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Posted by Mary Fisher on April 13, 2008, 6:37 am
> My mad American friend who lives near Canterbury contacted me the other
> day: Freecycle had a Frister & Rossmann Cub 4 with note that it 'needed a
> new belt' and couldn't be fixed...
>
> Oh, grab it for me, darling! I'll either fix it or we'll part it out on
> one of the groups. So she did.
>
> Then today she rang me in a slight panic: needed to change a broken needle
> on the Toyota overlocker I sold her, and the book was on walkabout... NOT
> surprising, as she'd dragged it in and out the house while living in
> temporary accommodation while her house was fixed after a kitchen fire!
> And there was something not right with the Elna...
>
> OK, so I packed up the Sewing Machine Rescue Kit that I take to school to
> use with the kids, a load of washing to go through her machine while there
> (mine still not here yet!), and Alan trots me down to Canterbury...
>
> We load the washer and put the kettle on. Lets get the priorities right!
> We clean and oil both machines, and put new needles in. The 'not quite
> right' bit of the Elna is that the back flap got slightly busted in all
> the moving, and where it wouldn't change stitches, we had BOTH forgotten
> that to slide the lever over to do the zz and stretch stitches, you have
> to have the needle in just the right position! I remembered this while I
> had the top off for a clean and oil!
>
> We drank tea. We nattered. We let the dog out and back in. We drank
> more tea... We fixed the hems on her trousers so she can wear them to
> church tomorrow... And we took a quick look at the Cub 4, which seemed to
> be working, at least in straight stitch mode...
>
> And then Alan came and took me home again, where we had a closer look at
> the Cub 4...
>
> First problem: straight stitch plate is in the machine, and the screw that
> holds the stitch plate in place is stuck hard. Need more strength, so
> call Alan for help... Ha! For all his moans about the damned thing
> taking up space, he's soon deep inside, helping to clean, oil, and free up
> various bits! The zigzag would neither zig nor zag. When we got the
> covers off, it was obvious that while the machine had been used, it had
> not been used heavily, but it HAD been neglected and abused, rather badly.
> The machine soaked up a great quantity of oil, after which it zigzagged
> and did all its fancy stitches very nicely. The bobbin winder has flats
> ground into the rubber tyre where it too had seized solid: it also has
> marks that someone has tried to free it up using a monkey-wrench, but no
> oil! That too has been oiled and works fine, even if the flat spots do
> mean it buzzes a bit when you wind the bobbins! One of the spool pins
> holders has been broken: luckily the auxiliary one for a second spool for
> double needle work. Alan is going to work on a fix for this, as it's the
> holder and the spring that works the retractableness of it (Look! I
> invented a whole new word! ;) ) that is broken, rather than the pin
> itself.
>
> So, for a couple of hours patience with an oiler and a hubby with stronger
> hands, we have another fully working little machine to play with kids next
> time I'm in school! Alan was impressed with the smoothness and the stitch
> quality of this little machine, and loves that it is fully mechanical,
> solid metal, and tiddly!
>
> And I just have the hook timing to adjust on my F&R Cub 8, and that too
> will be fully working!
>
> The next machine game we play is taking mum's little Singer 117
> Featherweight II up to London for Big Sis to use, and bringing her big 20
> YO Husqvarna down here for a spare/kids use machine...
>
> The list grows...
>
> 1880's Adria Saxonia treadle: working head, but table needs restoration.
> Museum piece - obsolete needle system. Freecycle.
>
> 1909 Jones Family CS hand-crank: fully working, dead smooth... Prezzy from
> friend, found in junk shop!
>
> 1923 Singer 66, Lotus decals: fully working, great to use. Found in junk
> shop in 1976, been with me ever since!
>
> 1934 (? Can't quite remember) Singer 28 hand crank: fully working, bit
> rattly! Gift from a friend - found in MIL's attic while clearing out when
> she died!
>
> 1936 Singer 15-88 treadle: fully working. Gift from a friend.
>
> 1949/58 Singer 99: the FrankenSinger. Fully working electric model. Used
> to belong to Mum: first machine I made a proper garment on!
>
> 1956 Singer Featherweight: gift from the Freecycling mad American! I gave
> her the Elna Lotus TSP.
>
> Late 1950's Novum: straight stitch 15 clone. Works beautifully, but very
> fast!
>
> Late 60's Singer 367: another of the machines from Rita's MIL's attic! Now
> fully working after some TLC.
>
> Early Lotus ZZ: well worn casings, but fully working. Needs a little TLC
> on the plug. I bought this one!
>
> Later 70's Elna Lotus TSP: I bought this a couple of years back. Great
> machine, fully working.
>
> Similar age Frister & Rossmann Cub 4: today's acquisition!
>
> 1982 Frister & Rossman Cub 8: the one I bought instead of a wedding dress!
> Now almost back in service after Alan did a very clever fix to the stitch
> selector...
>
> Early 80's New Home: magically smooth worker with loads of stitches. Gift
> from a fellow sewist who wanted the kids to enjoy it. They love it!
>
> Mid 80's Viscount 2000: excellent fully working machine.
>
> Mid 90's Bernina 1005: fully working after getting a new foot control.
> Another gift for sewing with the kids! They love this one too...
>
> 1999 Husqvarna Lily 550: my main electronic machine.
>
> Huskylock 910 serger: worn needle bar: in retirement!
>
> Brother 1034D serger: my back-up and travel machine. Sweet little worker.
>
> Bernina 1150MDA serger: smooth as olive oil, and a joy to use. Always on
> the sewing bench.
>
> --
I can't bear to snip any of this post!
I gave away a hand cranked Singer to a woman who lives on a barge, through
freecycle, but had no interest in the second.
And I wish I was closer to you so that you could look at Spouse's overlocker
... are you going to Sacrewell?
Mary
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