Monday, July 29, 2013

Garage Find - Domestic

I bet you think I meant "Garage SALE Find" but it's not. Yesterday, I was cleaning out my garage and saw a sewing machine case behind some plywood leaning against the wall. I thought it was just an empty case but it turned out to have a Domestic sewing machine in it.



  My daughter found this machine at a thrift shop for $8 and picked it up for me as a gift.  I cleaned and oiled it when I got it but haven't used it since.  We have lived in this house for three years and it has been stored on the floor of the garage all that time but when I plugged it in, it ran as smooth and quiet as a Necchi.  With the left-needle position and having an end-loading bobbin,  I put it early in the zig zag era, probably late 1950s or early 1960s.

  I'm curious what was sewn on it previously because most of the paint is in good condition but there is a big chunk and several chunklets missing from the vertical pillar, inside the throat. What could cause that type of damage?


  I used the machine for a project last night and the only problem is that the motor does not start immediately when depressing the foot control. Thinking this might be caused by corrosion in the foot control, I opened it up and cleaned the contacts but that did not cure the problem.


  Next, I pulled off the end cover to make sure the belt was not too tight but it wasn't.  The mechanics are free moving, so it doesn't need lubrication, I guess my next move will be to pull out the motor and check for dirt on the commutator.

12 comments:

Jonathan said...

I have a (made in Japan) White 1466 from the same time period with a 1.3 amp motor. My machine is a left needle position also. It was a bit awkward using the machine to install a zipper because it pulls to the left. But other than that I have no complaints. My White 1466 is a very smooth machine. I intend to leave it in a cabinet because it's so heavy. I know you don't need them, but will you look for cams for your machine?

Joe said...

I would have guess that the scratches were caused by the foot controller being stored sitting on the bed of the machine.

Unknown said...

Joe, that is a good guess. I'll bet you're right. - Ed

Unknown said...

Jonathan, my machine has a JA23 stamp in the chassis. My information is that JA23 has also been found on some Whites.

I won't search out cams but won't turn them down if some pop up. I don't sew anything that uses decorative stitches, I'm strictly a straight stitch/zig zag sewist with an occasional buttonhole. -Ed

Unknown said...

I have this exact sewing machine! It was my grandmother's and I have been sewing on it for over 18 years, which is when I inherited it. It folds into a great sturdy little table! It doesn't have a foot pedal, there is a knee lever on the right. I love this machine so much - it works great and has never broken down on me - and I sew a lot!

Unknown said...

Can you tell me how to get this model back into the cabinet once removed for repair? We can't get the little bars inserted back into the holes, and need some "how to" advice ! Thanks, Karen

Anonymous said...

I got this same machine with a cabinet also. Do you know where I could find a manual on how to use it? Im new to this.

Susan said...

hi, I took my foot pedal apart and found that one of those tiny springs was broken. Do you know where I can find a replacement?

Unknown said...

If you email a photo of the spring and where it goes inside the foot control to my gmail address, oldsewingmachines, I might be able to provide an answer. -Ed

Jenna said...

Hi, does anybody know haw to adjust the needle left and right on this machine or have a manual for it? Just bought this same one but the needle seems way to far left.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenipher. I just got one of these and i don't know how to load a bobbin on it and there's some gauges that I don't understand. Could you tell me how to at least look this bobbin?

Anonymous said...

I have this exact same machine, my Grandmother also handed it down to me. I do have the manual if anyone is interested I can make copies to send. I have several feet that are not in the manual that I’m trying to figure out how they work and what they do...