sewing machine storage in unheated garage

I haven't got an answer, but if you get one that works, please let me know. I wanted to get another machine to leave at my cottage on Cape Cod and haven't because damp air in an unheated area is my main concern. Juno

Maybe Ron or someone else will chime in here, but I would say lots and lots of oil - on any exposed metal, inside or out. Cover the machine, but not with anything that would block air - no plastics or vinyl, for instance. A nice soft cloth, just to keep the dust from sticking to all that oil. Never set the machine down on a concrete or dirt surface, but keep it elevated and let air circulate. The machine itself can take the cold and heat, but not the dampness. The cabinet, if you have one, is apt to be pickier.

I think that Vaseline on some surfaces would be good - you can wipe it off before you use the machine. I know it's good for the gears inside - either Vaseline or Singer lube, or a fine automotive grease. It won't hurt the paint, either.

Cosmoline is what you need. Cover them well with it and after fifty years clean them off and toss them out. I live in Oregons Willamette Valley, and know full what the coast is like. If you really care for them you will not store them in an unheated garage during the winter or any other time.

Just my two cents worth.

Ed

The only sensible thing is to move it indoors. I have NO garage, so store all 11 of mine in my rather small 3 bedroom mid-terrace English cottage!

Treadles make excellent coffee/bedside/hall tables. You can close up a treadle that folds into a table and pop another hand crank on top: two machines in the space of one! The bottom of the closet under the shes is another good place... Just be creative and move out some of the unnecessary stuff like the TV, hi-fi, etc...

Not a good idea to store them in the garage if you care what they will look and perform like at anytime in the future. Humidity is a bad thing. I have had odd parts rust on my bench indoors in the real humid times. I have a storage room in my garage for parts machines. It is insulated and sheathed on the inside and outside walls, it slows it down but the rust does happen. Sewing machine oil on all surfaces will also slow it down but nothing but a dry space will prevent it.

I'd enclose them in something absolutely airtight -- with a desiccant. (Said desiccant *below* the machine, so that it can't drip on it.)

But my own unused machine is shoved to the back of the closet in the sewing room. And another is serving as a sideboard in the kitchen, and one is an end table in the living room.

The Necchi I bought in 1964 has never been in a closet for any length of time. Whenever we moved, the Necchi went with us in the car or airplane.

Joy Beeson

A case where living in Nevada is a benefit. ;-) Humidity? High humidity is 30%.

Joy, you are a girl after my own heart....we love our Necchis, don't we? Mine (1956 Necchi Super Nova console) is a member of the family.