How can I preserve a 1870 Jones cylinder shuttle sewing machine?
Related Discussions
How to get rid of mice?
We seem to have some unwelcome Mickeys and Minnies in our house. What is the best way to get rid of them?
How to remove popcorn ceiling with asbestos?
I want to remove my popcorn ceiling, but it has asbestos in it. How do I go about this safely?
How to caulk baseboard gaps?
How do I fill gaps at baseboard, should I caulk? If so, does anyone know how to caulk baseboards?
How to fix squeaky hardwood floors?
How do I fix squeaky hardwood floors?
How to restore an old cast iron wood burning stove?
The story of this stove started in a small town in Mexico. It was in my mother's family and was used to cook on and heat the kitchen when she was a kid. When the home... See more
Help! I don't think my HE Kenmore washing machine is really washing!
I have read the manual, yet when I put a load in,they end up in a bundle ...especially sheets..everything is bundled inside,how can clothes get clean like this,with n... See more
Wow what a great piece! So you are not altering it I would recommend applying a good coat of furniture wax. This will help preserve and condition the wood without changing anything.
Thanks Tammy, furniture wax, do you recommend a particular brand
My grandmother, born in the 1800's, always used lemon oil on all her furniture and today that same furniture still looks like brand new right out of the showroom. Just wipe it on and wipe it off. She used to tell my mother and she told me that furniture was wood and it still needed to breathe so lemon oil would provide breathing room. I don't understand it but it works.
I've been using coconut oil on all my wooden furniture for years now. Just rub it on (sparingly) and wipe it in really well. Protects and moisturizes the wood the same as it does with your skin. I have an old Singer treadle sewing machine in a cabinet (not as old as yours) I inherited from my grandmother. I use the coconut oil on it about once or twice a year. It's quite dry where I live, but I find I don't need to use the oil more than twice a year. I have other old wooden pieces I inherited from my parents and do the same with those as well. No cracking at all and the wood looks conditioned.
For a more permanent fix, clean the wood and use tung oil. Follow directions. It will take a while but will be worth it. This is the same stuff used for rifle stocks to get that perfect sheen.
I doubt your machine has much monetary value as my Mom's old treadle machine (with drawers) does have any. What does "cylinder shuttle" machine mean? Is it a treadle or an electric machine or something else? My mother was once given instructions on how to care for an antique table, the dealer said she should "feed" it, with a mixture that contained paraffin. I still have the bottle will check out what else it contains.
I have several old tredle machines. I c!earned the tredle waxed them. Then did the same for the wood. Looks beautiful! I collect sewing machines of any era. My kids are going to have field day when I go to that great sewing room in the sky! Lol
I just use lemon oil on mine. That is one beautiful machine looks like it is in great shape.
Mom had an old singer with a walnut cabinet...........never saw a cabinet like this one.........wondering if it was special made and not factory.
thanks so much everyone for your thoughts, will research all ideas :-)
That type cabinet is called a parlor cabinet as it closed up to hide the mechanics of the machine and looked like furniture made for the parlor/living room of the day. DO NOT use a cleaner for wood such as Murphy's Oil Soap, which is then mixed with water, on the cabinet or the machine. Both will be adversely affected by water based products. A mix of equal parts turpentine and boiled linseed oil is often recommended to clean old wood furniture, then any of previously mentioned oils, rubbed in and excess buffed off will work. Wax would add a hardened protective finish, but can mix with dust & soils over time. If finish is chipped, alligatored, scratched, etc., look into Formby,s products after cleaning, which can "Melt" the old existing finish and spread it around for even finish. Then treat with oil for finish protection.
Wood oil is best. If u put in teak oil on internet, furniture clinic sell one.
Love your machine. I have old furniture in my home. Bought at yard sales,flea markets & auctions.
I first clean the pieces with MURPHY OIL. this is made for wood.
Then I use a LEMON OIL to shine and treat the wood. Comes out very nice.
Love Murphy oil for all wood objects.
I use Murphy Oil on all my wood object. I have carved wooden plates on my kitchen wall from Europe and clean them all the time ,no problem with dust buildup on them.