Rewire and Grease a Vintage Sewing Machine: Singer model 15 ( 15-91 )

Rewire and grease a vintage sewing machine on this 1954 Singer model 15 ( 15-91 ) vintage sewing machine.
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0:00 Intro & Subscribe
0:14 Project Recap & Initial Test
0:40 Electrical Diagram
0:57 Electrical Wiring
12:54 Grease Gears
17:26 Final Test
#wiring #electricalwiring #vintagesewingmachine #oldsewingmachine #vintagesingermachine #singersewingmachine #sewingmachine #singer1591 #singermodel15 #singer15 #sewingmachine #singersewing #rewiremachine #rewiresewingmachine
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Disclaimer:
This video is for demonstration and entertainment purposes only. All viewers must take responsibility for their own choices and actions. The creators of this video and anyone recorded in the video are not responsible and do not assume any responsibility for all purchases, damage, injury, death or dismemberment resulting from the performance of any operation in this video. Use the proper parts, specifications and safety procedures for your own application.

[@cathrynkiesewetter4682]

My husband just found a 1936 15-91 in a gorgeous mahogany table with knee control. The only trouble, the wiring! Thank you so much for this very detailed video! ❤❤

[@debmeyer3194]

I was so excited to find this video. My husband's mother had this exact model and all the wiring was rotten. Now my husband will be able to help me get it running again.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for sharing your feedback. The before and after with just new wires was like night and day for the machine in this video. Hope it’s the same for your machine.

[@tomwells6499]

I have two of these beauties and one has fared much worse than the other where wiring is concerned. Even though I have a "known good" to compare any rewire to I have been wary of starting the project. I'm sure your video will give me the confidence to procede. Thanks so much!

[@robinj.9329]

The mechanical engineering that went into these Classic or "Vintage" sewing machines is absolutely amazing! I've seen old 15-91 or 201-2 machines that were left "stored" in an old wet, drafty attic or garage that on first glance appeared ready for the "Boneyard". But, in the hands of an expert; were soon restored to full functionality and put right to work! The electrical systems were so simple and basic, anyone with a work space, some tools and a little knowledge can "Resurect" even a 1930's model with just a few hours of work. I always look for them at Flea Markets, Yard Sales and Auctions. They are definitely worth saving!

[@TryAdaptLearn]

I agree completely. Even as a home version, these machines were truly designed to work and last. And to think that this model was most likely designed without the use of cad or a computer.

[@davidpena6211]

I own three Singer Class 15’s: 15-91’s, a 15-125. Am using thy-125 for spare parts, and refurbished both my-91’s. And learned about how best to rewire them watching your videos. Am Very Thankful in your sharing these repairs. Thank You.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Glad the video was helpful for you. Thank you very much for your feedback.

[@deelee6175]

Outstanding! Your video is well done and instructions concise! I have a new confidence to require my 2 vintage machines. Step by step is possible! Play…Pause…Do, REPEAT! Thank you! Liked and subscribed 👍🏼

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you. Really appreciate the feedback about the video and support for the channel.

[@libbyboss]

This is so helpful! I have a Singer 66 that needs to be rewired. I'll keep this video up while I work on it.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

That’s great. Thank you for watching and leaving feedback. Good luck with your machine.

[@kimcastle4081]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. I have too much to learn, to try to work on my re-wired Singer 101-3 (1929), but I'm fascinated by the process. Thank you for helping to keep an old beauty running.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for your feedback. It’s good to see how well designed & built these machines were considering the time period they came from and how long they have lasted.

[@carolemagnusson5044]

It was very interesting to see your methods for rewiring and greasing. Thanks for posting this video. I do want to point out that you have installed the stop motion clamp washer backwards (at about minute 17:03). The three nubs do face outward. See “Adjusters Manual for Machine 15-91”, page 21. Or see any Singer’s Service Manual for vintage machines that have these same parts.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for pointing this out. It makes sense so that the studs are able to work with the clamp screw. It is also interesting that when flipped over (backwards): 1. Singer machined the tabs to hold the stop motion clamp washer flat with 90 degree angles where it contacts and beveled on the other side. 2. The studs are machined very close to the size of the notch near the center of the balance wheel (although only one instead of three).

[@benzcrazy]

Great video thanks so much , I’m restoring a machine discarded and it will need rewired so this helps ,what a great machine with a gear drive ,I have never seen a sewing machine with a gear drive

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for watching and leaving feedback. Good luck with your machine.

[@thesuicidewalrus415]

Soooo helpful. Thank you sir. Great job on the video!

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Glad the video heled, thank you for leaving feedback.

[@andrewderocle]

When I removed my maintenance caps below the worm gear, I have a spring holding a grease wick in each port. Not sure if they are important but another step in teardown process for those who have em

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for sharing this. I’m sure they are important. I think every part in these machines had a purpose. Maybe they were lost or never replaced with the machine in the video.

[@JuliaRtv50]

As so do I who has taken interest in DIYvintage sewing machine restoration, I really need to see you do this in regular speed and preferably live or with you recording as you go. Thanks for sharing

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for your feed back. This was a fun project and glad you watched it. We're still working on speed in the videos.

[@cliftonmcnalley8469]

Found your video very interesting as you took the time to show soldering, heat shrink tubing, crimping in detail for those of us that haven't done these tasks before. I'm watching as many videos as possible before I begin work on my 71 year old 201-2. I did not see you replace the wicks into the two grease pots inside the motor. There is only one vendor in the U.S. that sells this product (that I can find) and the name escapes me at the moment. You also must buy a minimum of 5 feet when you only need about 2 inches per motor. However, a vendor on ebay sells a kit for $18, specifically for rewiring these potted motors. It contains not only the wire and the solder, but also correct size and type of wicks and a correct grommet. Bit expensive if you plan on doing multiple machines as a hobby, but great for someone like me only doing one machine or for someone just starting out and wanting to see tried'n'true examples.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for watching and leaving the feedback. Really appreciate your details about the parts for the motor. It's worthwhile to know wherever there are still parts available for these vintage machines.

[@sebastianocano3289]

Very nice video, thanks for sharing!

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for watching and writing feedback.

[@terrigelbaum8066]

Vasoline works great. I've never had a problem with Vaseline .............Good vid.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you and thanks for the tip about the vasoline.

[@pipperwest]

This is a great video. I now have to figure out iif my brush tube ( threads are female) needs to be replaced or it is an old cap. I don’t know where to get them for my 191J

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for your feedback. Hopefully it’s the cap since it’s a replaceable part. Maybe your caps might be the same size as another model, hopefully a parts retailer could help you cross reference parts for your machine.

[@donandbarbniemann8058]

Thank you so much. It was very interesting to see you do this operation. I need to find someone to do this for me and now I understand what will be done. Do you have a way that I can find someone in eastern Tennessee to do this. I live near Kingsport. Any help will be much appreciated. I just got a 1941 Singer 15-19. It is mint except for the wiring. Barb Niemann

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for writing feedback. Unfortunately, I do not know anyone around that area. If it were me I’d call up a sewing/fabric shop that sells singer machines, if they don’t do rewiring maybe they may have a contact. Also maybe a working or retired electrician or electronics technician may be able to help.

[@lindahanke]

Great video. I have my grandmother’s/and mother’s 15-91 with a knee lever that has the knew motor controller. I had the machine serviced by my local Singer dealership and even though they said they would rewire the machine including the knee lever controlling motor (part #193647) but when I picked it they hadn’t Re-wired. Do you offer repair and re-wiring service on these machines? New subscriber.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for your feedback. Unfortunately, I do not offer services. Hopefully you will be able to find another sewing machine repair shop and/or vintage machine restoration. If you have electrical work done on the machine in the future, maybe do a check with images in front of them before and after also have them plug in the machine and they operate it before you take it home.

[@stevel9353]

You may need a different lubricant for the two holes in the motor. It needs to melt to do it's job. The Singer 15-91 manual calls for "Singer motor lubricant". The manual for my 1927 Singer 101-3 recommends Vaseline.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you so much for the tip. Singer 2129 Lubricant was used in this video.

[@stevel9353]

I'm no expert. These are links to more information. singer-featherweight.com/collections/shop/products/sew-retro-grease m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoDGm5Whms-MlZI m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5SkeH56iqhjhK8

[@kimcastle4081]

Hello Steve L, I have a Singer 101-3 from 1929. It was worked on by a local repair person, but gums up immediately when the motor runs. Have you had to deal with that with your 101? They seem rarer than other models, so not so many videos available for me to learn from. I worry that maybe an improper lubricant was used in the past.

[@acestu]

Hi, I wonder if you could help me please, I am trying to rewire a Singer 457 but before I can, I have to work out how it is working because I can't find any internal wiring diagrams showing how they work, from what I can work out the internal motor is insulated from the machine using Nylon components and has one side permanent live and the other side seems to be variable neutral through the foot switch, also the capacitor is across the motor terminals, would you agree with this ?

[@TryAdaptLearn]

I am sorry but I am not familiar with the electrical circuit on a Singer 457 I have only seen pictures of the machine with the case, bottom with belt drive or top view with the gear. I can't see enough detail to comment about the wiring.

[@esther8897]

I like this, but i have a Singer 201K which is different from this. Have you ever done a rewire and grease on a Singer 201K I would love to see a video for this. :)

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for your feedback, I have not rewired a 201K yet. It's possible that they may be wired similar but, please keep in mind most important thing about rewiring these machines is they are 2 prong and do not have a third ground wire, so before you plug it in, you want to check your wiring with someone who knows about household electricity.

[@esther8897]

@@TryAdaptLearn Thank you! I will use a residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB). :)

[@philipjjm]

What grease,is it just white lithium grease.Any brands you recommend.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

I believe this is the Singer branded lubricant (grease). It came in small quantity but luckily, didn't need that much.

[@pamelaleitman9305]

Can you talk about how to restore parts on singer 128k EF180726 1949 ? It needs wiring . Thank you.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Unfortunately, I cannot at this time. The vintage singer machine in this video was purchased used and repaired in preparation for be used by someone else.

[@philipjjm]

Is it just white lithium grease or any additive added to it.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

I believe this is the Singer branded lubricant (grease).

[@evelyndesjardins8551]

How long does it take to rewire this machine (real time)?

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for your question. I think that with the tools and parts (new wire), the actual labor would be about an hour for anyone that is taking their time and doing this as a diy project. It could be double the time if you are brushing/cleaning internal parts and/or have to gather more tools/parts in the middle of the process.

[@JuliaRtv50]

Are you able to provide me a copy of your diagram so I can follow while rewiring mine?

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Please understand that the diagram is a reference only for the machine in the video. All other machines may have different wiring and you must take responsibility for your own wiring. I have posted the image to the TryAdaptLearn website, on the web page linked below. You may also be able to pause the video at 0:40 to view the Electrical Diagram. tryadaptlearn.com/Video/Content/101/wwzsbvIitVc/Sewing/Rewire-and-Grease-a-Vintage-Sewing-Machine---Singer-model-15-(-15-91-)

[@JuliaRtv50]

@@TryAdaptLearn ok I do understand just wanted to get an idea I’m a visual learner I guess. I apologize for the questions. Thank You

[@rhondahoadley6186]

What guage of wiring did you use? Did you use the same guage for the motor, light, and foot pedal?

[@HooliganwithHeart]

Not exactly the correct way to service a motor, close though.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Thank you for your feedback mentioning this. The motor was not serviced. As seen, the brushes and wiring to the motor are still in installed. The main idea was to share how this sewing machine was rewired since the insulation was cracked on the electrical wiring. The grease was added since the machine was open.

[@HooliganwithHeart]

Rewiring a vintage machine should always include a service and the relevant electrical tests to determine if it's safe to carry on with the wiring. The video also showed what looked to be a damaged carbon brush which was left in place? Leaves a lot of unanswered questions in my opinion.

[@pamelaleitman9305]

Can you talk about how to restore parts on singer 128k EF180726 1949 ? It needs wiring . Thank you.

[@TryAdaptLearn]

Unfortunately, I cannot at this time. The vintage singer machine in this video was purchased used and repaired in preparation for be used by someone else.