Vintage Sewing Machine Restoration

Restoring my grandmother's Singer (185J) RFJ8-8 sewing machine, transforming the old beat up cabinet into a beautiful yet functional piece of furniture. According to my information, this model was made exclusively in Canada and the UK, from the late 1950's to mid 1960's.

[@ryndl]

Its a model 185j or 185k. J suffix made in St Johns Canada, k suffix are made in Great Britain (Kilbowie Scotland). You read the number on the motor which is only the motor model. Singer used a variety of motors and each had a different number. Its a very good machine, keep it oiled and it will last forever. Nice restoration!

[@kitty8204]

Wow! Bravo! A lot of work but a beautiful result

[@pearlinejones9693]

I have my mom’s cabinet here. It is exactly like the cabinet in this picture. The spring lever that supports the shelf that holds your fabric while you sew is missing on hers. I can’t find one anywhere. It’s the lever that pops out automatically when you fold the fabric support table down. What is the correct name for that piece. I’ve been searching eBay, sewing parts online, etc. I see a part of it that’s left still attached to the underside of the inner cabinet, but there is no lever nor spring. Yours turned out absolutely beautifully.

[@rensonsyard]

Thank You! I'm not sure how one could find replacement parts for the cabinet. I have the original paperwork, but unfortunatly they are only for the sewing machine, with no mention of the cabinet or it's parts.

[@Chowah]

You did a great job!!

[@annmargaret6992]

Dear Bensen, hello. I have a Singer 1960 Rocket 327K, and I am looking for a table to put my Rocket sewing machine in. I am in my late 90s and I still sew. I live on a limited income, could you tell me what you played for this. ? And Lad you did a lovely job on this, I wish you would show more videos on these finds. Thank you so much! Ann

[@rensonsyard]

The machine has been in the family for many years. My grandmother received it as a wedding gift and passed it down to me when she downsized her apartment and had no room to keep it any longer.

[@SewTexas]

Beautiful work, julst like brand new.

[@Myriamour]

Vraiment impressionnant!!! Awesome job Olivier! :)

[@willavila7561]

a lovely job on this. can you tell us the brand/type of stain and varnish that you used? btw i don't think taking off the veneer was a bad choice. to each his own and your piece turned out beautiful.

[@rensonsyard]

Thank you! I used Minwax 'Special Walnut' stain, followed by some Varnish "Nano Defence" Clear Floor Finish that I had leftover from another project.

[@johnclayton1026]

nice job and no latex

[@nataliasatelier6644]

She's a beauty! I'd love to have her. You did a great job! (came here from AtomicShrimp)

[@5paceboundrocketshi9]

How did you remove the veneer off all the pieces?

[@rensonsyard]

It came off pretty easily using a metal scraper 2:55

[@5paceboundrocketshi9]

Lucky I have the exact same sewing table and I tried to take the veneer off and couldn't get it off as well as you. Still standing to get the remaining bits off, even gouged some of the wood trying.

[@freedom0022]

Why the music

[@prasannapuli366]

How much cost

[@rensonsyard]

It was free! The stain, varnish and fabric were leftovers from other projects. But I'm sure you could pick all those up, and some sand paper, for less than $50.

[@petmomful2260]

Wow, you did a beautiful job! My son gave me an old Kenmore he found in a shed at his "new" house. I am going to clean it up today. What about the inside workings? Did you have to fix anything inside, or just oil it?

[@rensonsyard]

Thanks! Luckily the insides of my machine were in excellent condition, just needed a good clean and a bit of oil

[@petmomful2260]

@@rensonsyard I just cleaned and oiled mine, and she seems to be in pretty good shape. She is olive green! lol I think she is a treasure!

[@petmomful2260]

Uh oh, feed dogs are going up and down, presser foot pressure is on max, but it is not pulling fabric thru. Any ideas? I am willing to take it to a shop if I have to.

[@rensonsyard]

I'm certainly no expert, but it may have something to do with the stitch length setting. Good luck!

[@petmomful2260]

@@rensonsyard Thanks. I watched a few videos on it and they said that, too. I worked with that awhile and took the length off of zero, but it didn't help. I live near a repair shop so I will just take it in. She is worth saving. Thanks for responding.

[@tigergoldgto]

Your video is a lesson on how NOT to restore furniture. By removing all the veneer yiu exposed the base wood which is the cheapest, no-grain wood used to construct furniture. The veneer that was on the table looked like a beautiful maple which was far superior to the sub-strata wood you exposed. No amount of Minwax staining can replace the fine veneer you destroyed. The missing veneer could have been easily patched and, done correctly,, would have been hardly noticeable.

[@1911olympic]

I quite agree. It was bordering on sacrilege. He destroyed a beautiful cabinet, which could easily have been restored to its original luster.