|
Posted by IMS on October 25, 2005, 7:00 am
n Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:24:01 -0700, in alt.sewing you wrote:
>oregoncarver wrote:
>> This past summer I got interested in old sewing machines, bought
>> several at garage sales, cleaned/oiled/serviced them & got them all
>> running. They are stored in my unheated garage & I am concerned about
>> them possibly rusting or being damaged this winter. I live on the
>> Oregon cost where it rains a lot, has high hummidity & sometimes water
>> comes in under the closed garage doors adding to the hummidity in the
>> garage. Can anyone give me any suggestions to protect these machines
>> through this winter?
>> Thanks for your help,
>> Dick
>>=20
>Maybe Ron or someone else will chime in here, but I would say lots and=20
>lots of oil - on any exposed metal, inside or out. Cover the machine,=20
>but not with anything that would block air - no plastics or vinyl, for=20
>instance. A nice soft cloth, just to keep the dust from sticking to all=
=20
>that oil. Never set the machine down on a concrete or dirt surface, but=
=20
>keep it elevated and let air circulate. The machine itself can take the=
=20
>cold and heat, but not the dampness. The cabinet, if you have one, is=20
>apt to be pickier.
>
>I think that Vaseline on some surfaces would be good - you can wipe it=20
>off before you use the machine. I know it's good for the gears inside -=
=20
>either Vaseline or Singer lube, or a fine automotive grease. It won't=20
>hurt the paint, either.
But what about the parts deep inside that you can't get oil to? Those
will indeed rust; and it's not the temperature or the water on the
floor, but the humidity that will cause this. Humidity is very bad for
a sewing machine.
Some machines have components other than metal (such as plastic,
electrical wiring, or rubber) which may not hold up well to being
saturated in oil or being in a damp, freezing garage. Motors come to
mind.
Given the condition of the machines I've gotten that were stored in a
damp area (barns, basements) I'd say the best solution is not to store
them in there at all. =20
-Irene
--------------
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20
--Mae West=20
--------------
| 
Yahoo! 
Google 
Windows Live 
del.icio.us 
digg 
Netscape 
XML Sitemap