Potted Motors: Revisited

By popular demand, I revisited the potted motor commonly found on the 201-2 and 15-91, this time with better lighting (and even a little sarcasm). At 47 minutes, I know it's long, so make a big bowl of popcorn and pour a cold, refreshing beverage, and enjoy.
00:00 Intro and titles
02:00 Preparation
03:47 Open it up, tear it down (brushes & grease wicks)
06:53 Removal of worm, armature, and field coils
10:46 Off with the bobbin winder
12:15 Last of the schmoo removal before it's off to the sink (with lots of sarcasm)
15:33 Back from the sink!
15:54 The armature and commutator bars
18:00 New wire to the field coils
30:05 Reassembly
33:55 Armature & worm reinstallation
36:41 Grease wicks, springs, retainers and caps
42:35 Brushes
44:00 Coil cover
44:57 Testing and final thoughts
My website: bobsvsmservice.com/
Get a coffee mug! The world is so much better with coffee...
bobs-vsm-service.creator-spri...

[@timlee5260]

I did a 201 today and used your videos as a guide. It went well, thanks for the information, years ago this information was known by a select few tech guys, I doubt most sewing centers did this even back in the day. They likely had one guy in town who worked on motors of all sorts and if he was like the guy in my hometown he was booked out for weeks.

[@michaelthompson9127]

Thank you Bob this helped out alot.

[@kathleenbutler8879]

Just watched this a second time. Used my grandmother’s 1952 15-91 for much of my young adult life with not much of an appreciation for what it was….other than it would sew through just about anything. The machine is cleaned up and waiting on much needed motor cleaning and rewire. I will tackle the project with much more confidence and enthusiasm now. For myself and grand daughters a valuable family heirloom. Thanks so very much Bob (and wife for picking up and sorting parts and pieces).

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Glad this was helpful!

[@robbiesperry5492]

Thank you for sharing your expertise, Bob! I will be watching & re-watching your videos, as I tackle my 201! Say, can you share the dimensions of the tool you made to push out the brush tubes?!?!

[@meganmills6545]

The lighting is gorgeous! Much easier to see now. That ring lighting was a great investment.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Thanks Megan!

[@tammyb3121]

Thanks for all your great videos! I have been searching through all your videos to look for information on the light that this motor has. Is there a special tool or trick to get those rings off and to put them back. Also I found that to get the brush copper pieces out a plastic straw (the hard ones that come with reusable cups) are the perfect size and work wonderfully with a little tapiology added. Thanks for all you do!!!

[@lisachavis4194]

I was trying to work on my Singer 101 motor, but I couldn't get the screw to budge from the worm to remove the armature. I had to use a Qtip to clean what I could.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

I must confess, my 101 is being very stubborn. I haven't spent much time trying, but she hasn't released her motor yet... I need to find some time and really try to get that off!

[@Lou4130]

Hey Bob!..your videos have been helping me greatly with my new found love of these machines! I got a 1940 15-91 recently that was sitting in a workshop up on a shelf in the sun for who knows how long. the wires and feet on the pedal were melted onto the machine! I have managed to restore it mostly. It looks great now and everything turns as it should. it needed a full rewire so i used this video to guide me, but it still doesn't seem to work. When i got it i had no idea if it worked, so there is that lol. I just want to make sure there isn't something i need to know that maybe you didn't mention since i am super new to this. It is possible the coil is no good i would gather, but before i grab one off e-bay, i want to be sure i reassembled it correctly. not sure of the orientation of the brush holders..if that matters. Also could those wires to the brush holders be so bad to not make the motor work? they look ok, but are def old! Thanks for any help Bob!

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

You can test the coils with a DMM. Each side should have pretty low resistance, and as long at they are pretty much the same, you should be ok. Put your meter on an Ohms scale, and test between the wire that supplies the line voltage and the brush holder and make a note of the reading. Lather, rinse, repeat on the other coil and hopefully you're within an ohm or two. If you put the brush holder in the wrong way, the motor will still work, it will just spin in the opposite direction. The key is to pay attention when you disassemble the motor as to which goes where. Worst case, you pull the brush holders and put them on the other side.

[@Lou4130]

@@BobFowlerWorkshop ah yes! I didn’t even think of that lol. Thanks Bob!

[@chascatt]

Can you do a video on just your tools and the homemade ones? Or do you already have one and i missed it. I just ordered a chapman set but I can't seem to match your giant tweezers and I'd love a measurement for my husband to make that tool for me. I'm getting ready to attempt a 201-2 overhaul. It will be my first ever

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

I'll add a segment to this weeks Sunday video!

[@chascatt]

@@BobFowlerWorkshop great! My chapman will be here tomorrow and waiting on her new tool friends

[@chascatt]

You might be able to do Amazon links through a partner and make a few cents off anything ordered from your page. Penny's from heaven can add up

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Yeah, I know, but I won't do sponsored links. I have been accused of shilling for various companies in the past (I have no sponsorships and don't want any). I value the trust of my viewers above all else, and if I recommend a product, it's because I actually use and like it enough to spend my own funds on it. The few dollars that would result in an Amazon store isn't worth my viewers even thinking I compromised my personal integrity for a little money.

[@TeresaBearCFP]

What diameter of the wicks do I buy?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Consumables used from McMaster-Carr: Item 8767K226 Firm Felt Cord F1 3/16" diameter (grease wick for motor) Item 9600K33 SBR Rubber Grommet for 7/16" hole diameter and 3/32": material thickness. Item 7113K551 Ring Terminals, non-insulated for 22-18 Wire Gauge and number 8 screw. Item 7856K43 Heat-shrink tubing 0.13" ID before shrinking.

[@edge1289]

As always, thanks for the video and sharing your knowledge! Would you possibly have a source for the grommets used to pass the wire through? Interesting use of the wire tire as a strain relief, I have to teach myself the underwriters knot each time I do this😉. Thanks again Bob!

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

McMaster-Carr Item 9600K33 SBR Rubber Grommet for 7/16" hole diameter and 3/32" material thickness

[@edge1289]

@@BobFowlerWorkshop thank you Sir!

[@edge1289]

@@BobFowlerWorkshop I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the quality of the lighting, very nice Bob!

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

@@edge1289 Thanks!

[@darkmask123]

Got my third machine and it’s a 201 potted. Your videos are very helpful! I like the zip tie method in this video for strain relief. Much easier that making knot and adjusting to space against the armature. It’s still apart and may redo that wire feeding. Also, you use a different grease here that a previous video. Is there a difference?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Glad it helped! The zip-tie method works a treat with the gauge wire I use. For heavier wire, an underwriters knot is still the best option.

[@paintsomestuff6727]

This is great, thank you. Is it important to remember which one is the 'red' wire?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

No need, nothing is polarized.

[@mnelson9057]

Hi Bob, thanks for this wonderful channel, I’ve been binging. You’re probably sick of these questions, but what is the name of the wire you’re using and is it possible to use lead-free solder? I went to McMaster (they should give you affiliate links!) and the rosin core solder says it leaves a residue that has to be removed with flux cleaner, so I think I’m looking at the wrong kind. The grommets and felt you mentioned in the other video are in my cart. Thanks so much for helping us save and use these beauties. Take care

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

I'm not a big fan of lead free solders. I buy Kester brand locally, and it's a no-clean type, but you can always use alcohol as a wipe down afterwards to clean any residue. I won't get into the politics of "lead free" electronics, but for the miniscule amount in the rewiring of a sewing machine motor.. Oh yes... the wire... I use Stinger Select SSPW18BK wire. tinyurl.com/yc5nu2wh

[@mnelson9057]

Thank you so much, this is exactly what I needed to know and will order these. I wish my purchase would get you affiliate pennies, you’re doing a huge service for us machine enthusiasts. Thanks

[@terrigelbaum8066]

Boy, let's get that puppy cleaned out. She needs a little spit and polish. So you got a ring light.....nice.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

She was rather nasty...

[@terrigelbaum8066]

Sell rewiring kits......with all the goodies you need to do the job, Charged a fortune, get rich and take your wife to Barcelona. Just typing out loud.....

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

OMG, there's enough people doing that, you don't need me!

[@terrigelbaum8066]

@@BobFowlerWorkshop Like I said...typing.out loud.....I suppose there are others doing it, you would do it better because you're BOB....later dude. Have fun today. Have too much fun.

[@terrigelbaum8066]

YUCK!

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

You should have seen one motor I did last week - even worse...