Would Appreciate Your Advise On Restoring This Singer 45K25

[Evo160K]

Recently I purchased a 45K25. That in itself isn't unusual. What is a bit unusual is I know next to nothing about sewing or sewing machines, I just seem to have become attracted to them in my later years. With that in mind, I would greatly appreciate any advise or guidance you care to offer.

The machine was manufactured February 12, 1940, in Clydebank, Scotland, according to Singer. The serial number is EC 636333. It has an additional plate riveted on the face, below the class/subclass number, marked "A 222", no one so far knows why. I'm extremely pleased to have the machine and would like to restore it properly, but within reason. I don't think it would be prudent to invest more in it than it's worth; I learned quickly that's easy to do. Here are a few pics.

The machine seems to be fairly tight, there is 2 mm of free circular movement at the shuttle end, 1 mm each way without the flywheel moving. With the help of a couple of fine people here on LW, the machine was sewing (note I said was). Here's a sample in 9 oz. veg tanned, I think.

So the question is, what would you advise doing to this attractive 74 year old machine? Thank you, thank you very much.

Edit: You'll recall I said it "was" sewing. I'll discuss that in another topic titled Singer not feeding.

[Constabulary]

Personal opinion - I´d paint it and put new decals on it

[jimi]

Hi There, this is the only manual i have seen for this class of machine on the net.

45Kmanual.pdf

[Evo160K]

Jimi,

Thank you, that's an excellent manual, very helpful. If you ever come across the service/mechanics manual, would you please let me know? What do I owe you for this one?

Regards,

[jimi]

No Problem Evo, here is another interesting one, although it is not your exact machine it is still interesting. as for the service/mechanics manual??? you cannot even find a normal original printed user manual for these machines!. i would get it sewing well before restoring. sil10-160.pdf

Edited November 19, 2014 by jimi

[Evo160K]

Jimi, that's one incredible machine, amazing features........independently controlled upper and lower feed plus other features, just amazing. Thanks for sharing. Do you know someone who has one?

[jimi]

Sorry,No i dont, i have 3 45´s a k21,k99sv and k1 i think because it has no plate. but they are just regular ones like yours. i left a comment on your other question about the machine not sewing. if you need any pictures just say.

[Evo160K]

Jimi,

When you thread the tension piece on the faceplate of your 45K25, do you wrap the thread completely around the pulley wheel? Thank you Jimi.

[jimi]

Yes, that would be one and a half times around.

[jimi]

Here is an idea if you needed a flat surface for sewing. If you look on the bottom of the page with the description of the 45ks it says that work plates were supplied at extra cost. they have the nº 91261-45k48 stamped on the underside. they were cast iron but you could even make a wooden one, only thing you would need is the screw to hold it on with. it is the same screw that holds the wax pot on which i see you dont have present. also your balance wheel is on back to front??

Edited November 21, 2014 by jimi

[Evo160K]

Jimi, thanks for the information, I hope it's the last piece of the threading puzzle. Thank you also for the plate information, I'll keep my eyes open for one.

That is one beautiful machine you have, just beautiful. Did you find it with the treadle stand and work plate? Was the machine in that condition?

Are the decals original or replacements? I'm looking for the bobbin winder, wax pot and decals to complete mine. I like it Jimi, really nice. Thanks again.

[Constabulary]

You can get decals on Ebay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2051337.m570.l1313.TR5.TRC2.A0.H0.Xsinger+decals&_nkw=singer+decals&_sacat=13956

I have used this set for My 133K

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Singer-Model-31-Commercial-Sewing-Machine-Restoration-Decals-/381061539029?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58b909a4d5

But it appears to be a bit too bold and a bit too high but thats the closest you can get, I think.

The ones for the bentwood case are the right size but due to the black border they appear too narrow when applied.

I even have original decals form the Singer factory in Germany (disassembled by the Russians in 1945) but they are no longer working very well. So I do not use them. They are a bit flaky.

@ Jimi

haven´t you bought the flat bed attachment from me on Ebay - I remember I have sent mine to Spain.

I still have the picture of your machines you sent me - I really like them! If you don´t mind please post them here.

There are for sure some "old cast iron lovers" who like to see them.

[Colt W Knight]

You can also make your own decals utilizing Waterslide Decal paper

Here is tutorial I did for a guitar forum

If you paint the machine black, when you apply a decal like this, only the metalic color will show because the outline will disappear.

Since we brought this post back from the dead, I thought I would repost this deal I posted in one of my threads


Forum member JBennett designed me an awesome logo, and emailed me the picture.

I open that picture in Paint, and add whatever I want, like a name.



Then I copy that image into Microsoft WORD, inverse the image, and fill up the paper with replications.


Then I print off the decal.



Color in the middle with silver metallic. I used Testors Enamel Silver.



Then I cut around the perimeter of the decal, so I have less clear decal on the headstock.



I mix a little elmers glue into warm water.


I get everything ready, the application process goes quickly.



My application process.

1. Make sure the headstock is finished and sanded smooth.
2. Dunk the decal in the warm water - 20-45 seconds
3. Place the decal where I want it on the headstock.
4. Lightly squegee air from under the decal. From the center out.
5. Carefully slide the backing off.
6. Refract the neck in the light to look for imperfections.
*. If there are air bubbles or the decal is slightly off, I dunk my finger in the water, and squeegee the decal. from the center to the outside.
7. Daub the decal dry with the paper towel. center to the outside.
8. Dunk my finger in white vinegar. rub it on the decal lightly. from center to outside.
9. repeat the paper towel step.
10. Allow to dry for a day or two.
11. Bury in lacquer.

aG2YvHgqERk

Edited November 22, 2014 by Colt W Knight

[jimi]

Oh so i bought the work plate from you foker lol! Evo, yes the machine came in this condition and with the treadle included, it only needed to be threaded and oiled. and the decals are original. if you look up the documentery called "the birth of a sewing machine" it is taken in the singer factory in killbowie and at one point you see how they were put on the machines and at another point you see them being made in sheets. that looks like gold leaf they were made of, looks similar to the way you would book bind with gold leaf, stamped/pressed? maybe constabulary can give us a little info on his flaky ones lol? are they made of gold leaf folker?? Good luck with finding the oil box and bobbin winder Evo, remember to get all the screws that go with them if you can. if you are handy with your tools you can make these parts up. i ended up making 5 plates and 3 feed dogs up from some steel plate. for your machine you need to get someone to curve it. i looked for some 6mm steel pipe with the aprox radius then got them to bend the thinner plate over this and made up the plates i needed. first thing is to square up your plate and get your two screw holes in the right place, screw it on and then put in a new needle and mark your needle hole. for your feed dog opening you can either use your old plate or scale up a picture from a parts manual. these were drawn to scale and are good for references (i dont think they are exact). http://dixiesewingmachine.tzo.com/MANUALS/SINGERPARTS2/45K21,%2045K25,%2045K63,%20&%2045K78.pdf.

if your feed dog is original then i would try to file the teeth nearly to a point again, remember you need a good file as they were hardened. the hardest part was the feed dog as this needs to be grinded little by little and the screw hole needs to be milled flat bottom not with a bevel like with a normal drill. i done mine with a small 9mm milling bit in the drill, first with the 9-10mm hss drill then with the milling bit. you can do this in your pillar drill. the two holes on the plate need to be finished the same. otherwise if you find the same thread type on other screws with the bevel head then just change them. Drill out the bulk then fine adjust with a file. here are a coulpe of examles:

[jimi]

the alternative swing fence was made from the measurements of the drawing. the needle plate and feed dog were also made for the right toe foot which came with the machine.

look for these screws if you are looking for your oil box:

Edited November 22, 2014 by jimi

[jimi]

Evo, you can see the process for the restoration of the pfaff in the last two pictures in another topic called "journey to the unknown".

45k21 is from 1950 the 45ksv99 is from 1962 and the 45k1 i think as it has no plate is from 1895 (and still sews!!)

[Constabulary]

Jimi - I wish I had your skills + tools for making these things - very impressive!

Because of the original decals I have - I have once posted them in this thread:

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=53584&p=342876

So I really think they are no longer usable. But maybe I just have not the right technique.

[jimi]

The 18-2 across the arm singer was just cleaned,oiled and a needle bar,feed dog, shuttle and needle plate replaced. to liven up the dull paint i use shelack with a cloth, just like french polishing an old piece of furniture but you need to move fast with the cloth!! this is from 1917 and has its original decals.

This next one was left out in the rain to rust and was saved. it was stripped down and cleaned and polished. it is a 17-10 up the arm singer and it has all of its original parts to it i would think. the reason i say this is because there are two similarities to this machine and the old 45k1 on the floor. this 17-10 is from 1894 and the 45k from 1895 and looking closely at the parts you can notice that they are not finished like the latter models, they seem to be finished off roughly and maybe not squared up exactly. i managed to save some pictures of this restoration:

After it was cleaned and put together the only thing missing was the needle clamp, nothing else was needed. so i made that and put a needle in and it did not skip a stitch!!

[Constabulary]

AWESOME - seem there are some more "old cast iron lovers" out there

[jimi]

Very cool decals foker. did you see "the birth of a sewing machine" above mentioned?? looks like they possibly wet the area before putting on the decal then wet the paper again once on?? with hot water. as for letting it dry? maybe. personally i dont think they would be unusable. thanks for the comments, i only used a drill,file and a grinder and for the curve of the arm i put the milling bit in the router i use for wood!, i had them bent in a machine/press. iam sure there is pipe of this diameter and thickness also somewhere around. iam sure Evo can rustle up some parts for his machine too.

just cleaned and oiled again, and a couple of months latter i was lucky to find a box of needles for this 46k49 fur sewing machine on ebay. they have the long channels on both sides of the needle. nº 215x15 if i remeber. this machine does a chain stitch and is used for joining fur pieces or sewing gloves, Hats and the like i think. the only thing that was wrong with this is was the needle bar was slightly bent so it was straightened and now works again.

[jimi]

Evo this is the machine that was fully restored, the pfaff not the frobana. thanks again to folker for being able to aquire the tension unit.

The frobana is for sewing soles on shoes or sandals etc..

[Constabulary]

Jimi - I´m starting to hate you because of your machines - just like Singermania - I don´t like both of you ***just kidding***

Are you making shoes?

[jimi]

We are going to make some sandals first. we made sandals about 20yrs ago by hand but now its the machines turn to do the stitching lol. first i need to know a little the machine, then shoes?? who knows?

[Constabulary]

It´s nice to these these vintage machines alive! Your 335 REALLY tuned out nice - congratulations.

[jimi]

Thanks, youll hate me even more if i told you i got that original pfaff light on ebay for 14€