Sunday, August 7, 2011

flea market finds - smokin'


(a cautionary tale...)


I bought this gorgeous 70's Singer Sewing machine a couple of months ago at a church fete... it had one of those "not tested for electrical safety" stickers on it, but the nice man said that they do try out the electrical items and only sell ones that work, and it was really cheap...

I was so excited, but a bit nervous to try her out, because I really wanted her to work... so she sat safely in a corner of my room while I waited for a quiet time to test her out.

That time came a week ago - I cleared the dining table, found some fabric and thread, followed the threading info I'd downloaded, and plugged her in.


And she worked - with a lovely gentle purr... but the tension wasn't quite right, so I did a few more test runs...

and then she clunked...

and then I noticed smoke rising up from her base...

and then I quickly unplugged her and carried her outside before she burned the house down...

and now I'm trying to work out how to safely "retire" her, without anyone else risking electrical fire... any ideas?

For (probably safer) finds, visit Sophie.

10 comments:

Cathy said...

oh darn!!!! That is really too bad. Can you take her to a recycling depot?

ladychiara said...

Had you thought about seeing how much it would cost to repair her? If electrical items are unsafe I always cut the cords off before disposing of them. Not sure how you would safely dispose of her. Perhaps a stick on label saying unsafe to use?

Allana said...

Do you have a local machine repairer? It could be worth getting it checked it may have just been ansimple wire burning out from dust etc? Failing that maybe someone wants it for parts (giveaway in paper maybe) or def either cut the power cord and put safety stickers on.

Lea said...

ohhh no! that is such a shame.

Vintage Sweetheart said...

what a bummer!

Hope you can find a solution.

E :)

CurlyPops said...

Ohhh noooooo what a disaster!

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm...I wonder if she might need oil. In my mind's eye I see a little bottle of oil with my mother's sewing machine stuff.

If you can't get her working, then maybe take her apart and salvage all the little bits and pieces that might turn themselves into jewelry or other art projects. Check out My Salvaged Treasures for some inspiration; she creates the most fascinating things.

Bungalowgirl said...

What a disappointing experience. I think if you are sure she is beyond repair perhaps you could try a tipshop- someone else may be able to use her for parts. melx

BeckyKay said...

It may just be a simple fix. I would try to take it to a repairman before you just pitch her! (I hate to see old machines unnecessarily disposed of. They are often much better than the newer machines!)

Mistea said...

My mothers thirty something year old machine caught fire and my dad took it apart. While she started the search for a new one my sister in law took it to her sewing machine repairer and it is good as new - total cost $150.
Those old ones just keep on going.