Kindly welcome the newest member of the family.

 This is Gracie-Gertie (G.G.), a 1948 Kenmore with only 68,472 miles.  The previous owner, a little old lady from Pasadena, only sewed on Sundays.

Gigi weighs about 837 pounds and will be used primarily for string piecing / crumb piecing QOV tops.

 When first seen at the thrift store, I asked permission to plug it in and ran a test, then got the serial number.

I came home, did a lot of research, found this great site (thank you Zorba), and also looked up the prices on parts needed including light bulb, bobbins, etc.

Thankfully, Sewing Parts Online, has everything, but are closed today due to an ice storm.

It even does machine quilting.

See the small black wheel next to the chrome wheel, that's a motor pulley on a 1/4" shaft.  It needs replacing.  This is a rotary machine (no belt) and those 2 wheels are what make the machine run.

Threading it is a bit tricky at first.  There's a tiny horizontal spring that the thread must go through.

 I'm having a bit of trouble with getting the bobbin to stay in.  Need to work on that.

Zorba mentions disassembling the motor, cleaning the brushings of any heavy, solidified grease, and re-lubricating the motor.

I had plans to show pictures of that process, until Gigi landed full force on my right pinky finger, crushing the tip, causing extensive bleeding and swelling, and generally messing up my day.

Thankfully, my dear neighbor came to the rescue.  He showed me exactly what a brushing was, disassembled the motor, then told me how to clean it, etc.

 When this black non-metal screw is removed, the spring and brushing come out.  There are 2 non-metal black screws, one on the top and one on the bottom of the motor.

There are 2 brass screws under the motor which come off also.

 After unplugging the motor of course.

I did not have to undo any of the electrical wires attached to the motor.  I did make sure the sewing machine was unplugged before starting this process.

The top copper section of the motor was cleaned with alcohol.  Varnish is used on the motor and must be cleaned with a non-abrasive solution.  Q-tips were used to clean inside the motor casing, and then I lubricated the motor casing felt.  There are also 2 screw pins that have inside lubricating wicks (seen in the above photo on opposite sides of the motor).   The book says to use Vaseline on those.

Of course, all moving metal gear parts were thoroughly oiled as per Zorba's instructions.

If you have this machine or wish to buy one similar and want to know more, just e-mail me.  

And for heaven's sake please don't drop it on your fingers.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .