Care and feeding of "thread injectors"

[waddy]

I have been building saddles and tack for many years now, and have always used heavy duty stitchers. I just recently inherited my wife's old sewing machine, completely without instruction manual of any kind, and she hasn't used it for so long she has forgotten most everything about it. It is a weird brand which I can't find any reference to on the 'net. The face plate says "Olympia", and the name "Brother" is cast into the base. From the weight, it was made from an anvil and they added lead ballast. At any rate, I have enough stitching experience to be able to work through a lot of the questions, but I put the search on this forum and gleaned a lot of extremely useful information on stitching with light weight machines and fabric. Some of the posts also gave me a real chuckle, as I've been there also. But I just wanted to point out that stitchers have feelings!! Every morning when I go out to the shop, I pet my machines, groom them, tell them what wonderful creatures they are, give them a little fresh oil, dust them off, and pet them again. Each one has a distinct personality that must be catered carefully to and if I do my part, they are happy to hum along giving me my perfect stitches. They do not like harsh words! I prove that all the time!!

Well, now I am starting to sew this gossamer, filmy stuff that may or may not actually exist. I have already started caressing my new little machine, and it is starting to come around. Wish me luck. Oh, and thanks a million for all the help!!!!!

[geomaniac]

I think they still make Brother Sewing machines. They used to be a very good name brand.

[Ramblinrev]

Olympia and Brother were both very good names in those days. Brother is still in business but, imo, has followed in the footsteps of Black and Decker. A once proud and professional quality company making less than sturdy machines for the big box stores.

[JohnSawyer]

My recent-vintage brother certainly isn't bullet proof, but for $26, I cannot complain. It makes all the gear I need, with the occasional bit of cursing thrown in...

(My wife says I have Sewing Tourettes)

I've used another (better) machine, but it too had it's personality...

I'm just glad we have so many helpful people here, or I would have craigslisted this beast and given up...

[pgibson]

(My wife says I have Sewing Tourettes)

[lori]

Sewing Tourettes! I know what that is!

Also Driving Tourettes.

[warbonnetguy]

i think the brother commercial machines are still held in high regard. if the head is iron, then it may be a commercial machine.

would you say the motor is more the size of a tennis ball or a football?

[waddy]

"Sewing Touretts", now that is an apt description!! I love it.

I am certain it is not an industrial machine. It just has a very small motor, and so far, I think the only "advanced" stitch I can figure out is a zigzag. I am headed to Grand Junction (hundred miles, one way) today to a large fabric store where I hope to get some information and help. The only thing I have done with it so far is sew some longer tails on a flannel shirt that would not stay tucked in. It worked fine and was a pleasure to use. It does have a small intermittent clicking during stitching that I can't identify, but hope to find that out today. Thanks for the information connecting Olympia and Brother. At least I know that it was not some knock-off piece of junk. Although, as many years ago as it was obviously built, I don't think they even did that kind of thing like they do today!