Restoring a Vintage Singer 15K Sewing Machine - Part 1

This 1949 Singer 15K sewing machine has spent many years folded into its treadle table and stored in a garage. The machine was filthy, seized and suffering from corrosion. In this video i show you how to strip the machine down, free it up and start to clean it, bringing back some of its original glory.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.

I hope you enjoy this video and find it useful. if you do please give it a like and don't forget to subscribe, if you haven't already. - so you don't miss the rest of this series.
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#curio #crafttutorial #sewing

[ragdollyally]

I’ve bought a 1906 15k today and have thoroughly enjoyed this video - twice now - and wanted to thank you! It’s beautifully shot and makes me see that I’ll be able to follow along and get mine thoroughly clean too. Now off to watch part 2! 😊

[Thespiansewist]

I am sure the spirits of the former singer sewing users are standing around the table
watching you as you bring this wonder machine back to life

[moragcrichton]

This has been so useful to see, step by step how to take the machine apart for cleaning . Part two, reassembling has been equally vital for me.
I found a 102 year old 15 K in a charity warehouse, filthy rusty and unloved. It has the Sphinx decal design. Could not resist it. I hope mine ends up as good looking as yours eventually 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[joehoward]

I have bought a singer 15 and I'm waiting for it to be delivered, this vid is going to be so useful when I get to restore it. It comes with the foot pedal mechanism and table with a wooden cover for the sewing machine...can't wait to get started.

[rhondaadams]

This is the best cleaning video I've seen on the vintage sewing machines. This is the only video that covers all I needed to see. I would love to take apart and clean to this degree the sewing machine I inherited, but I am certain I would never be able to put it back together.

[marjohnsmusings]

Brilliant! We don't get pink stuff near me, so I used 000 steel wool and 1500 sand paper on my chrome parts, the needle shaft and presser bar. I had to remove a great deal of rust and corrosion under the machine. My dog feed screws were seized, so I did not strip that down yet. I feared I would strip out the screw tops or my wrists. It has been oiled for two weeks now so I may try again. Here in the US 'paraffin' is a synthetic liquid wax used in wick lamps during blackouts. You have a wonderful voice, calm and certain, reassuring really. I think I could listen to you read the phone book. Informative tutorial, thank you very much.

[michellegatenby]

Fabulous video, thank you so much for such a comprehensive explanation. I will be watching this video and the next many times while I try to resurrect my grandmothers machine.

[sandymckellar]

Hello from Canada. Your videos are fantastic. I just discovered you today, and I've already watched 5 of them. Great photography. When I take a machine apart, I use a cardboard egg carton to place all my bits into (like with like). The nice thing is that the cardboard absorbs excess oil or water while you're working, and allows you to keep small items together. When I was still a novice I would label each compartment, but I find that isn't necessary any more. Can't wait to see what else you have in store for 2021. Would love to see motor rehab videos! Thanks for doing what you do. You are fabulous.

[TheLballou]

I know that this video is two years old, but have to say that I reconditioned my 1950 Singer following the sequence in this video. It now sews wonderfully well! Thank you so very much. I have sewn for years and never thought that I could service mu own machine!

[goodairin]

Interesting, and well done. I learned plenty, and your speaking was clear, with a pleasing tone and style. Thank you!

[donniehopkins]

The very best restoration video on vintage sewing machines I’ve seen on you tube. Very nice..

[periwinkle]

you are wonderful. GREAT video, great demonstration, clear, excellent instruction!

[johnmeier]

I have a 1921 singer 1591 model, the sphinx decals are nearly perfect but so dirty. Thanks for making the video very helpful for me !!

[NutsyLaRue]

Thanks for mentioning the equivalent US products - I've been clicking from this video directly over to Amazon to add to my cart :-)

[pointphotography]

Brilliant tutorial on how to restore a 15K - I would have been stuck many times without this guide and by following all the steps we now have a fantastic looking machine that previously had been gathering dust in the garage for 25 years!!! The engineering on these machines is just amazing - can you imagine repairing something bought today in 90 years time? Thanks again for all your knowledge and perfectly explained steps. This has been a great lockdown 2.0 project :-)

[juanitabonita]

I am keen following you to restore my machines. Thanks for the wonderful videos you make.

[mikes]

A well described restoration process. You gave an excellent clear tutorial.

[Lady-Seawulf]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! Your video is the best I've seen on how to restore a Treadle machine. I've had a Treadle machine sitting in the spare room waiting to be restored (its been at least 5 years since I last looked at it By using your tutorial, hopefully I can take it one small step at a time to work on it (if my husband doesn't take over). Thank you for complete instructions!!!!

[dyana]

Poor thing left to unwanted. Too bad. Thanks for bringing this back to life.

[carolineroy]

I followed your videos, part 1 and part 2, and I managed to restore my sewing machine! You are an excellent teacher…thank you so much.