Members ndnchf Posted March 26, 2017 Members Report Posted March 26, 2017 A while back I picked up a nice Singer 31-15 dating to September of 1945. I cleaned and oiled it, and it runs well. I have the instruction manual for it, but it's says nothing about the clutch motor. The motor runs well and the clutch works smoothly. There are 2 grease zirks on it that appear to be for the clutch linkage pivots. I'm wondering if there is any other service the motor needs? Was there a separate instruction or service manual for the clutch motor? I know that over the years several different clutch motors were used. Here is mine. I know servo motors are a popular upgrade. I may go that route eventually, but i'd like to spend some time with the clutch motor first, before making a decision to upgrade. Thanks Steve Quote
Members dikman Posted March 26, 2017 Members Report Posted March 26, 2017 First thing, motors that old can be dangerous once you start moving them around and/or messing with them. The wiring insulation was generally a rubber compound which, over time, becomes hard and brittle, and when it's moved the insulation breaks and falls off. The switch box may have a large capacitor in it (mine has) for starting the motor and these can also dry out and make the motor difficult to start. I recently bought a 111W117, which came with an old Singer motor (different to yours), I didn't hesitate in junking it. As for servicing, if it's been greased and still spins ok then the only other thing that might be an issue is if the clutch faces need cleaning. If yours is working ok then my advice is don't touch the motor! The servo is a no-brainer, particularly if you want to do leatherwork. Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
Members brmax Posted March 26, 2017 Members Report Posted March 26, 2017 The motor looks in good condition from the photo. I agree the wiring can age out and i my opinion think much of this is just the makeup of the wire coating not so much heat cycles though a concern on all circuts. So i would seriously consider what type wires are in the flexible metal conduit. If its can help maybe. I use a hot knife many times at machines. With that and a concrete floor i have installed one of the metal "handy" electrical box on my machine k stands securely. The idea is to benefit using a gfci recepticle and i use the deep double size box as the main input junction. I only mention this as the system there in the photo should have a seperate ground wire added just because that was the next newest update in them days. Im just getting to old for the jolt these day i only want that from the coffee. Good day there Floyd Quote
Members Constabulary Posted March 26, 2017 Members Report Posted March 26, 2017 From the historical aspect - wow - what a nice old motor. I love these old "devices". Form the technical aspect - get rid of it - I personally would not use a motor of this age. If you want to use it in a business I´d have it checked by someone professional who gives you an "okay" for it - otherwise I would not use it. Better buy a new servo motor. Yes - a modern servo is "ugly" and does not match a vintage sewing machine setup but your security (or security of employees or family members) should be first priority. Quote ~ Keep "OLD CAST IRON" alive - it´s worth it ~ Machines in use: - Singer 111G156 - Singer 307G2 - Singer 29K71 - Singer 212G141 - Singer 45D91 - Singer 132K6 - Singer 108W20 - Singer 51WSV2 - Singer 143W2
Members ndnchf Posted March 26, 2017 Author Members Report Posted March 26, 2017 Thanks for the replies. Very good point about the wiring. I've restored other old machines and understand. I removed the motor wire connection cover and the switch box cover to look at the wiring. The wiring looks to be in original, but still very good condition. No signs of rubber crumbling or significant deterioration. Just dusty and dirty. The main power cord looks very good too, no visible breakdown. This machine seems like a real time capsule. The story I got was that it was brought back from Europe after the war and sat in a man's house until last year when he went into a nursing home. I got it from his daughter. It appears to have been used very little and kept in a climate controlled environment. It will only be used by me for occasional projects, no serious work. Here are a couple more photos. Quote
mikesc Posted March 26, 2017 Report Posted March 26, 2017 (edited) What Constabulary said ..lose the current* motor ( you'll live longer that way ) get a servo motor.. *sorry , couldn't resist**.. **sorry again.. When these kind of "original" motors get ready to let the "magic blue smoke" out, they can be dangerous enough to let your own "magic blue smoke out".. You want to keep the original motor..mount it on a block of wood and use it for a door stop.. ps...cute engine poking it's head up there..:) Edited March 26, 2017 by mikesc Quote "Don't you know that women are the only works of Art" .. ( Don Henley and "some French painter in a field" )
Members dikman Posted March 26, 2017 Members Report Posted March 26, 2017 Nice puns, Mike . ndnchf, it's good that you understand what we're talking about re- the motor. Many people don't realise how potentially dangerous they are. I still have an old Singer clutch motor (first one I got, and mine's bigger than yours ). I'm reluctant to get rid of it because, like you and Constabulary, I reckon it's a wonderful old piece of machinery - but I'll never use it and don't really know what I'll do with it. At least yours has the braided covering on the wires so there's a good chance that the wiring is safe - for now - but I notice in the second photo that it has joiners on the ends of the wires that are wrapped in the old cloth "insulation" tape. That stuff is also not good. Having said that, as long as you don't touch or move the wires it might be ok - for a while. Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
Members Chayse Posted March 26, 2017 Members Report Posted March 26, 2017 Here is my .02.....if you want to keep the old time look, at least do a re-wire...bring it up-to-date. You can still keep the motor, but for safety sake, just update the wiring to what we use today. There is nothing wrong with using the old motor...I have a period-age motor on my 1938 Atlas Drill Press....but I did use new wire for the motor..I was able to keep the 'look' of a vintage machine without losing sleep if you happen to leave it plugged in by mistake. V/r, Chayse Quote
Members dikman Posted March 26, 2017 Members Report Posted March 26, 2017 Be careful, it doesn't always work like that. I had a blower for my forge that was a beautiful old Italian unit (was used for circulating air in old radio communication cabinets) and one day i turned it on and saw a couple of sparks come from it, but it still worked. Later I opened up the connection box to have a look and the lacquered covering on the winding wires had deteriorated but because they disappeared into the body of the motor it was impossible to repair. This is the other real danger with old motors, if the wiring that actually goes to the coils is moved it has a tendency to flake off the lacquer coating as this becomes extremely brittle with age and heat from the motor. Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
Members ndnchf Posted March 27, 2017 Author Members Report Posted March 27, 2017 Well, I suppose you guys are right. As much as I like the old school motor, trusting the old wiring, both external and internal to the motor is just tempting fate. I've had been looking at servo motors a while back and reading about them here. It seems that the currently available models are constantly changing. Time to start looking again. Thanks Steve Quote
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