| Author |
 Topic  |
|
melteaser
|
 Posted -
10/11/2008
:
08:52
|
I've just acquired a White treadle sewing machine, manufacture date is c.1890. It's a lovely piece of furniture that will eventually go to Picard.
The wooden cabinet could do with a bit of work but I'm not sure how to go about it and wondered if anyone on here might have any pointers. The sensible side of me says 'get it done properly/professionally' but the have a go side says 'diy'.
I'll take some pictures later, basically the wood looks to be dried out in places and faded from sunlight. The top of the cabinet has the 'White' logo painted(?) on so I want to save this as I think it is a nice feature.
Any suggestions what I should do/use?
Off to find the camera now.
Mel
http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk
|
|
| Replies |
| Author |
|
|
melteaser
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 10:21
Mel
http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk  |
Another
Traycle Mine Overseer
6250 Posts
|
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 10:27
Find a good French polisher. Nolic
" I'm a self made man who worships his creator"  |
melteaser
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 11:09
Thanks Oilcan, that was my gut instinct as I don't want to ruin it.
Now to find one around here. Meeting friends for coffee this morning, perhaps one of them can recommend someone locally.
Mel
http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk |
Sue
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 11:26
Does the machine work? Does it say WHITE, I don't know the make. Anyway machines are actually quite easy to service. I have just done my Mum's old one for our eldest, and have been able to incorporate special feet from very early Singer models that a friend gave me. I was amazed at what is on the Internest about vintage sewing machines.. oh yes that is the phrase to Google.
Sue
PS I would be proud to both own and be able to use that machine. Lucky you
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Sue
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 11:53
Is this like yours ( but not in as good condition as yours )
Sue
http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-1890-white-treadle-sewing-machine-from-canada_W0QQitemZ330272150945QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Anni
Regular Member
634 Posts
|
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 12:16
I'm envious - what a beautiful piece.
|
melteaser
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 15:18
It does say 'White' Sue. I was googling all afternoon yesterday for info. I bought it via Moh, it has been in her husbands family for many years. The one on ebay is very similar but has 6 drawers where this one has 4. The patent plate showing the 1890 date sounds identical.
I think the machine will work once it has a new belt and a bit of a service. The belt is quite perished.
I have managed to find a manual for an 1878 model. According to info I have read on the net, White did not change their model very often, 'their products stood the test of time'.
A big thank you to Moh, I would not have it if not for her. Nice to see you again yesterday Moh, and to meet your hubby.
Edited by - melteaser on 10/11/2008 3:45:12 PM
Mel
http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk |
Gloria
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 15:32
Its beautiful Mel, a lovely piece even if it doesn't work.
I'd be dangerous with a brain!!!!!
www.briercliffesociety.co.uk |
Sue
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 15:34
Again LUCKY YOU. I too have been googling and was surprised to see it was such a well known machine.
Sue
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
|
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 17:33
Mel, it would be a shame to do anything to it beyond a good wipe with a cloth soaked in vinegar and water and then polishing with a good restoration wax. These are furniture waxes made with old-fasioned ingredients like beeswax and turpentine. A good cheap substitute would be white shoe polish. That way you keep the patina which is a product of its age and exposure to sunlight and feed the wood at the same time. It looks to me as though someone has already had a go at it because of the brown lozenge left round the logo. You could quietly tone that down by repeated polishing with brown boot polish avoiding the logo. Takes time but does least violence to the wood.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
TOM PHILLIPS
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 17:57
A bit of teak oil may bring the top surface back a bit,someone has deffinately had a go at that before,WD40 is very good for removing any rusting from the machine,use it with a soft cloth and spray onto the cloth then wipe over,bit of black lead on the legs and treddle...
"Work,the curse of the drinking class" |
pluggy
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 18:55
On a more practical note, it may not be worth spending a lot on as these things were produced in such vast numbers and because they are large 'pretty' pieces of furniture that were a shame to throw out they were often kept and have little monetary value. We sent a Singer of similar vintage to the skip a few years ago because we had nowhere to keep it and it wan't worth anything to sell. You can pick them up almost anywhere in good condition for a few pounds. The White ones are probably better known the other side of the pond. The Singers are better known here.
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk" 
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
softsuvner
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 19:02
Looks like someone has tried to remove old polish or varnish with some kind of abrasive ( steel wool? ). Best thing to give it is a good quality beeswax polish, if the lightened wood offends you, Stanley's method is as good as any other.
The bright metal parts of these old machinmes were nickel plated which is much softer than chrome. WD 40 is good for initial cleaning, but to keep the rust at bay, give the metal parts a wipe over with a light oil ( 3 in 1 or similar) - what we used to call "sewing machine oil" in fact.
The White Sewing Machine company made all sorts of things including phonographs, roller-skates, bicycles and steam-powered cars. There was a White steam car engine on show a couple of weeks ago at the Midlands Model Engineers exhibition.
An offshoot of the company still makes buses and big trucks - just imagine, a link between your sewing machine and the "Ice-Road Truckers!"
Malcolm
|
Sue
|
Posted - 10/11/2008 : 22:09
I renovated a piece of furniture for our house here. We bought a kit called STIP IT or a similar name. It took all the old polish off. I then repolished with a good beeswax polish, I think we bought the two togather. It took many hours but was worth it to see the final effect.
Sue
PS I still think it is worth renovating the works also as it is such a good specimen. Singer models are more common in this country than White sewing machines. The piece is worth what it is worth to you.
If you keep searching you'll find it |
melteaser
|
Posted - 11/11/2008 : 07:08
Plug - it is worth every penny I throw at it. I know the history and former ownership of it which for me, is worth more than any financial value. I only wish it was something that had been kept in my only family since its first sale. I have no intention of selling it on and have no idea what it is or could be worth, this is something that does not interest me in the slightest. I did not buy it because I want a valuable antique. I bought it because it is something I have wanted for quite some time and I have the perfect spot for it to live. It will hopefully stay in my own family for generations to come. I don't have kids of my own but my niece has taken a real shine to it already.
With regards to the wood, it isn't that it is lightened that concerns me so much - the bottom left corner is starting to split. I don't want this to get worse than it is.
I didn't realise the connection with the trucks - you live and learn!!
Thanks for all advice received - I'm probably more confused than ever now as to which path to follow. It all sounds like good advice.
Edited by - melteaser on 11/11/2008 07:09:41 AM
Mel
http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk |
Restoration advice
