Obscure trivia

[NoahBriggs]

One can use a surgical kit to repair a Wilcox and Gibbs sewing machine.

Noah Briggs

["Doc" Nelson]

I'm almost afraid to ask :rolleyes: .

BTW, its good to see you back :wink: .

[Spinster]

I think this probably comes under the same heading as: "Anything I need to repair a weaving loom can be robbed off a piece of farming equipment"

or better yet just bought from the parts bin at the tractor store. Best of all though, it's good to hear from Noah

[retter]

I was wondering where he wandered off to. It was a little too quiet around here.

[NoahBriggs]

This is a direct reference to Hopewell 2009.

Myself as Dr. Elias Finch, and Elaine Kessinger as Mrs. Zacharias Wolfe, decided to pay a visit to Mrs. Mark Hintzen over in the married workers quarters. Mrs. Hintzen was busy with some modern spectators, but she noted that her W&G sewing machine needed to be fixed.

It turned out that the main belt from the foot pedal that drives the flywheel needed to be connected. The belt itself was nothing more than a large rawhide lace - most likely a leftover from Paul Bunyan's shoe, but I'll leave that for the historians to research. Anyway, the two ends were secured by a large staple, and the ends of the staple needed to be pushed down to allow the belt to run on the wheels uninterrupted.

I found that arterial locking forceps or serrated bullet forceps worked great at pinching/squeezing/bending the staple ends into place. We maneuvered the belt onto the wheels, pumped the pedal, and behold - a running Wilcox & Gibbs.

And I didn't even need to break out the chloroform. :cool:

Quite frankly this was the 2009 Living History Highlight for me. I have read about the Original Cast using creativity and unorthodox methods to "Git 'r' done" on unusual projects or situations. The opportunity is not common at reenactments, but it is there. First-person immersion and a good cultural and historical research background increase the chances of doing these unplanned moments at the right time.

"And knowing is half the battle." G.I. Joe PSA.

[Jas. Cox]

Well, it's no longer obscure trivia if you go around telling everyone! :razz: