Just bought a singer sewing machine and table after years of hunting one down thank you for restoring tips

I've been enjoying your channel. Typically, what you're trying to achieve is known as a 'wash coat' of shellac. A wash coat is generally more dilute than Shellac comes in the can (I believe the can is either 2 or even 3 "pound cut"). A wash coat is generally diluted with denatured alcohol to a 3/4 pound cut. As you mentioned, this helps even the surface and decrease splotching but it won't build a film. Now, since you are applying it to a table with some of its finish still on, perhaps the thicker shellac here is the best strategy to fill things in. Just thought I'd share - hope it's helpful. (I myself do more woodworking, but I came across a 1948 Singer 66 with walnut table for $25. So here I am to learn from you how to overhaul it).

@livewiya

4 жыл бұрын

A more dilute concentration of shellac will also dry more quickly!

@VintageSewingMachineGarage

4 жыл бұрын

Great idea. Thank you for the tip!

@VintageSewingMachineGarage

4 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate the suggestion. Now that I think about it, the old painters I sold Sanding Sealer to in the past used to do that very thing. They knew how much to "Cut" the sealer to get it to penetrate the wood without building up too heavy a film since they were going to sand it down to prep for finish coats. Yes, we all learn from each other!!

Looks like you’ve got a good technique there. I may try it on my inherited Kenmore’s cabinet. (My folks kept their bedroom coffee maker on the top of the cabinet which steamed off a good portion of the finish.)

Love shellac use it to seal all my wood here at home! And for all projects too! 👍🏽

Must try this on my 1950s Singer cabinet that the finish is crackling on the back and a few areas that have worn around the machine bed. Was going to sand back and varnish but will see if this is a better and easier fix. Love your videos.

This wood veneer covers scratches. Interesting and leaves the wood renovated. Work leaves the furniture of the sewing machine perfect and new.

I have a 1898 treadle coffin-top that is very sun bleached. Have you covered a cabinet like that? Your videos give me some confidence to start on the finish of a couple of my machines!

@VintageSewingMachineGarage

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Anna. I have not had many fading issues with sewing tables, but I know it can happen given where I've seen it on other kinds of furniture. You might try the Restore-A-Finish to see if it can help with the fading. It will depend on the condition of the lacquer covering the stain color on your piece.

How do you tighten up wobbly legs on a '40's sewing cabinet?

@risa122276

3 жыл бұрын

When you flip the cabinet over, how are the legs attached? You can tighten screws or use filler to rebuild stripped holes, or washers and larger bolts. You can also make small prisms of wood and glue them into the corners marrying the leg to the frame.

This is an odd question, but I took a table apart to refinish it and for the life of me cannot figure out how to attach the swing arm again. It was super rusted I needed to clean it up. Would you be able to attach a picture of the under side of this table so I can see how to reattach the arm? I really appreciate it.

@The_Tempest_1610

3 жыл бұрын

Kristie Linn Hi. I have a similar table that I would like to take apart to fix up. Can you please tell me if the legs come apart? Or does only the top come off?

This cabinet is identical to my Mothers Singer machine. What is this cabinet number? I have my Mother’s sewing machine and my Grandmother’s. Both are in perfect condition and have been in my home. Both machines are from early 1950’s. My Grandmothers is dated April 1951.

Was the shellac wash you used a particular colour?

@VintageSewingMachineGarage

4 жыл бұрын

This one was clear, but they also sell an Amber color.

Does this affect the value in an older machine? Will it hurt the value in any way? Or should you leave the table original?

@VintageSewingMachineGarage

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Victor. It depends on what you consider presentable shape. I highly prefer to preserve what is there vs. recoating/sealing. Sometimes though, the finish is so far gone that I will do what is possible to improve it without fully refinishing. This is really a difference in aesthetic preference. Where you REALLY want to take pause when considering how much reworking to do on a table would be if you had something highly rare or collectible. The resale value would possibly be highly impacted by any changes you made.

@victorjones1995

3 жыл бұрын

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage awesome thank you so much! I just got it yesterday its a Singer its in very good condition just a few nicks on the legs but everything works great on it! My wife was bugging me about wanting to paint it and i made it very clear that i was agaisnt that idea until I figure out exactly what i have and if it will change the value of the machine. Haha so my research has begun

@victorjones1995

3 жыл бұрын

So i looked up the serial number and its a 1952 model