Vintage Singer Sewing Machines like to be oiled and run smoother if you do this on a regular basis. The rules are you MUST use sewing machine oil (not like my niece suggested, vegetable oil!!!, she has a white featherweight which she got for Christmas from her mum, might have to take if off her is she doesn't behave herself!).
For those who are interested, I have put the Simanco (which stands for Singer Manufacturing Company) part numbers under each style of vintage can.
I first used a new Singer own make bottle but it is a bit messy to use and tricky just to put the one drop in the oiling holes. The handbooks show you where to oil.
So I bought a vintage oil can which drops one drop when you press the bottom. It is tiny, very easy to use but it leaked (cos its old). The spout screws off so that it can be refilled.
Finally got these two shiny ones, these don't leak. One is marked Singer the other isn't.
36569 - Tin Plate oil can with detachable spout for refilling
This design was made for years, the bentwood case on my Singer 28, the fake croc skin case for the 201 and the 201K table all have a special clip for it to sit on.
Then I found this one on eBay, so cute but its empty. The cap screws off but the spout doesn't so can't figure out a way of refilling it
120862 1 1/3 FL OZ Oval Oil can with lead screw cap
There is a clip in the Featherweight carry case which this fits in perfectly.
Found this larger can on eBay which has the added bonus of being nearly full.
120862 - 3 FL OZ Oval Oil with lead screw cap
My Singer 201K in the table came with an oil tube but as it has a clip for the little oil can don't think that this oil tube is original to the machine. The other was in a box of attachments that I got of eBay.
161609 - Oil Tube
Finally, this larger tin. Perhaps it was from a Singer shop, there is a dinky funnel that neatly sits upside down in the top of the can and the lid holds it in place for storage. They probably filled the neat little cans from this one. This is my latest purchase. Couldn't find a Simanco part number for this one.
Quite a little collection going on, might have to stop now but there is one more style to get!
Getting excited over oil cans, not sure if I am right in the head.
Footnote: There is a tube of Lubricant for Electric Motors 161609. This is the original tube from my 1957 Featherweight. This is for using on the electric motor, there are little tubes on the motor that you fill with this. You can buy new lube for your motors but if you have the old stuff, it will still work. If your motor (as in the White Featherweights) doesn't have lube tubes then they don't need it. The handbooks explain where they are. NEVER EVER USE MACHINE OIL ON THE ELECTRIC MOTOR IT WILL BREAK IT.
Cheers
Sharon
How can oil cans look so cute? I love them too :)
ReplyDeleteHow can oil cans look so cute? I love them too :)
ReplyDeleteA short video of my wife's Singer Oil Can Collection. https://www.facebook.com/brian.lince.5/videos/vb.1301863881/10214907003290887/?type=3
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection, thank you for sharing. I have added to mine will have to update the blog post.
ReplyDeleteHave you figured out a way to refill the green oil cans? I want to but the spout appears to be crimped on. I thought about immersing them in a small bucket of oil and gently squeezing and releasing over and over to suck oil into the can. But that is going to require buying a LOT of sewing machine oil. I hate the new plastic bottles and I want to use the green cans. Singer model 27 from 1898. Currently working on broken veneer
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't find a way of filling them. I use the little round cans as they can be refilled. I agree the plastic ones are useless. I was given a 222k with a plastic bottle that had leaked over the manual which was such a shame
DeleteHi! Thank You sharing. I have a few of those oilers. They don't work well, they are old and well used. But I had to mention I haven't seen another doily like mine till now! I have two a large and a smaller one. The center isn't exactly the same but the flowers are alike. I love them! Just had to share.
ReplyDeleteI have a set of three doilies, 2 small and one larger. They were my aunt's. She was married around the time of WW2 so I am presuming they are from that sort of era judging from the colours. I love them too.
Delete