RESTORATION SERIES #7: Step by Step Lubrication of Singer 301. Lubrication: How Much & Where Applied

[@amalias8888]

You are the very best teacher online. Thanks for all you do to help us save these beauties. I got a Singer 401 at auction and because it wouldn't run, I sold it. Little did I know how easily I could have revived it.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

No worries. There are LOTS of 401 models out there. I'm sure you can find one again.

[@chrysincognitio3751]

For anyone who's wondering; the "tool with a smooth end" is a small crochet hook. Seems like a great thing to have in one's toolbox.

[@retroattitudes1]

I have a green featherweight that I bought in 1968. I used it a lot for 20 years and I think I over oiled it. I am looking for videos where you address removing old oil that is now "gumming up the works". I have found the Restoration Series 5 and 6 but it is not really addressing my needs. Can you refer me to one of your videos that do address. What I have found is very interesting and informative. Great job on taking it slow and talking about each step.

[@sally-3830]

Hello , thank you for the video! Got a 301A on Letgo App & although it worked, it sounded “clanky” as if it was struggling a bit. Followed with you as you cleaned & WOOOW, it’s running beautifully. I goofed a bit & got some alcohol on some painted parts but it got those gross very yellow caked on areas clean. Looking forward to following your polishing video with you.

[@vangiegarza5709]

Very helpful. My 91 yr young mom just passed n I didn't even remember she had it. Also discovered she had 4 machines & a surgery. I knew of 3 before I discovered the 301A. I will check it out. Probably disty.

[@tangledthreadworks]

Janome sells wicks in about 1 inch lengths it's used in the bobbin case for oiling

[@ronalddaub9740]

I collect these and I got one yesterday it's a two-tone Brown with a zig zag attachment that I'm hooking up today I love the slant shank and I also got really cheap a cuss-o-matic I'm working on it it seems to be okay even with the plastic gear. On marketplace wants a lady had a 348 and said it was like brand new but it barely turns and I asked her if she had oiled it. and she said I didn't know they had oil I said no it doesn't have an oil tank but anything metal to metal needs oil and gears need a little Grease so she olled it up and kept it. I would rather have more oil and wipe it off than no oil. I believe some younger people think that these machines don't take any kind of oil and a lot of people call an electric motor and electronic machine that's crazy but anyway I digress thanks for the video

[@theresaskrabanek512]

Thank you! I didn’t know about greasing the handle or foot lever mechanisms.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Happy to help!

[@sarahkulinski2857]

Thanks so very much for your assistance. I really appreciate it.

[@itsmeagain9149]

Hi, I own my mothers 301A. Although I have used it for years I am now making quilted baby blankets and having trouble with pressure to tight on cross stitches. With light batting in the middle usually causes fabric on top to stretch more than bottom. Then rip out, pull and tug on bottom fabric (cottons). Can the pressure be adjusted for this. I have used top pressure screw but I don't see any change? Margaret

[@ronalddaub9740]

Use dryer lint to replace the oil wicks ! . A old singer seller and mechanic gave me his pure Lithium grease for the bakelite main driven ( helical gear ,/ it will be fine

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I disagree on that point Ronald. The dryer lint is not dense and stable enough and could wick into the bearings and cause real trouble. Regarding grease, greases vary in their makeup and use. Lithium grease can cause issues as it ages. I would steer clear of it for this purpose.

[@danmorrissette4814]

Very Thorough !! Thank You !! :-)

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You are welcome Dan. Thanks for watching!

[@ronalddaub9740]

What do you put on the bakelite main gear that runs directly off of the motor?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Only use Singer lubricant grease.

[@bobbyblazeit]

Hey I was wondering what kind of grease youre using to lube the gears? And what type of oil should I be using once my tune up is done. Im just getting into sewing, found my grandmothers old 301, Its super clean just need to be cleaned up and lubed as far as I can tell. Thanks for your videos, I'm going to be watching most of them I'm sure LOL!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Chris. I use Singer Lubricant (grease) that comes in a Red/Pink/White striped tube. Other Singer greases are not the same. This grease I use is safe for both the metal gear sets underneath as well as the motor worm gear/handwheel gear. Congratulations on your 301. Its an incredibly popular vintage model for many good reasons. And the fact that it is a family heirloom is even better.

[@bobbyblazeit]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage thanks for the reply, as I watched more of your videos I found out what you recommend. I bought the Singer lubricant. I do have some Hoppe's No. 9, is this safe for my oiling needs?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I'm not familiar with the Hoppe's but to be safe, I would only use sewing machine oil. Brands vary, but most sewing shops carry at least one brand. That is all I ever use or recommend.

[@bobbyblazeit]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Hello again, so I got everything cleaned and lubed up best I could, but it looks like I have bigger problems. I was hoping maybe you could take a peak at this 47 second video I took of how the motor sounds? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKG1nWxti79sbtU

[@JaqueBampi]

Do you have a video explaining how to choose the best needle size for each machine?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

An interesting idea for a video for sure Jaque. I will have to look back at my past videos to see what, if any, I have covered on needles. Most home machines will allow a fairly broad array of needle sizes. What might be helpful is to explore which machines are best suited to certain fabrics. Some are better than others and needle size would definitely come into play for sure. For instance, although Singer Featherweights can use a fairly good variety of needle sizes, they have traditionally been used with light and some medium weight fabrics. Other models have the flexibility to sew much heavier weight material. I guess you could say that there is no one perfect machine.

[@conniefergerson3995]

Hi! I love your videos and watch all the time! I just recently purchased my first 201-2 and was wondering how to take the grease wicks out without damaging the springs? Thanks in advance.

[@ronalddaub9740]

Don't fix it if it isn't broke you should at least if you think the wicks aren't working clean the wicks with the solvent without getting it on the machine and leave them in there don't fix it if it isn't broke they were there for a reason

[@brendaclement6753]

I would very much like to know where I can purchase the oil bottle that you use. I like the long metal spout. Scoured the internet and could not find it.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi Brenda. I get mine at: shop.sew-classic.com/Bottle-with-Brass-Telescoping-Spout-EMPTY-NK2.htm Note that these are sold empty but you can get sewing machine oil locally and pour it into the bottle.

[@sarahkulinski2857]

A thought, we have a singer 301A which in the booklet states we should lube the motor area through a port. However, our machine underneath looks the same as this video and we see no port?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Very good question Sarah. I suspect that your manual was printed when the 301's motor's had ports. At some point in the production run, they made a change and no longer had grease (Singer lubricant) ports for the motors. So if your motor did not come with grease ports, then grease may not be called for.

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

How do you lub the motor. How do you check the belt? How do you get it to release to wind the bobbin without the machine trying to sew (when unlocking it does not work)?

[@ronalddaub9740]

You have to turn it upside down to get to the motor, the motor has little towers on top of each bushing . When you take the bottom plate off you will see where the motor takes lube you fill up the little Tower with motor lube

[@ronalddaub9740]

No belt

[@caprice_pete7983]

How do I thread it ?? I have the same one

[@ronalddaub9740]

Textalite??? I feel somewhat better. After seeing bakelite gear today I had to scrape crap out of

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, it was developed by GE for Singer. It is some type of hybrid Fiberglass resin and has proven very durable over time, but I would always work gently when cleaning it.

[@patg8932]

Why doesn't anyone show how to lubricate the motor?