The Oscillating Rock Shaft Oil Wick of the Singer Model 15-91

FELT CORD: www.mcmaster.com/felt-cords/
HILDIE & JO COTTON CORD: www.joann.com/jewelry-fundame...
About the oil wick in the oscillating Rock Shaft of Singer Model 15-91.
Where the wick is at and possible ways to clean it or replace it.
MUSIC: Stinson by Redd Mathis
00:00 INTRO
01:30 WHERE WICK IS
04:10 HOLE FOR WICK
05:10 HOW IT WORKS
06:10 BRAIDED COTTON WICK
08:44 TRYING COTTON CLOTHESLINE
11:14 TRYING 2.4mm COTTON CORD
14:14 TRYING TWISTED COTTON CORD
16:24 WHY USE COTTON WICK ANYWAY?
17:20 REMOVE ORS "CENTER" PART
21:48 TRYING TO INSTALL WICK ORS END
25:50 REINSTALL CENTER PART
29:15 USING A 1/8" WOOL WICK INSTEAD
33:30 WHAT HAPPENS IF NO WICK
34:30 WHERE TO OIL THE ORS

[@ryndl]

Megan, thanks for bringing this up! It seems there is no one paying attention to this anywhere on YT. The oil wick hole also has a weep hole that goes through to the shuttle race. On every VS machine i have restored this has been blocked by dirt and dried oil. A bent paper clip can be used to open it and a wick can be cut from a scrap of wool felt stuffed into the oil port which is under the front slide plate. Lets keep these beautiful old machines running for future generations to discover!

[@cristinas.5699]

I just bought a 15-91 and while I was cleaning it I did notice what appeared to be a wick on the underside of this machine. It is sticking out approximately 1/8”. I thought I would leave it alone until I knew more about this machine. Well low and behold as I’m sitting at ATL waiting for my flight, I came across this video of yours! I will need to investigate this wick further and see if it’s hard or deteriorating, and I will also use the suggestions of dropping some alcohol on it and then oil. I love learning from you💕

[@andytubesewing1953]

What are the chances, right? Glad you found the video. Chances are good the alcohol/oil will do it. Here are my other videos for this model:kzbin.info/aero/PLsCOZgzzaiKJftyGwzdDiWa9R6HFEACJo Have a good, safe flight, and take care.

[@carolemagnusson5044]

Aargh! Why don’t I listen to my own instructions, like don’t do anything on this machine until you see Andy do it! Well, when I first got this machine, I could not resist to find and look at all the places the oil wicks were. When I got to the ORS wick (I had one) I could not resist tugging and picking at it until it came out. I shoulda just left it in; it was not decaying or worn out or anything. I really like your solution for those of us who either pulled an existing good one or did not have one to begin with. I got a felt wick in, just like you did. I oiled the felt wick first, so it was relatively easy to shove it in and then make the loop and tuck that in. I did remove and reinstall the Center and mess around with that for awhile-I’m glad to gain those skills-so thanks for showing such clear instructions about those parts.

[@terrymcclean4582]

Carole, those are words to live by...don’t do anything on this machine until you see Andy do it

[@andytubesewing1953]

Your curiosity got the better of you, hehe. It must have been tempting to see the wick. You surely are not the only person who has done this. You're an experienced restorer now, Carole. What a great idea to oil the wick first 🏆 That never occurred to me. I wonder now if I might have gotten a cotton wick in there? Maybe next time. Good on you for R &R the Center. Now you know about that too. Thanks for sharing your experience and for watching my channel. Take care.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Terry, I think I just blushed 😊 Thank you.

[@SelenaTroyeSL]

Thank you for everything, Andy.

[@meganmills6545]

Now that's what I call a man on a mission! Clearly, from reading the comments, many people have fallen into the trap of removing that wick before and then (not being as persistent as you) have just not been able to get one back in. (That is, if they even realised they should.) So many people checking their Model 15s are going to find the oil wick hole empty. Thanks to you they now know what do. This is yet another oil wick on this machine I had no clue about at all. As an absolute last resort if someone just couldn't manoeuvre a wick "round the bend" and get the end turned over to sit double-thick in the hole in the fork then I guess it would still work to stuff a shorter length of thicker wick down into that hole as far as it will go. Oil would still get into it when you oil the oiling port and it would still distribute the oil to the fork bit-by-bit over time. The whole wick wouldn't be as big so the reservoir wouldn't last as long, but it would very likely still last long enough to serve well between regular oilings anyway. There is a "felt wick" hole in the old VS machines that has a tiny hole leading out of it onto the shuttle race (that's where all my cord is going - most of these old machines have the wick missing because people think it's old lint!). It essentially does the same job with every pass of the shuttle - that is, every stitch. It lasts very well between oilings in these machines even though the wick is only about 3/8" long. I don't blame you at all for not wanting to take the wick out of this one given the trouble to get it in. The best advice I've picked up from your video is, without a doubt, if you have a functioning wick you should leave it right where it is.. So you're setting the right example for us to follow now by doing exactly that! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can see you put a huge amount of time and effort, and ingenuity, into figuring out what we need to do if we ever find ourselves in this unfortunate situation.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Megan, thank you for sharing what you have encountered with wicks on other machines. I think the important idea is to get some kind of a functioning wick into the ORS. Commenters here have some good ideas about that from oil lamp wicks to cotton cloth. I agree about length also. A short wick holds more oil than we think it does, and would prevent the OSR from "running dry". I'm often surprised by the amount of oil that"clings" to metals parts. My wife recently oiled the edge of the bobbin case holder on Coco, her 301A, before altering a newly bought wedding gown. It was quite a project and she basically had to dismantle and resew about 75% of the dress. When she finished I volunteered to clean and oil the machine. (lots of tiny glitter particles around the feed dogs and hook area.) When I opened the bobbin case holder I was surprised there was still a good amount of oil film on the parts. This 15-91 is very interesting and I think I'm done with wicks. Yesterday I was practicing soldering in preparation for replacing the wire into the light socket. Oh, brother! Thanks for the nice comment and sharing. Take care.

[@richlovin2173]

Wow, very useful info. Now I can work on my two 15-91's. Thanks.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Welcome. "Ike" is my first and only 15-91. An impressive machine and I'm seeing why it is a favorite. Thanks for watching.

[@paulshaw5345]

Thanks Andy, My wife and I have 4 15-91's, and none of them came with the wicks. I will fit new wicks in them. I Subscribe to your videos; thank you for sharing more useful information than most.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks for the sub! I'm starting to realize more of these wicks are missing than I thought. I guess the machines are old enough that they've had a few people working on them by now. I think the wicks are a very good idea and can only keep the machines in service for longer times. This 15-91 I'm working on sure has smooth movements. Really impressive. Thanks for the comment and take care.

[@crowznest438]

Had no idea this was even a thing so thanks a bunch! If the wick is soft enough, when it is doubled over, possibly could put a loop of smaller but tough string over that center of the wick and pull it through with the smaller string. Assuming the softer wick would fit through the funnel. Anyway, if mine is missing, I'll try that.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I was surprised to find it, myself, haha. That's a good idea and maybe you can let us know if it works. Thanks for watching.

[@rachellmoultrie4883]

Thank you very much. Watching your videos has helped me understand my machines so much! I wish to !earn how to repair my own machines as the nearest sewing machine repair shop is in another state and my experience with them has been negative (they misplaced my block and petal which was a Bo Co model77, which has varietal speed.) Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I appreciate your comment, Rachell. I started making videos almost 8 years ago after finding very very few people were qualified or even interested in servicing vintage machines, but only wanted to sell you a modern one. I'm sorry they lost your pedal and I've heard of worse experiences. You can do your maintenance and repairs yourself for sure. If you have Singer machines I have almost 600 videos that may be of help. Thank you for keeping the machines you have and stop by anytime.

[@offthewalla4717]

I have one of these little beauties and had no idea about this. I don't use it much because it needs some work to rewire and I like my 201 better. I'm going to have to get it out and take a long hard look at it. Thanks for your work in solving this little known issue.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I think many folks are wondering about this wick now. My friend wrote that McMaster will be wondering why everyone is ordering 1/8" wool wick, haha. I think most machines will have the wick. It seems only some have been pulled out or rotted away, maybe from lack of oil. I appreciate your comment and that you watch my channel. Thank you.

[@offthewalla4717]

@@andytubesewing1953 I wondered what McMaster would be thinking too....as I was placing an order...

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@offthewalla4717 I'm laughing at the idea of the person packing them for shipment, hehe. Wondering what the heck is going on.

[@vs7089]

Thank you So very much for your continued patient restoration of fine sewing machines! This past August I was fortunate enough to purchase reasonably a singer 15-91 and on the way home as I was turning into my driveway a person paying attention to everything but driving slammed into the back end of my vehicle. I sustained a head injury and I’m still going to therapy for it, even putting this comment in is a struggle. I used to restore Sewing Machine‘s and the one I bought that day is waiting for me to recover and I am watching these videos to re-learn and learn for the first time things like this wick which I had no idea I needed to even look for or if I did my head injury made me forget. No doubt I will have to watch this many times but it is part of my recovery process and so I wanted to thank you again for your fine work and patience and thank you to your wife!

[@andytubesewing1953]

I started restoration work as a form of pain reduction and I have not stopped. The videos will be here when you are ready for them, no worries. You have a lot of power within you to overcome and move forward. Thanks for your comment.

[@vs7089]

@@andytubesewing1953 thank you for your encouragement I did check the 91-15 that we purchased that dreaded day of my accident and it fortunately does have a wick in place but was in need of oil. Hopefully someday soon I will have the opportunity and abilities to put a new wick in a machine for somebody.

[@vs7089]

Also, after oiling the wick it helped quiet the machine, that I’m calling Augusta since I got her in August Happy Healthy New Year.

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@vs7089 Let it be so 🙏

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@vs7089 Love that name! "Great, Magnificent, Majestic"; it fits well.

[@ryndl]

Did not know about this! I need to check my machine, thank you!

[@andytubesewing1953]

I was surprised to discover it too. Something that is service guys would check during an annual maintenance trip to their singer store. They're usually in good shape, but at least you know about it now. Thanks so much for watching my channel

[@michaelbean739]

General speaking, that was very informative. I like Ike

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thank you, Michael. I appreciate it.

[@terryjanisch905]

Merry Christmas Andy

[@andytubesewing1953]

✨🎄🎅 thank you, terry. Have a happy holiday season.

[@billmaguire6216]

The wick in 15-88 was crumbly so I took it out. I currently have nothing in it but was going to try to pull a wick through with a .030" welding wire and then try pushing it through the fork hole if I can, if not I will try installing it in the fork only. Fingers crossed. Thank you for this. I have my eye on a 15-91 north of me on Craigslist.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I knew folks would come up with other possibilities and you have. I hope your method works. There need to be something in there to hold and disperse the oil. Good luck with the possible 15-91 wherever "north of me" is 😉

[@aimee-made]

I have a 15-91 that is working but needs service (wiring, motor service). I'm so glad to know I need to attend to this aspect as well. A strategy I might try is to thread a sturdy cotton thread through the LENGTH of a wick which will be cut to quite a bit longer than necessary), I'll really compress and knot the front end, and then sew a button to the back end. Then I can probably tug on it without too much strain on the wick (strain will be on that thread and button), and it will stop because the button can't go through the hole at all. When it gets through, I can snip off the extra on the front end; the interior string will be loose at that point, so pull on the button, and the thread should slip out, leaving the wick behind. (I am at work right now and dying to dig out my 15-91 and see if it needs this!)

[@andytubesewing1953]

that's a very creative plan. Sounds doable, Aimee. Maybe you could record and post it on YT to share that idea? Here is my playlist of 17 videos for model 15-91 kzbin.info/aero/PLsCOZgzzaiKJftyGwzdDiWa9R6HFEACJo I covered most of the parts but became too ill to do the motor. Good luck, and thanks for watching.

[@aimee-made]

@@andytubesewing1953 I'll totally video it. I hope I can do a fraction of the good job of video that you do! (Well-lit, in focus... those things are almost more challenging than the sewing machine repair!) 🙂

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@aimee-made thank you, that would be great. Yes, I found that filming and editing uploading all that stuff was harder and took longer than the repair

[@randykoger4646]

Great video!

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks very much Randy. I appreciate you watching my videos 🙏

[@marydeignan2183]

Thank you Andy!

[@andytubesewing1953]

I appreciate you watching my channel. Take care.

[@JebbAdams]

Greetings to you mary deignan! Peace!

[@marydeignan2183]

@@JebbAdams Hi Jebb! I'll be working on machines this winter. Look forward to watching your channel too!

[@ralphwatten2426]

There's 1/8" braided cotton wick for something like table lamps for restaurants on Ebay in 6" lengths if that might work. Thanks Andy.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Others have commented about oil lamp wicks and kerosene lamp wicks also. Many of you have great ideas for possible solutions. I appreciate that you and others are taking the time to share the ideas. Thank you, Ralph.

[@documetricsinc.6135]

Andy, Happy New Year! I'm a new viewer and I just bought both a 15-91 and a 201-2, so your videos are of great interest to me and I find them extremely helpful. So, I have a suggestion to get the wick in the ORS. How 'bout inserting a thin wire though the wick port, push it through to the open end and twist it around the center of your new wick, then just pull it back through till the loop appears at the port? If I need to replace the wick, that's what I'll do and I'll let you know if it works. Keep these videos coming.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Two of the most loved models Singer made. Congratulations! I say go for it. I tried something similar but used a D Silk Thread instead of wire. My problem was I was trying it with the braided cotton cords which were too big, so they could not enter the port, or on the smaller one, I pulled hard enough to slice the cord in half. Looking back it may well have worked with the cotton string cord my wife braided. It may also work with wool felt cord, especially if it is preloaded with oil. I think it would compress better than the cotton. Yes, please, let us know how it goes. Congrats again on your machine acquisitions, and thanks for watching my channel.

[@lawrencethompson465]

Did you try the wire idea to get the wick into the oil port? Did you succeed? Thanks fir your reply.

[@mygrommi]

Oh, wow, Andy - I had no idea about this wick. I have two 15-91s so I need to check them, but I am not looking forward to this at all. I thought I was done restoring all my vintage machines and now you spring this on us. 😳 I have both machines situated nicely in their cabinets, but now I guess I’ll have to take the heavy beasts out and put them on the work table. 🤭. Seriously you are AMAZING and thank you so much for this video! Do you know if the Singer 201 has this same wick? If so, that means I’ll be doing three machines. 😫

[@andytubesewing1953]

"spring this on us". Well, speaking of springs... haha, just joking 😉 You may be able to see into the fork and tell if the wick is in place without removing the machine from the cabinet. Here's hoping, right? Sorry, I've never worked on a 201. I have a parts list for it and I do not see a wick like this. The 201 has a Rotary Hook though, and I don't think the Rock Shaft oscillates or has a slide block in the fork, so maybe there is no need for this wick on that model. Thanks for watching.

[@mygrommi]

@@andytubesewing1953 So, now I have checked all the wick locations on both my 15-91s that you’ve shown in your videos. I replaced a portion of one wick in one machine and all the others looked OK. So glad you taught us about the locations of all these wicks. This is great series, as usual. You are amazing!!

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@mygrommi Thank you, and thanks for keeping your machines in service. We both learned about the wicks on this machine; some that I've never encountered before. Take care.

[@cristinas.5699]

The 201 has a wick about an inch long in both grease tanks.

[@Mickey-jo1hf]

This is great Andy. Thanks so much for sharing. I found this is looking for braided wick replacement on a 301 top plate, that set of 3 holes that I thought were plugged and found tiny folded braided wick. I can t get it back in lol.

[@andytubesewing1953]

You're lucky they were still in the machine. Most of the machines I restored were missing the original wicks. I used to cut small pieces of vintage spool pin felts to stuff in the holes, haha. Soaking the felt in oil helped me a lot. I hope you saw my 301A videos, 1 19-video playlist for Coco kzbin.info/aero/PLsCOZgzzaiKLZyGebzS_oISgesXNyREyI and a 17-video playlist of Techincal remove, replace, adjust kzbin.info/aero/PLsCOZgzzaiKI_6fbu3itbd1v4z3uQvvkO Happy sewing, and thanks for watching my channel.

[@musingsonlifeandotherfleet4121]

Possibly could send a looped strong, fine nylon out plastic or fish line down through the hole. Then put your braided cotton loop through the fish line loop and pull your cotton loop up through the hole.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I had the same thought but used a silk fishing line. I just could not get the fold of the wicks I tried into the hole in the fork. I did NOT try this by the time the Mrs. gave me the braided cotton wick and I think it may have worked as the twisted cotton string she braided seems more compressible. In the end, the wool wick I put in seems to be working fine at keeping a light coating of oil inside the fork and onto the slide block. I guess time will tell. Thanks for sharing your suggestion, and for watching my channel.

[@musingsonlifeandotherfleet4121]

@@andytubesewing1953 love you videos. Thank you so much.

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@musingsonlifeandotherfleet4121 😊

[@TealCheetah]

Fingers crossed the wick in mine is salvageable. If not, Im going to try threading smaller string through the wick hole, and using that to pull the wick up into place.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I tried using waxed floss but it broke. I recently heard from a friend who used an oil lamp wick which is woven like a hollow tube. He said it flattened down and was easy to pull in and then expanded back to the tube shape and appears to hold the oil nicely. When I tried the floss I think the new wick was too large a diameter. Good luck,

[@artillerybuff2000]

Wow, just found your channel, what a wonderful source of information! Just searched through all of your video titles and was unable to find the one I need. I have a Singer 319 and a 320 with very loose cloth timing belts. I want to install new rubber belts but am reluctant to take these beautiful machines apart without some expert assistance. Can you help? Thank you very much!

[@andytubesewing1953]

I've never seen those models, or worked on them, so I can't giver personal instructions. I do have the service manual for the 319 and it shows instructions for replacing the belt, words & pictures. If you email [e-mail] I'll send it to you.

[@ecay]

I would replace it and here's my reason for it. Cotton does not last well at all. It breaks down after a few years so even if it's good in the middle it may not be good on the ends where you're needing to get oil to the ends to to lube the ends, so replace it. I've seen people on here do it with fishing line and it gets replaced. Really easy 1/8 in farm felt wick is what I've seen them use and it was really simple and easy and that way they make sure that the oil wick gets to where it's supposed to remember. Cotton is a natural fiber. It's going to break down over time. Same thing with felt in 20 years. 30 years. Definitely 60 years. It's going to have to be replaced again. In fact, I would replace all the wicks that you can replace. It's cheap. It's not expensive and it's not hard to do but it does make a world of a difference in how the machine works

[@RKParK1]

Does this machine produce a chain stitch vs a lock stitch? Hopefully those terms are correct

[@andytubesewing1953]

This machine only produces a lock stitch which is made by the needle thread wrapping around the bobbin thread

[@connieworcester55]

HA, the 15-91 I just bought today has that wick still in it. yay,, I was cleaning out the dust bunnies, and dust buffalos, and at first I thought the wick sticking out was lint, then I realized it was a wick,.. so I oiled it, and put oil in the port.. then a couple hours later I see this video.. Thanks for the detailed video. My recent 15-91 is a 1952, but It has no foot pedal, so I need to find one. This 15-91 is not in a cabinet, it's a bentwood case. my question is, does the 3 prong plug have the electric outlet plug, and the foot pedal all together? I have another 15-91, but it is in a cabinet, so it is set up different. guess I need to do some research.. love your videos.. thank you

[@andytubesewing1953]

"outlet plug & foot pedal all together"? Yes, it does on the only 15-91 I've worked on. It's also called a "Double Lead" power cord. One long cord with the plug at one end and the foot controller at the other. In the middle is the 3-prong receptacle the plugs into the machine. Example: www.vintagesingerparts.com/search?q=15-91+cord

[@connieworcester55]

Thank you .

[@mariamarfil1620]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️

[@andytubesewing1953]

🙏 thank you

[@adolforosado]

My wife is always right...

[@andytubesewing1953]

Words of wisdom spoken by a very wise man 👍

[@r.duroucher225]

You might want to try a wick for a kerosene lamp.

[@andytubesewing1953]

A nice suggestion if I run into this again. Thanks for sharing.