm gear works or can be opened? I suspect there is a multitude of stuck places. Any ideas?

Thank you!
« Last Edit: November 26, 2017, 22:59:07 PM by Roger »
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

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Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2017, 00:38:18 AM »
Lucky you, it's a nice machine. This model is best to oil sparingly and carefully because of the riveted drive belt, at least the service manual points this out. The gear near the race and hook is to be accessed behind a lid which comes off with two screws. If it's very dry and grimy I would start with oil to dissolve and clean out the mess. I guess the frozen part could be any where so keep on checking for oil points and consult the manual. The service manual can be found on the Yahoo Singer Library. For the 319 it starts on page 103 in part 3 page. I guess oiling generously every where except above the area where the riveted belt runs is the way to go on a mache frozen solid. You are doing it just right, keep it on a table in a heated room and wiggle it every now and then.

Roger

Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2017, 07:42:13 AM »
Thanks Arrow!
There was an interesting piece of advice on the vintage singers group last night, if the balance wheel has some give in it then an outlying part has probably seized if there’s no give (like this machine) then it’s probably the main shaft. To which it was recommended to use a penetrating oil, like KrOil... but that’s a US product and 60 quid on amazon.... I ordered a new WD40 product which is a rust breaking penetrating oil spray... seems to be getting excellent reviews on Amazon figure it has to be worth a go... I just have to not damage the belt.
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Roger

Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2017, 21:24:59 PM »
This new WD40 product is good! after oiling and warming for a week i had nothing in the way of give still, I sprayed it with the WD40 penetrating spray, and left it for an hour and there was a little movement, reapplied it, left it 1/2 an hour and it came free and manages 1/2 a circuit! but is very stiff and get stuck at the uptakes highest point and refuses to go further...

The spray has a new design too with a built in precision tube the makes squirting it into oil holes dead easy!
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

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Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2017, 22:30:56 PM »
Interesting, I have to buy a can and try it out. You probably have to keep on applying more of the stuff, but sometimes there can be threads, the tip of a broken needle, a pin or something stuck some where. Inspecting, wiggeling, shaking, having the machine on the side, up side down, and yet more wiggeling of the hand wheel can sometimes give results. I know it's not easy with heavy lumps of metal like the 319, but within doable.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2017, 22:51:23 PM by arrow »

Roger

Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2017, 22:58:46 PM »
Just retested it and its now doing full revolutions, very stiffly! in 3.5 hours, its gone from seized to rotating. It hasnt damaged the paint and is apparently kind to plastics and rubbers.

in case anyones wondering its: WD-40 Specialist Fast Release Penetrant (sounds like an unfortunate medical condition ;)  )

Certainly seems to do the trick!
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Roger

Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #6 on: December 02, 2017, 01:17:36 AM »
Just gave it another test and it’s rotating much easier... almost smoothly! Amazing!
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

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Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #7 on: December 02, 2017, 01:38:36 AM »
Good news! I'm sure it will come around with a bit of test stitching and more of the new WD 40 stuff. Spray can stuff speeds things up, they are super thin and seeps in everywhere, literally upwards some times. I suspect the new version you have found have some effective rust or grime solvents. Winter green ? Metylsalicylat?

Roger

Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #8 on: December 02, 2017, 22:42:03 PM »
24 hours later it moves so freely that you would never know it was seized! Amazing!

It contains a lot of alkanes and hydrocarbons... none I’m familiar with! But it really does speed up the process.

I’m impressed with that.
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Roger

Re: Poor 319k (Minty fresh)
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2017, 23:01:32 PM »
Tonight was oiling night! I used finish line oil and grease. It still has a couple of points where it hangs. But a turn or two backwards and it turns fine, so I reassembled it checked the cables and ran power through it (with a circuit breaker) and my goodness it’s smooth and quiet!

I’m very surprised and impressed. Front dial is very stiff and the screws on it too.
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132