Continuing Thread: What Are You Fix-It'ing Today?

[908/930]

Yes, that is what you have. If you want to try to modify the end mill, do you have a bench grinder or hand grinder and steady hands? If you flatten the leading cutting surface so make it closer to 90 deg that should help, only needs the first .005"-.010" of the edge, just helps keep it from biting into the work. The same grind is used to modify tools for soft materials and plastic to keep the bit from cork screwing into the part.

[A930Rocket]

I’m sure there’s somebody local, but I enjoy doing this.

While it may not look pretty, will it work and is it safe? I deburred the edge.

I might be able to fab up something else, but using the 2 x 8 with a snug hole, allows me to rotate it. I also drilled a hole, that I put a pin into, to stabilize the work. I’ll see what I have to actually clamp the hub down as well. The reaming and counter sinking processes worked great.



908/930… are you saying grind the flat part of the cutter so that the cutting edge is smaller? I’ve got a bench grinder that could do it. But for 20 holes, I’m not sure I want to booger up a $60 bit.

[908/930]

A930Rocket, Search tool RAKE, right now that cutter has positive rake ( the surface that the chip flows over) what I am suggesting is neutral rake ( basically flat front) negative rake also can be used. $60 for that, more then I was thinking. If you are only using it for counterboring a small grind should not hurt it much, just make sure you grind the right area. The end mill flutes are long lots of practice grinds available. Try grinding a small flat or negative rake on one of your old 1/2 drill bits and see what it cuts like in steel.

Could have started a machining thread.

[Scott Douglas]

Just gave a Singer a tuneup, fixing it for my daughter for Christmas. Got real lucky and got a really nice machine off the Goodwill site, local too so I didn't have to risk nor pay for shipping as I could pick it up myself.
It won't be cheap to ship back to Virginia but it'll be worth it.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I’m sure there’s somebody local, but I enjoy doing this.

While it may not look pretty, will it work and is it safe? I deburred the edge.

I don't think you'll hurt yourself, I just want to be sure the milled face is perpendicular to the surface. I just think you need a better back-up board.

Does the chattering matter? Not really.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Just gave a Singer a tuneup, fixing it for my daughter for Christmas. Got real lucky and got a really nice machine off the Goodwill site, local too so I didn't have to risk nor pay for shipping as I could pick it up myself.
It won't be cheap to ship back to Virginia but it'll be worth it.

Is this a Featherlight?

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Is this a Featherlight?

No, but it is a Featherweight.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

No, but it is a Featherweight.

I was close. lol
My wife collects these things.
That's a pricey one.

[Scott Douglas]

I can't believe how lucky I got with this one.
First, it was on the GW site on the day our daughter called saying that's what she wanted for Christmas. Second, it was local here in Orange County so I could go get it (<5 miles away), third, it's in super shape as well as the case. It rivals my wife's machine which was her grandmother's machine and she's had for forever.

Can't really tell them apart can you?
I think this is an heirloom worthy machine. It runs super quiet too.

[911 Rod]

I wonder if my wife lied about how much she paid like I do with car and fishing stuff.
What are these going for in your area?

[Scott Douglas]

Oct 1953 build date.
Case is really nice as it has the bracket in the lid to hold the foot controller.
edit - I paid less than $600 for this but will have a little over $650 in it by the time it's ready to ship back east.
I put an LED light in it, new belt, new feet on the machine, the foot controller feet were good to go as is, lubed it up and oiled it, new felt drip pad too.
Based on what I've seen on the GW site and on the Featherweight site, I'd value this at $1200 easily now.

[Scott Douglas]

Case has this cool floral pattern fabric lining it that's in perfect shape.

[911 Rod]

Any issues with the wires degrading?

[Scott Douglas]

None that I'm aware of.
The foot controller wires are like new, nice and flexible, soft, the worst thing is the stress relief rubber is broke right at the point it enters the controller but I don't consider that a problem really.

[Scott Douglas]

Case latches cleaned up with some Scotch pad and steel wool application.

Like I said, I got very lucky with this one, couldn't ask for a better machine to send to my daughter.

[1990C4S]

Maybe we need a 'Sewing Machine Value' thread.

I have a couple of Singers and a Spartan to get rid of.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Maybe we need a 'Sewing Machine Value' thread.

I have a couple of Singers and a Spartan to get rid of.

We should.
They are rarely worth more that $100 unless it's a Featherweight.

[Scott Douglas]

^^^What Rod said, but, the 301 machines are coming up in value too. A little bigger, heavier, but come in a case that is suitcase like and I think basically have the same 'guts' as a Featherweight.
I wanted to 'collect' some Featherweights and clean them up for the girls in our family but the wife said 'NO' as it would intrude on her storage space for her computer driven machines.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

We should.
They are rarely worth more that $100 unless it's a Featherweight.

That’s what my mom’s looks like, but my dad fastened the foot pedal to the side of the machine, and my mom could operate it with her knee. I’m guessing my sister has it now.

[Baz]

After my Mom's funeral, her 4 sons met at her house and her old sewing machine (a Singer from the 60's) went back to Virginia with my oldest brother for his daughter (my niece).

I was glad to see it stay in the family.

No one wanted the Grandfather clock so it's coming to my home.