Like many of you I have looked for creative sources for material. I had something knocking around the garage for several years that the missus wanted me to toss. It was her old sewing machine. Not an antique or anything, just a run of the mill 1970's Japanese made machine. It was past it's prime and not good for sewing anymore. It did, however, hold a veritable treasure trove of good bits.
Lots of metric grub screws, numerous tension and compression springs, a good worm and screw, at least 2 feet of good polished shafting, a nice little light with a switch, and a beauty of a 110v AC motor. That little sucker will turn almost 6000 RPM according to my laser tach!
The old toothed belt was a loss but I have lots of belts already. Keep an eye out at estate/garage/tag/boot whatever sales and you can pick up old sewing machines like that for a few bucks/euros/yen/drachmas etc.
