How I degrease the worm and cam stack gears on the Singer Model 513 Sewing Machine

[@davyl1414]

When you say, "don't use it on the black singers" you mean just the body right? You can still use it on the metal, (silver) bits right? Just not the body? Thanks for sharing all these videos. They have been ever so helpful!

[@andytubesewing1953]

You are correct Anne Marie; I mean just not on the painted body parts. I have never tried KK on a painted black machine but had 2 viewers mention it dulled/hurt the black finish. They did not say what strength or duration they had used, but I figure better safe than sorry. The KK is really good at removing grease and oil, IMO. I have been told GoJo is good too, and will not hurt the black paint. I just use a trash bag to protect the paint like in this video. It sure beats hundreds of Q-tips and a quart of alcohol I used a couple of times when I strated restoring machines. Thank you for asking and I'll pin your comet so others may see it. Hope you'll visit Andy Tube again. Take CAre.

[@beautyson51]

I guess it's kind of off topic but do anybody know of a good website to stream newly released series online ?

[@elaineinoregon2727]

Great video! Thank you so much and my machine thanks you too! Your voice is very relaxing and I sure need that when I’m diving into machine gears and grease and/or oil challenges.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thank you for watching my video. Maybe you're a fellow grease monkey now? I'm glad you were willing to do the work and thanks for maintaining your machine. Your comment made my morning. Take care.

[@rickmelum3075]

Thank you so much Andy. Your work is really appreciated. You have made a difference in my life. Singer 401A working great!!

[@andytubesewing1953]

Welcome. I love to read that people have used my videos to repair/maintain their old Singer machines. Glad if they help you do that. Thanks for the kind comment.

[@ddeetaurus]

ThanksAndy. Tthis was an excellent video for those of us who don’t want to take our sewing machines apart.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thank you, Dorothy. That is exactly what I was hoping for. I know not everyone is as OCD about dismantling as I am, LOL.

[@dorothyshilow3282]

Hi Andy, I own 7 different sewing machines. If you ever refurbish a 600e or a 401a, I will follow you and refurbish my machine too. I feel slightly intimidated about doing it on my own. I recently removed and completely cleaned the cam stack on my 401a. The cam stack was completely frozen.

[@dorothyshilow3282]

Thanks Andy, I don't have the service manual. I will surely download it.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I know it will come in very handy for you. When you do small parts rehab, say like the bobbin winder, you really see that it's not that hard and you feel encouraged to do more and more. Before you know it, you startdismantling motors and so forth.

[@dorothyshilow3282]

( continue previous post) Many other parts on the 401a were frozen too. I used the Triflow oil and Krudd Cutter to clean and unfreeze the 401a. Thanks for those tips. It's still a work-in-progress, but it's coming along well. At least all the wheels and knobs are moving freely now. The machine was in bad shape. I don't think it was touched for 50 years and I don't think it was ever cleaned given minor maintenance by those who owned it. I know that the 401a and Touch and Sew machines aren't your favorite to work on. But I'm hoping one day I'll see one of them in your videos. One can only hope. Thanks again Andy for your great videos.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Sounds like you have a nice collection, congratulations. Maybe you will do a video on how to remove and clean that 401A camstack someday. It's always interesting to hear stories of those vintage Singe machines that were abandoned for 30 to 50 years but can be cleaned, adjusted, oiled and greased and will work very well. I'm guessig you already have the Singer Sevice Manual for your 401A, but if you do need a free copy you can download it from this page: sewingdude.wordpress.com/category/free-manuals/

[@caper695]

Awesome, so belt driven instead of vertical shaft gear and all other gears are accessible from the bottom😁 Now I can check for broken gears and belts so I can oder parts👍 Thanks Andy!🌞✅

[@andytubesewing1953]

Good luck. You can email [e-mail] and ask for the FREE copy of the parts list/diagram if you want to verify parts numbers. Thanks for watching my channel.

[@caper695]

@@andytubesewing1953 thanks I will do that. Just checked my machine and only need bobbin shaft gear😁😁😁😁the other 3 are good, 2 of which are original, and the belts are good...WHOOOHOO😄😄😄😄

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@caper695 Good news then! It's in the mail. Take care.

[@caper695]

@@andytubesewing1953 got them, thank you and I will remember to set the hook timing✅✅✅✅

[@bijouxw1014]

Really helpful information. Thank you for sharing, I need to clean a machine, so is great. Just a suggestion to save to time and having extra mess to clean; wrap the machine base with plastic.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Welcome. Thank you for suggesting wrapping with plastic. I did some protection starting at about 20:45 in this video. What I wanted to stress is that cleaners can dull the paint finish and not to use Krud Kutter on the Black Singer Models. I made this video at the request of viewers about cleaning just the worm gear area. I usually just wash the whole machine in the shower. Here is a link to my playlists page where I have videos by model number. If you watching one like "CoCo goes to the Spa", you can see how I clean the entire machine. I have over 340 videos, so something for everyone (almost). It was kind of you to comment. Thank you for watching Andy Tube.

[@Chantwizzle]

My handwheel is completely stuck. I was sewing along and my machine whirred to a stop. Would doing a deep clean get it going again? I got it secondhand for $80 and was quoted $125 to repair it before the tech even looked at it. For that money I can get a new one. I'm just a hobby sewist.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I don't think so really. If it was working OK and started slowing down and hesitating over an hour or more then maybe it's a lubrication problem. When you say it "whirred" to a stop it sounds like in a minute or so. Is it a model 513 like in this video? I'm thinking more a belt or gear problem. Thread wrapped around the hook/ bobbin case. It never hurts to clean and oil a machine. It should be done often. Maybe if you follow those procedures in the instruction manual to clean and oil you will come across the problem.

[@broski5582]

"The plastic gear on the bottom of the cam stack (disc driving worm wheel) that meshes with the metal worm gear of the main horizontal arm shaft" that you were talking about has broke in half on my machine. Where can I find a replacement? Thank you so much for your videos. I have learned a lot.

[@andytubesewing1953]

huh... I've never seen that before. Ouch. Anyway, the parts list I have says that parts No. is 153640 and that part is on models 513, 514, 518, 533, 538. I see a trusted seller has the part for $4.00! She took it off a model 534 it looks like: thriftyfarmgirl.com/singer-534-stylist-sewing-machine-parts There is not a parts list for model 534 that I can find. Because my list shows the same part of models 533 & 538 experience tells me the same parts would most likely be on model 534, which is a somewhat rare model as it has a tubular bed and not many were sold. If you need help with the replacement method you can buy the Service Manual for $5.00 here: manualsoncd.com/product/singer-500-sewing-machine-service-manual-518-538-513-514-533/ I was surprised to see someone had the part for sale. Good Luck, and thanks for watching my channel.

[@alcas7864]

Appreciate your videos . Just subscribed. I just purchased a Vintage Bernina 831. It is full of grease all over the place. Planning to remove motor and electrical before a cleaning. Can i use Krud Kutter on nylon gears? I apologize if this was mentioned on a previous video. The machine is all metal except for 2 nylon gears. Thank you.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Welcome to Andy Tube Channel. Yes, it is OK for plastics. I would spray/dip and brush then rinse. I would not soak plastic in the cleaner for long periods. The manufacturer states it is safe for most plastics. You can find the product page here; www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/krud-kutter/cleaners-and-stain-removers/original-krud-kutter?ls=KK326&lc= From there you can find a use chart here; www.rustoleum.com/-/media/DigitalEncyclopedia/Documents/RustoleumUSA/Product-Documents/Brochures/krud-kutter/kk_bifold.ashx For example a 1 to 10 ratio of KK to water is recommended for plastics. I have used much stronger than that but start with 1 to 10. I have cleaned many plastic parts, gears and carry cases with KK. You can find the actual dilution reference chart here; www.rustoleum.com/-/media/DigitalEncyclopedia/Documents/RustoleumUSA/Product-Documents/Charts/Original_KK_Dilution_Reference_Chart.ashx Thanks for the sub and for watching my channel. Good Luck.

[@alcas7864]

@@andytubesewing1953 wow!!! Thank you so much!!! I appreciate your help.

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@alcas7864 Certainly 👍

[@belindaleighfrazier8165]

What do I use to get the yellowing off of my chrome parts. They look like brass and I know they are not. It is a 1932 15.91 ornate. I am learning from u how to restore her.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I'f never had heavy yellowing of chrome parts, so I do not know if that is some reaction of the metal to something it contacted. I have had very dirty machines, including chrome parts. In general I clean the chrome with a 15% solution of Krud Kutter Cleaner and Degreaser. This works well to remove grime and dried, varnished oil which can cause some filming of chrome parts. I DO NOT use it on the black machine surface. Once a part is clean I often use a metal polish to remove the fine wear scratches and brighten up the dull sheen. After using about 6 different metal polishes over the years I usually just use Brasso. It is inexpensive and readily available; even my grocery store carries it. I"ve never had the pleasure of working on a model 15-91 so I don't know if there is something special about the chrome on it from 1932. I did use some Brasso on a few of the chrome parts of my 1939 featherweight with very good results. Thanks for watching my channel and good luck.

[@bijouxw1014]

I like all you hints you offer as well. Do you have any suggestions for machine with plastic parts? I need to work on another machine, I purchased used and needs major cleaning. Thank you

[@andytubesewing1953]

I have cleaned modern plastic machines using the same methods in my videos. The Krud Kutter is safe for plastics. I usually do not put grease or oil on plastic gears or levers. I have put grease where the metal worm gear connects to plastic cam gears. Here is a playlist that includes cleaning a machine with Krud Kutter: kzbin.info/aero/PLsCOZgzzaiKLZyGebzS_oISgesXNyREyI

[@bijouxw1014]

I had forgotten I had bought Krud Kutter, worked well. Someone had greased the plastic gears and grease was on the belts so there was no traction. Belts slipping.Got machine cleaned up following your lead and did use a bit of alcohol in a few places. Now I am waiting for new belts. Thank you for sharing all these tips.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I'm glad it worked. Grease spreading to other areas is why I say don't over grease things. BTW, years ago I had a very greasy belt and soaked it in the Krud Kutter for 15 minutes, lightly scrubbed it with a wire brush and wiped it with alcohol. It actually worked well for me after it dried. It was a 40-year-old belt so I don't know if that would work on more modern belts.

[@bijouxw1014]

Yes, Krud Kutter did work on the belt & after I wipes & rinsed it well, I cleaned with alcohol. There was grease on everything. Guess they thought more & everywhere is better just in case..Ha Ha. It is actually a BL 101 Blind stitch hemmer. Now I have to figure out why the looper is not moving at all. Thanks again.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Good luck with your hemmer.

[@PibbleMom297]

I've used Tri-flow products on my vintage Kenmores for a long time and they seem to love it. I'm curious though, on this model 513 Singer, you say "no where" else on the machine gets grease. I think I missed something in this video. (I went through it kind of fast, jumping a bit here and there) Did you or did you not use grease on the gears underneath next to the bobbin assembly. I have experience only with vintage Sears machines. My "Kennies" all have a covered gearbox in that position which I open and grease when necessary. Thank you SO MUCH for the info on Krud Kutter! I've only used alcohol for this purpose and alcohol alone is not nearly as efficient as using Krud Kutter, so I'm very glad to know about it.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I love the Tri-Flow products too. After several conversations with retired Singer Repairmen that I met years ago, I have never put grease on plastic gears. Those lower gears on the 513 are all plastic. On the SInger Slant-needle models like the 301A, 401A, 403A, 404, 500A and 503A the handwheel gear is a type of plastic (kind of) called textolite and Singer definitely said and shows in manuals to put grease on that gear. Also, on later models that have a plastic gear on the bottom of the cam stack (disc driving worm wheel) that meshes with the metal worm gear of the main horizontal arm shaft I do put grease that plastic gear. Some people disagree and feel the plastic gears should be greased and ask me what I would use. I tell them that TriFlow says on their website that their clear synthetic grease is "safe for most plastics" so I guess I'd use that since I know the quality of that grease. I only worked on a couple of Kenmore models so I do not know if the gears in the covered gearbox on them are metal (assume so) or plastic. I hope that answers your question? If you watch my videos for the info and not entertainment they are best viewed at 2X normal speed. Thanks for watching and take care.

[@PibbleMom297]

Thanks, you have answered my question. Yes, ALL of the gears in my Kennies are metal. I'll remember about watching at 2X speed. I tend to be impatient regardless of what video I'm watching and that will help a lot. Thanks again!

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@PibbleMom297 Thank you. See you next time.

[@vickierayhill4637]

Eew, looks like earwax. ;)

[@andytubesewing1953]

That is a good comparison!

[@bijouxw1014]

ooops, commented to soon, glad you used plastic. Sorry

[@andytubesewing1953]

Haha, no worries. I replied too soon also. I like people to comment as we all can learn from them. I hope you will stop by my channel again. Take Care.

[@bijouxw1014]

HA HA LOL I see people doing more clean up work time after repairs, because they were so messy. & I am for saving that time for other things.