Matt S Report post Posted September 23, 2018 12 hours ago, plinkercases said: When I bought the 335 it came with a litre of purpose made "sewing machine oil" which I understand has to do with it properties such that it doesn't stain the material. Would Moly Grease work as well as lithium grease? AIUI moly grease is molybdenum disulphide suspended in lithium grease so that should be fine -- 10x better than what was avilable in 18-ninety-whatever when these machines were designed! Purpose-made SM oil is nice and light (makes great honing oil!) and non-detergent so works well in most modernish sewing machines -- especially those with automatic oiling mechanisms. However its thinness, in my non-scientific and humble opinion, is a little too thin to be the best in the old, heavy machines. It'll certainly work but I wonder about its sticktivity in, say, the needle box galleries of a #6. The manual specifies No.3 IVI oil but as to what that is exactly I couldn't say. I think, honestly, just about anything non-drying and not too thick will work in a #6. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted September 23, 2018 I also think the #6 loves a bit heavier oil / lubricant. I use clear synthetic chain spray on the cams and rollers and motor oil on the rest of the machine. I do not use standard sewing machine oil on the #6. When I restored my machine and did the 1st test it even ran smooth w/o any lubrication. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted September 23, 2018 Is there a trade name for synthetic chain spray? What viscosity motor oil 20W 10W etc? And finally... my singer manual calls for "singer gear grease" in the gear box. Is it a current specific OEM product or is there an equivelent as we have discussed above? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted September 23, 2018 A long time ago, a guy that works on these vintage heavy stitchers told me to use 30w oil and mix a little STP in with it, and oil anything that moves. I agree that these old machines need a heavier oil, and that mixture has served me well. it quiets them right down, and they run smooth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted September 24, 2018 Do you use the STP additive called "Oil Treatment" or the " 4-cylinder Oil Treatment"? Thank for all the help fellas, Murray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted September 24, 2018 The "wrong" oil will not kill this machine... I use 10w40 oil and this is the chain spray. I also use the chain spray on the the inside cam on my 29K71 and thread lever cam on 45D91 and on gears that usually run in grease filled gear boxes (like Singer 133K / 132K) . It´s just what I use not what the manufacturers recommend. I´m no lubricant scientist and i´m not smarter then the manufacturers - this is just what works for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gordond Report post Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) Congrats on your purchase! I too was shy of a wax pot ... Figured i wasn't going to find one so welded one up. No reference at the time so guessed and devised a thread track (vee bearings held in a UMPTE cartridge... Ok not classic at all but it works).. this was my "first" #6 machine of which many more have followed. Edited September 24, 2018 by gordond Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gordond Report post Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) Another view Edited September 24, 2018 by gordond Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted September 24, 2018 Beautifle! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted September 24, 2018 17 hours ago, plinkercases said: Do you use the STP additive called "Oil Treatment" or the " 4-cylinder Oil Treatment"? Thank for all the help fellas, Murray I'll have to check on that. I'm going to say it's probably just Oil Treatment. 6 hours ago, gordond said: Another view That is SWEEEET!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted September 24, 2018 There are other brands of oil treatment additives besides STP, all do pretty much the same thing. Just mix with some engine oil and you end up with a lube that sticks to things! Chain spray - there are lots made for motorcycle chains (and bicycle chains) and all are designed to stick at high speed. Some are quite thick when sprayed on, and most are messy! Best idea is to spray a bit into a container and use a swab or brush to apply it to the machine. Some bikers use DuPont teflon spray on their chains and swear by it as it dries to a non-sticky coating and works well. With a machine like this you're unlikely to go wrong with any of the modern oils/greases/lubes now available, just find something that works for you. As Constabulary said, you're not likely to kill it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonInReno Report post Posted September 24, 2018 Very nice machine - a lot of history there! If anyone hasn’t walked through a well stocked motorcycle shop, there are now synthetic lubes of all kinds available there from thick and sticky to thin and runny - even packaged in rather small quantities. Reading a few packages it appears each is a miracle cure for something.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoobyNewbie Report post Posted September 25, 2018 So, wait, wax pot? That wasn’t a typo? You can make a pot to wax your thread going into your machines? I thought that waxed thread in a machine is a no no. Doesn’t it gunk your needle and the winding apparatus up? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gordond Report post Posted September 25, 2018 10 minutes ago, ScoobyNewbie said: So, wait, wax pot? That wasn’t a typo? You can make a pot to wax your thread going into your machines? I thought that waxed thread in a machine is a no no. Doesn’t it gunk your needle and the winding apparatus up? These machines were originally fitted with an elaborate heating system -water baths to the wax pot below the needle - the thread and needle were quite warm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoobyNewbie Report post Posted September 25, 2018 Oh, so it cools the needle and thread, not waxes it. Jeeze, if I get into more machines, I’d better research the heck out of them before. i know you’re excited about your new machine, but why specifically? Does it give an advantage over your other machines? And if so why? What was it for originally? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gordond Report post Posted September 25, 2018 The water heats the wax - the needle dips into the wax bath so hot liquid wax. But I use mainly bonded polyester so in this case - cold lube.. A picture of the wax bath that fits below the needle (not my photo + I don't have this unit) Easy machines to work on ... Tried and true function.. nice stitch including rear of work - not mirror perfect but close.. Bear in mind that only up to a few years ago there weren''t a lot of machines that were suitable for heavier work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
