If you are thinking about getting a sock machine, you have a couple choices to make. 

• To purchase a machine that has been refurbished

• Send your machine to be refurbished by a qualified person

• Do the refurbishing yourself

No sock machine should ever be used without a through cleaning done to it first.   Only you know what type of person you are, if you like to buy something ready to use,  or do not mind getting your hands dirty and clean up the machine yourself.

1924 Model T vs. a Sock Machine

One way to think about a sock knitting machine, is to compare it to a automobile from around the same timeframe as the sock machines.  This will put it into perspective as to how old the sock machines are.  The Sock Machine and the Model T where made around the same time.  Some sock machines are much older.  

The Model T has a hand crank to start it,  most of these old Model T's have been stored in barns, or outside, some parts might be missing, it might be a little rusty, and in need of some work.  They can be fixed and many fine restored Model T's are around today due to the hard work of the dedicated refurbishers.  

You have the same choices if you wanted to buy a Model T,

• You can purchase one that has been refurbished
• Have your Model T refurbished by a qualified shop 
• Do the work yourself

eBay Auction Vehicle Description   Up for AUCTION Today is a 1924 FORD MODEL T  ONE TON TRUCK. This truck is in pretty good shape for its age. The rails have been blasted and primed. The motor will turn over using the hand crank, the transmission pedals move freely, the cab is in pretty good shape also. The wheelbase is 124 " . This truck does not have a title due to its age. It was last Tagged in 1956 according to the tag that was on the truck. It comes with four wheels and the wood is in pretty good shape also. Photos and text are from actual eBay auction, and used with permission of the seller.

 From the description  of the Model T the seller tells us the motor will turn over when you use the hand crank, the transmission pedals move freely, and it has 4 wheels. 

What more do you need ?   It runs right ?  It 'cranks', it 'moves freely' and has 4 wheels or 'cylinders'

• Would you crank this Model T up, drive it to the store to buy yarn, or take it on a trip to a Sock Machine event  ? 

• When was the last oil change or does it even have oil in it? 

• Does it have all the parts ? 

• Why is it sitting on blocks? 

• Would you expect this Model T to be in working order, without having it  restored first ?

Did you chuckle       a little when you saw the

Model T and the condition ? 

 

Why then when looking to purchase a 1924 Sock Knitting Machine on eBay for example and seeing in the description the handle cranks.  Or it moves freely.  We think the sock machine is going to run like new, and when it comes in the mail you can start to knit socks on it.

 

Isn't seeing a Model T up on blocks almost the same as seeing a sock machine with no knitting on it ?  

Or no needles in the cylinder.

 

How do you know it will run or knit ?  

Just because the Handle Cranks, or it Moves Freely  does not mean it is going to knit.

 

Or you see rust on the machine, the black, linty junky oil build up, and still use the machine.  This is driving that dirt and grime in further and wearing down the parts and causing dropped, missed stitches.

All sock machines should be cleaned before you ever start to knit on them.  They  will need to be adjusted and timed to produce a stitch.  

If you have not taken your machine apart to see how much rust, lint, grease etc. is inside.  There are 2 screws on the bottom of the machine unscrew these 2 screws, lift the cylinder out and inspect the cam shell.  If there is a heavy build up of black grease, rust or lint this all needs to be removed.  Now inspect the cylinders, all the slots should be free of rust, debris, from the top of the cylinder to the bottom of each slot.

Professionally Restored Sock Machine

A sock machine that has been professionally restored, is a machine that will give you and your family years of sock knitting enjoyment.  

In today's environment of New Car Sales, Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Sears  etc.  It is often thought that when you purchase a something, you are going to take it out of the box and it is going to work.  

If you would like a sock machine with a 100% guarantee that it will work when you take it out of the box,  buy a restored sock machine.    Or have your machine sent to a professional sock machine refurbisher.

A Restored Machine

Will be Inspected, Cleaned, Polished

A restored sock machine will have every part gone over, if there is anything wrong with that part it will be fixed.  It will get a oil change, all the dirty, smelly, black oil filled with lint, will be removed.  Every slot in every cylinder and ribber dial will be cleaned out.  All of the V cams, Uplift cams will be cleaned so the path that the needles are taking is correct to produce a even stitch. 

 

Will be Timed, Adjusted & Needed Parts Repaired or Replaced

There are adjustments on all sock machines that need to be made to get them to produce a stitch.  If the needles are not in the correct place when the yarn comes around you will have dropped stitches.  These adjustments and timing of the needles is very critical in getting the machines to knit.  The cleanest machine in the world is never going to knit if these adjustments are not made correctly.  The yarn mast and guide will be adjusted to work correctly as these parts get bent or lost over the years.

 

Will be Knit on

The only way to ensure a Sock Knitting Machine is going to knit  is to knit on it.  Each machine will have hours of knitting done on it, to ensure all the parts do indeed work correctly.  Also ensuring the timing is correct for making heels & toes, and if the machine has a ribber on it, that the ribber is also in working condition.

 

Support

All sock machines I sell come with a 100% guarantee that the machine will knit.  If you are in the MidWest or  Indiana area and come and pick your machine up you will get a free class that covers everything about your new/old machine.  Unlimited support after the sale via email or phone. 

I am a member of the CSMSA  and will see you at sock machine events, here in Indiana and across the USA.  I want you to be happy with your purchase as I will see you and your machine at these events.