Singer 15-90 - fixed up and in the shop!

I found this machine awhile back, and it's taken me awhile to get it all together!

This is a Singer 15-90.  It's a beast of a cast iron machine, and certainly is a pretty one.



When it came to me, cosmetically it looked good, but it was initially seized. The handwheel sort of turned, and the whole thing clunked oddly when I did get it moving.  I did my normal process - clean out the machine, oil all metal moving parts/joints, and look for points that needed attention.

After just an evening of fiddling with it, I got it up and running smoothly - mechanically.

The motor, wiring, and belt were all shot.  I could have reworked the motor, but I set it aside for the time being.  I did eventually decide to order a new motor set - foot, motor, wiring all in one.  While I waited on that, I set the 15-90 up on my Singer treadle table where I uninstalled the Redeye just to test this one out.  I used it for a couple of hours to work on a quilt I've been puttering on forever. It ran smoothly and I got the tensions settled nicely.

The original bobbin winder assembly was cracked and someone had previously tried to epoxy it back together to no avail.  I found another collector who sold me an original part, and reinstalled the bobbin winder. It's the little black upside-down "T" shape just left of the handwheel, with the little black tire on the right.  You can see the spool holder is slightly bent too - but it still works well.  Many machines actually have broken this bit off over time - I'm lucky this girl still has it.

I also fitted a new bobbin winder wheel/tire, so it should have great friction now.  I received and installed the motor/foot pedal/wiring, and tested that out - new belt is squeaky, but it runs well.

Once those issues were settled, I cleaned and polished the outside of the machine, and polished up all the chrome.  And she sure turned out pretty.

There's nothing like freshly polished chrome on a sewing machine!

See how nice the decals are?

Did I mention she was in my shop?  I really wanted her for my own initially, but she just didn't grow on me like the Redeye did. Personally, I like the decals on the Redeye better, and I just enjoyed sewing with her more.  Nothing against 15-90, just personal preference.

Anyway, she's in my shop, and comes with buttonholer, Singer attachments in box, and the original manual.  Shipping is included in the cost.

Shameless self promotion?  No - I actually hate talking about things I'm selling - I feel like a peddler.  But I poured a lot of work into this machine, and I really wanted to share with you the process and how it turned out - it just so happens I wanted to pass this machine along. :)

Jess

PS - if you made it this far - I have a shop coupon up right now!  Enter SEWSTAR at checkout for 20% off!