AlZilla

So, pics attached. I think I'm looking at the top and bottom of a part the manual calls a "Revolving Bush" (8573) and it should slide out downwards and I'll need to remove the top pin in the (8675) "Foot Bar" which will come out with it. The Foot Bar is not going to remove vertically up and out of the Revolving Bush I don't think. It looks like I'd need to unpin it and drop it out the bottom. So, Experts, am I looking at this right? Because that Revolving Bush is solid tight in the head casting. My thinking is to let some penetrating oil soak down in there a day or two and tap it with a nylon mallet. Good plan? Thank You!

Wow, thank you for taking the time for such a detailed response. I'll follow your directions exactly. I'm thinking the above parts are entombed in dried gunk. Unfortunately, there's a dearth of videos and exploded views of these old machines. Guys like you are invaluable.

I dragged home an old 29-3 that almost wouldn't turn, having sat for 3 decades. I now have it spinning like a roller coaster and am awaiting a new belt. I have 1 issue left - the rotating presser foot doesn't rotate. There is no thumbscrew above the ears as I think there is supposed to be and I'm confident nothing is broken off in there - I can get a probe in 7/16" and hi res pics don't look like there's anything down there. It wouldn't move at all yesterday. Today after liberal applications of WD40, PB Blaster and whatever else I had on hand, it turns about a 16th of an inch. It does not come up against a hard stop in either direction, but rather a soft stop. I think it's gunked as badly as the back end of the machine was. It looked like a 300,000 mile engine back there and I really think it had been lubed with motor oil. Just thick, black tar-like stuff caked everywhere. So, my question is, does anyone think I'm overlooking anything? I see how the head comes off and I may remove it so I can either soak it or tear it apart. On a lower priority one of the ears is broken off and I'll be looking for a replacement. The one on the left in the pic. I'm angling for the one on the right, too ... Thanks!

I have a couple of inexpensive knives somewhere around here made from 80Crv2 and I just don't like them. There's a sort of granularity/striation/something to the bevel that just won't go away. It runs perpendicular to the edge on both knives. I'd like to try the design, but a different steel.

"Line shaft clutch". Now I at least know what it's called .. It wouldn't move yesterday but an overnight soak in penetrating oil has it moving this morning. I need to find a belt since the existing one doesn't look long for this world. I'm going to keep at it today, getting the internals cleaned out and oiled so I can at least see it spin under it's own power, once I find a belt. The only parts that seem to be missing so far are whatever connects the knee lift to the arm on the back of the machine. Thanks!

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I've been doing a surface clean and it looks not too bad. I see what you're saying about just adding the pulley. Somewhere I had read that the clutch motors can be grabby but I suppose I should see for myself. Upon getting the front cleaned up, I see that it's a 153 (not 155) so I apparently lose a little lift. But for my present purposes, the extra 1/8" matters not. I'll get after the internals next and see what's going on with the sticking foot control. This may be easier then I anticipated I'm pretty excited...

I'm a new leather crafter and have been given an old Singer 111W155, which will require a lot of elbow grease and love. It appears to be mostly complete, if not all there and everything seems to turn and spin by hand. I could use some guidance as I start going through it. What's obvious on initial inspection: The wiring needs to be reworked The foot control is hung up and rusty Belts are going to be an issue No bobbin winder Surface rust on various parts of the machine Serial Number is obliterated I've downloaded manuals, started looking at Youtube videos and I'm reading through posts here of previous newbie owners. The table has a motor attached and what appears to be a spare older motor/clutch setup. The table top will need to be replaced but it's a homebrew setup anyway. My only request at the moment would be can someone give me a general idea of what to look at first, sort of an order of operations to get started? I've read enough to know that the usual recommendation is to slow these things down with a servo motor and I plan on doing that, once it all appears to be in order. Thank you for any assistance forthcoming!

In my limited experience, practice and very, very sharp blades. I try to use the same blade too long and even try stropping it. Also, I use a guide where ever I can. Multiple passes with minimal pressure seem to give me better control.

I like it. Anybody can buy the same old boring tools and dyes that everybody else has and turn out more of the same old stuff. This took thought and creativity. Lucky sister you have!

"Plasti Dip" might work for you. It's a rubberized product to coat tool handles. You could build a few layers and see what works.