How to install the light, switch and motor on a Singer Featherweight: Restoration Series Part 17

Learn how to reinstall the light, switch and motor on your Singer Featherweight 221. See the problem I ran into when reinstalling the socket for the plug. This is part 17 of the restoration video series, if you missed the beginning of this series, check it out here: • Singer Featherweight T...
Here is the link to the tap I used for the damaged screw hole:
drillsandcutte...
Here is the video that shows you how to remove the light and switch:
• Singer Featherweight T...
Here is the video that shows you how to remove and disassemble the motor:
• How to take apart the ...
Learn more about Sewing Machine Rehab at: www.sewingmach...
Look below for links to most of the products you will need:
Shop the Singer Featherweight Shop for some supplies you need: singer-feather...
I sell grease wicks for your Featherweight on my site! Here is where you can find them: sewingmachiner...
List of supplies and links:
Various sized flat head screw drivers such as...
Chapman screwdrivers Kit No. 9600: amzn.to/47R4n7N
Craftsman Ratcheting Offset Screwdriver: amzn.to/3Ehii9o
Penetrating oil, I love Aerokroil by Kano: amzn.to/3R1a25h
Lily White Sewing Machine Oil: amzn.to/3Ej1O0F
Sew-Retro Sewing Machine Grease: singer-feather...
91% Isopropyl Alcohol: amzn.to/45tO7rv
Zymol Cleaner Wax: amzn.to/3P05c5o
Krud Kutter: amzn.to/3Ek2inh
Krud Kutter - The Must for Rust: amzn.to/3R2lKfR
Regular Cotton Swabs: amzn.to/3YW22nS
Pointy Cotton Swabs: amzn.to/3ECINXn
Old cotton t-shirts cut into pieces or other rags
Blue shop towels: amzn.to/45yO2D6
Sandwich bags (to keep parts together)
New Bed cushions for your Featherweight:singer-feather...
New Featherweight Drip Pad: singer-feather...
New LED lightbulb for your Featherweight: singer-feather...
New belt for your Featherweight: singer-feather...
New electronic style foot control: amzn.to/45tsNCH Feeler gauge: amzn.to/3YZJbbq
Thread tension meter: singer-feather...
Tweezers: amzn.to/45Os7r7
Several small artist paint brushes and a 1" chip brush (you can buy on Amazon but they are cheaper at stores like Walmart and Harbor Freight)
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
**As an Featherweight Shop Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@susie510]

I just bought my first featherweight machine yesterday. It was a lucky find. Thank you so much for providing these excellent videos!!! I’ve already learned so much! You’re an excellent teacher!!

[@SewingMachineRehab]

How exciting! I hope it all goes well for you, I find the process so enjoyable!

[@deborahwoodward5578]

Hi Jen. Thank you so much for sharing another outstanding video with all of us again. I love to watch you work on the machines. It shows in you and your machines how much you love to do this. Your machines always come out pristine and beautiful. Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend, Blessings.

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi, good to hear from you! I DO love to do this! Hope you are well!

[@shanabanana3800]

I am thanking the Sewing Machine Gods right now for producing the angel that you are! It's been a while since I disassembled my Alice, and even though I took a gazillion photo's along the way, it is yours and Bob's tutorials that are saving me - thank you! ❤🇦🇺

[@SewingMachineRehab]

I am so glad that the videos are helpful! Good luck with your restoration!

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Nicely done Jen! Nicely done indeed!

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Thank you Bob! My collection of taps keeps growing, you would be proud haha.

[@DarylannCampbell]

I just finished the rewiring and I'm so excited!! So close to completion. Very rewarding! Thanks for all your assistance.

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Wonderful! I am excited for you!

[@lrdnvdv]

you are awesome! i looked of all this videos today. i hope tomorow i will buy the part who cant be shiped to Montreal.

[@butterflyonmywall6183]

Thank you! I had this exact screw problem with a machine. I really don’t know what “tap out” means but I will research and find out. The whole tutorial is very helpful. 🦋😎😁

[@SewingMachineRehab]

The tap is something that looks like a screw but when you turn it into the hole it cleans out the inside threads and sort of “re-drills” the hole for you. If that makes sense. I may not always use the correct terms so hopefully I am not too confusing. First you have to research what size tap you need since the diameter and threads per inch are not all the same…if you use the wrong size then your screw won’t work in the hole anymore. Hope that helps! A die is something that works sort of in reverse, you can use it to “re-thread” a screw. Sometimes it’s not the hole that is the problem, it’s the screw so when I buy taps I usually try to buy the matching size die for it. They are pretty useful to have around!

[@butterflyonmywall6183]

@@SewingMachineRehab Thank you! Yes that does make sense. I appreciate your helpful comment. 🙏🏽

[@Leglenns]

Thank you.

[@SewingMachineRehab]

You're welcome!

[@johnharris2536]

Great series so far. I have really enjoyed rebuilding my featherweight but am anxious to start sewing. How soon do you think you will be able to complete the series?

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! I am editing the next video as I answer your question. :) I aim for one a week but am focusing on wrapping it up because we are so close to being finished! Thank you so much for following along, I think there will be 2-3 videos after the one I upload tonight (hopefully)

[@DianaTeague-n1z]

I removed the upper tension mechanism to clean. I had no problem removing thumb screw. I did nothing that would have damaged the threads on end. I have reassembled with no problems, but I can not thread the thumb screw on. It is like the treads are damaged. They don't look damaged, but not able to start it, it goes on crooked. I am careful not to force it. I know it is aluminum, so could be easily damaged. Any suggestions. I enjoy and have learned much from your tutorial.

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! It may be that at some point the two halves of the end of the stud got slightly spread apart. You can try gently pinching them back together slightly and your thumb screw should go back on just fine. Let me know if it doesn’t!

[@meganmills6545]

This is all going to be so useful for me when I get back to working on my Featherweight. I've got one mostly taken apart and I got the motor working really well etc, etc... And then something happened and it's been waiting, waiting, waiting for me to get it all back together and reassemble the machine. So long it's been waiting now that I'd completely forgotten how I even got it apart. But you have, I think, possibly shed some light on another problem I've had... I've got a Model 28 where the stitch length adjusting screw goes in so far and some of the threads of the screw even start to protrude on the inside of the machine. Then it just stops dead. All the threads are so clean they almost twinkle so perhaps what I need to do is re-tap the threads. What do you think - does that sound to you like what I need to do is re-tap the hole or the screw - or both? And how do you find out what tap is the right one? Singer seems to have a lot of screw pitches that are unique to them... Thanks so much for the lovely video - and for any tips you might have about the problem I've run into with the Singer 28 stitch adjusting screw! :-)

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! Do you have the part number for the stitch adjusting screw on the Singer 28? I don’t have a parts diagram for the 28 but if you know the part number for the screw I may be able to tell you what size tap you need. Thinking about the problem you are describing, I’d probably purchase the tap and die in that size just to be safe. It sounds like the problem is the hole but if you had the die you could run the screw through it just to be sure. And of course, Bob might just know the size off the top of his head. :)

[@meganmills6545]

@@SewingMachineRehab Hi Jen! Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. I agree it's probably best to get the tap and die together - it can't hurt to have "groomed" threads on the screw to match anyway. :-) I'm lucky enough to have the Illustrated Parts List and it says the part number is 253. If you don't know I'll ask Bob - if it's the same part in a Model 66 he almost certainly knows.

[@SewingMachineRehab]

@@meganmills6545 this should tell you what size…www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/screw_threads

[@meganmills6545]

@@SewingMachineRehab Awesome - I know their web site but they have information tucked here and there and I didn't know about this. Thank you Jen!

[@lisamccaff9217]

Thanks so much for these videos. Q for you: can I swap out a US voltage motor for a UK motor? I have acquired a UK voltage foot controller and female banana plug-in…. Seems doable??

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi, yes you can. If you have questions I would do some research at the Singer Featherweight shop or send me an email through my website. It can be done!

[@chippewagirl7299]

When installing the light, could you take 2 small piece of electrical tape one yellow and one white to indicate which lead is which?

[@SewingMachineRehab]

You absolutely could! Here is a secret though, it really doesn't matter. I learned that after working on a few of them...it is more important that one wire goes to the switch and one to the yellow spot on the power block. Beyond that there is nothing that is different about those wires. Hope that helps!

[@wilmawagner9631]

Hi do you grease the gears after cleansing the machine?

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! Yes I do, I use the grease that is sold at the Singer Featherweight shop. You can use the same grease for the grease wicks in most motors as well. singer-featherweight.com/products/sew-retro-grease/?aff=57 Out of all the grease options available, it’s the best one I have found

[@lilolmecj]

Dagnabbit! The solder spot broke on the “ yellow wire”! I can fix it but I really wanted to complete one step!😂

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Oh dear, well if you can fix then wonderful! I think I mentioned in another comment that I like to replace the light wiring. I don’t have a video for how to do that yet but you can find one on Bob Fowler’s channel and he will also show you how to replace the lead sheath as well. Check out his channel if you need some guidance!

[@charlesroberts8128]

How did you determine what size tap you needed to redrill the screw channel? I need to get a tap for the tapped channel that holds the tension assembly stud in place.

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! I use this list here, if you have the part number for the screw it will tell you. Not sure it is a complete list but it’s my go to when I need to know. I hope it helps you out! www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/screw_threads

[@cheryldegan327]

I didn’t mark any of my wires when I removed them. i must have missed that step in the disassembly. what can I do now?

[@SewingMachineRehab]

You should be able to see at least a little difference in the wires. Look closely at the coverings, you should find little specks of color woven in. One will be solid black and the others will have color…if you are having a hard time sorting them out, send me a pic through my site and I will try to help you with what is what.

[@sarahortiz8554]

Hey so when putting together the wiring i noticed all of my wires are in bad shape except the motor. I’m just wondering where I can get replacements

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! You can find new wiring for the light here: singer-featherweight.com/products/light-lamp-socket-singer-new and then a vintage switch with a new lead here: singer-featherweight.com/products/toggle-switch-with-nuts-and-lead-singer-featherweight-vintage-original If you are willing to make the investment. Otherwise you can rewire yourself if you have the tools. I’m not paid to recommend their stuff, I recommend it because it is good and they are reputable. I hope that helps!

[@sarahortiz8554]

@@SewingMachineRehab thank you sm!

[@raclac3770]

Okay I’ve apparently not followed along close enough as I don’t recall what was connected to what on the light. Oops.

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! If you look closely at the coverings on the wires you should be able to tell what is what. You can see that my wires were not actually “white” or “yellow” because of age but I think you should still be able to figure out what wire used to be each color. The worst thing that can happen is you find out you have the wrong wire in the wrong place and you have to switch them. Keep at it, you can do it!