help from the masters..... Is the machine fixable?

[Northmount]

@MattiJoy2 Merged your posts into a single thread.  Let's keep related items together instead of starting a new thread and asking similar questions.

[GerryR]

I'm a little late to the party, but here is my $.02  If everything runs freely, the casting can be brazed, or if just a hairline crack, silver soldered; I wouldn't weld it.

[Tigweldor]

Problem with silver soldering is that the crack would have to be "clinically" clean - if the machine was painted after it cracked or oxides have meanwhile formed in the crack - the results will be at best mediocre.

Otherwise the tensile strength of a sound silver solder joint will surpass that of the cast iron of the machine.

I would also definitely NOT pay 500$US for a sewing machine that has a cracked housing - I would not even go back to that guy/shop for future business cause in my eyes he quoted a "sucker price" to a standing repeat customer.

 

Just my opinion on the matter, though.

Edited March 26 by Tigweldor

[MattiJoy2]

Thank you everyone for your help. I was so desperate I put multiple questions on the board not knowing how active you are on this site. I had paid so much trying to repair a vintage 111w155 which became a money pit with barely any sew time. I took your advice, sold it and purchased a refurbished Juki LS1245 cylinder arm. I have been happily sewing ever since. Sorry for not replying sooner. I am so grateful for the advice I got on here and realized though I am near a large city, finding a reputable industrial sewing machine repair man is not that easy. Seems like you really need to master the skill yourself on your own machine to fix all the previous misalignments. Way out of my wheelhouse. Problem solved, excellent advice, thank you! 

[Frodo]

On 3/25/2025 at 7:35 PM, Tigweldor said:

Problem with silver soldering is that the crack would have to be "clinically" clean - if the machine was painted after it cracked or oxides have meanwhile formed in the crack - the results will be at best mediocre.

Otherwise the tensile strength of a sound silver solder joint will surpass that of the cast iron of the machine.

I would also definitely NOT pay 500$US for a sewing machine that has a cracked housing - I would not even go back to that guy/shop for future business cause in my eyes he quoted a "sucker price" to a standing repeat customer.

 

Just my opinion on the matter, though.

I agree with tig

offer the Dude $100.00 cash

be prepared to walk out

[FDC]

I've repaired cracked and broken cast iron and it's not magic. If this machine ran as is I would consider it. I'd have recommended TIG welding with cast rod - your BF would have no problem with that.

I've taken a flier on three rough leather machines and while each one required pretty serious time to restore them they all work as new. But if actual leather working is your thing, machine restoration isn't leatherworking! 

 

Chris