Restored Vintage Singer 201-2 Sewing Machine w/ Potted Motor

[@foosu9976]

A gold star for you. Beautiful job on the restoration.

[@Mr.SLovesTheSacredHeartofJesus]

Another great video from you, my friend. I enjoy them all. You did a great job on this vintage Singer 201-2.

[@tobyssewingmachinerepair8949]

Thank you so much!

[@sewterie]

I rebuilt a parted one 201. I love sewing on it. Thanks for sharing.

[@lilimdreams]

It looks and sounds amazing! 😍 Would you consider making a video about how you retouched the shellac? I’d love more details.

[@mikeypotts4732]

This video seems to be the closest thing to his finish. I was wondering too, it looks so nice. Other people paint one layer on with a paint brush and it looks awful lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6m1eoOhr8yIiq8

[@lilimdreams]

@@mikeypotts4732 This video is fascinating! Thank you for sharing. :)

[@tobyssewingmachinerepair8949]

I have been tinkering with the idea of making such a video. I feel confident enough in my abilities, and enough people have asked for it, so I think I will!

[@TheMaggieMia]

Have recently purchased 1 from an estate sale, I am the 2nd owner, it’s in the original cabinet, knee/leg control, right side. The manual is a bit worn but it’s all there. I will be cleaning, oiling, replacing the light bulb and such this winter.

[@fuzzzyyellow]

Nice job with the restoration! I struggle with the shellac refurbish as well. Its not easy. My favorite vintage machine by far.

[@rhondaadams4013]

"This could be the machine for me" you say? Do you sell them? This one is a gem! It sounds amazing!

[@tobyssewingmachinerepair8949]

I sell them locally yes! These videos are mostly for people on Facebook or Kijiji near me who are interested. But some of them get a lot of views in general!

[@Amandarpark]

Hi, do you remember what thread you used for the denim?

[@ladyslippergrove]

Beautiful! What kind of shellac ?

[@TOBIAS-nn7vf]

Platina shellac (basically clear). I buy it in flake form and dissolve it in denatured alcohol. I buy from a company called Ardec in Quebec.

[@skaisprout7414]

Do you sell refurbished Singer 201-2 machines?

[@tobyssewingmachinerepair8949]

I sell all kinds of refurbished vintage sewing machines. I don't often get 201-2's, they are scarce in my area because this model was never made at the Canadian factory.

[@DJ-rx5lz]

I just bought a 201-2 restored to a beautiful look. But, it will not kick into a higher speed. Can you tell me which foot pedal you have hooked to your machine please.

[@cliftonmcnalley8469]

There are different reasons that your machine may be running slow. Was the motor completely rewired? I have yet to do mine, just inherited it a couple of weeks ago, but I ordered a foot control from Amazon. My machine was completely seized. I oiled with Triflow 2 days in a row and the entire machine released and is flying with the new foot pedal. Just waiting on the kit for the motor rewire. The original foot control wasn't with my machine.

[@mikeypotts4732]

How did you get that shellac finish so even and smooth? I assume you thinned it? Thanks for the video! Super sweet machine.

[@tobyssewingmachinerepair8949]

Thank you for watching! The trick to getting a smooth finish (I've found) is many thin coats with sanding in between. Also, using dewaxed shellac flakes is far superior to the pre-mixed canned shellac. I start with making a 2lb cut and slap a few coats on to build a good protective coating. Then I thin it to around a 1lb cut to get than nice even finish. It is very hard to get a smooth finish by hand, I have done maybe 6-7 machines and was only really satisfied with it 3 times. The pillar/arm of the machine always turns out better as the surface has not been scuffed/made uneven like the bed usually is. The best option would be to spray, but I have yet to try it as that would require a spray gun & covering/stuffing all the openings.

[@mikeypotts4732]

@@tobyssewingmachinerepair8949 Thanks a ton for the response, I appreciate you sharing all that! I never consider the flakes being a better option and sanding in between coats. I’ll def opt for the flakes then. And very clever with thinning the shellac mixture after however many coats! I’m sure that saves some time. Man thank you, I’m glad I read this before having gone through with it. It seems even more tedious than I thought lol. I know that took time to type, thank you!

[@tobyssewingmachinerepair8949]

@@mikeypotts4732 You're more than welcome! Mixing your own shellac from flakes is always a better option. Canned shellac stays good for about a year or less after opening. As it gets older, it takes longer to dry and doesn't cure as hard. Also, the canned shellac includes the natural wax which doesn't cure as hard as de-waxed shellac. With dewaxed flakes, your shellac will always be fresh, it's easier to work with, and you control the thickness. A few people have asked me for a video on french polishing a machine, so I think I will make one soon enough. Best of luck with your project!