How To Deep Clean A Passap Duomatic

September 29, 2007

19 comments

1 jeannette { 05.27.08 at 4:00 am }

Terrific instruction, very good detail, WELL DONE!!

2 enka { 06.10.08 at 1:13 pm }

Hello Kathryn, Your guide to cleaning machine got me started - it is all done - it’s a quite beautiful old lady - now I have to learn to use it and no manual. (cross my fingers hope it was only dirty and that it works)
The only mishap that happened to me is I lost the black label on the back lock - (my garage door was wide open and windy today so it flew away - I have tried to find a picture clear and close enough I could retype and reglue to its place but no luck, so I come to you again if you know of a site giving the guidelines on this label for the pink lady or if you could email me the table.
I’d be very grateful.
Thank you for your answer.
Enka.

3 Lorraine Eddey { 07.21.08 at 11:26 pm }

Hi Kathryn,

Wow, you really are game to try that one. I have downloaded the PDF file and am going to attempt to follow your extremely clear instructions as I
bought an old pinkie yesterday and it is as stiff as ever. It will be very interesting to give this a go.

Thanks a million.

Lorraine

4 Kathryn { 07.22.08 at 5:47 am }

Lorraine,

You are most welcome. Look over the photos a few times, take a deep breath, and go for it. The only piece on this sturdy machine that needs a bit of care when being removed is the long spring. It lifts right out so it isn’t a problem. Just make sure you don’t stretch it out.

Most of the overall stiffness in Passaps is usually due to old Bellador oil that has solidified. Denatured alcohol is your friend. It and a cheapie bristle brush will dissolve that sticky goo.

5 alice { 10.13.08 at 8:27 am }

Thank you for the cleaning instructions! Really, many, many thanks!

6 Joan { 01.27.09 at 12:58 pm }

These are the best illustrated instructions for this task I have ever seen. Congratulations and thankyou.

7 Celinda { 04.20.09 at 2:31 pm }

Hi Kathryn,

Thanks for your wonderful tutorial.

I just got a very old Duomatic (guess it’s the first generation). I’m going to follow your instructions to buy all the supplies to deep clean it.

Since I’m a complete newbie, do you think I need to replace any of the parts, e.g. spring, needles, pushers, etc.?

BTW, I’m missing the yarn ball holder in my bundle. I don’t see it in the supplies list of Passap Canada. I’ll try to create one. Shouldn’t be a biggie, right?

Enka, I’ve got the manual. You may email me offline as to how I can get it to you.

Many thanks and regards,
Celinda

8 Jean { 05.16.09 at 10:51 pm }

I am quite sure that I have damaged a channel on my Passap E6000, the needle is very stiff and the butt is raised and catching on the lock, and I don’t know how to change it. The metal point on my blue stripper caught in the hook of a needle and when I tried to remove the needle I didn’t break off the damaged hook!! It caught on the brake spring and tangled it up. It’s a hard lesson learned. When I Googled Passap Maintenance I discovered your wonderfully clear and informative instructions for the old pink duo and I wondered if they would work on my 6000? I would love to strip it down and give it a good clean and overhaul but never having done this and I am sixty six it would be a daunting task but, your instructions seem so clear that I wouldn’t mind having a go if they are compatible with the 6000.

I am knitting Aran Jackets as a fund raiser for my church’s re-decorating fund and I still have seven ordered so I really would be obliged if you could give me a reply ASAP.

Many thanks

Jean

9 Joy { 05.18.09 at 8:25 pm }

Thank you for your deep cleaning notes as I was given a Duo 80 It appears know to be going great but still not checked with yarn

10 Sonja Herbert { 05.26.09 at 7:59 am }

Hi!
Great tutorial! I love my old pinkie!
Just one problem you didn’t address: the slider — the thing that does the knitting — on my machine hangs up after a few passes. So far I got it going again with WD 40, but I’d love to know how to deep clean it, so it will work like new again.
I’d appreciate your help with that!
Sonja

11 Bloggie Stylish { 09.27.09 at 10:07 am }

thanks for this *awesome* tutorial!! I recently found a passap duomatic in the trash with all the accessories, patterns books AND manuals!! the machine was very stiff & definetly needed a good cleaning. Your tutorial saved my butt & now my passap is running as good as new! I will totally be mentioning your site in my new blog & i’ll be back frequently to check out your informative tutorials.
Just a FYI note to your readers, the magnetic pick up tool is IMPERATIVE!! not for getting the nuts and washers off, but for putting them back on. If I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t have been able to put my machine back together!

12 Anita nicholls { 10.19.09 at 3:17 am }

Hello kathryn.
Thought your tutorial was brilliant. Was given a dm80. It was going to be taken to the tip. It is very dirty, not been used for many years. I can’t seem to be able to move the pusher rail. Could this be because of the grime. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks anita
Bristol UK

13 Mrs Jean Adkins (02.01.10)(new comment) { 01.02.10 at 3:02 pm }

How can I obtain your instructions on how to deep clean the Passap Duo 80?

Would you suggest a new set of needles when you deep clean the machine, and if so can you supply these?

Yours sincerely

Jean Adkins (England)

14 Terry Parks(new comment) { 01.13.10 at 11:34 am }

Kathryn,
My husband purchased the Passap 6000 a while back for a Christmas present. I was supposed to get unlimited lessons until I was comfortable with the machine. After three lessons, she was never available when I would be or wasn’t in when I called to set up an appointment. I was very discouraged. However, I did manage to complete some swatches and then it sat and sat. Now we are planning to move now that I am retired and I hope to renew this pursuit. Disassembling the machine was scary and the instructions I have left a lot to be desired. So, I surfed the web and found your site. I am so glad and have added you to my favorites. Thank you for your amazing assembly/disassembly instructions. I know without it, I would have made a mess. Look forward to future visits to your site.
Forever in your debt
Terry Parks

15 Elizabeth J Peters(new comment) { 02.02.10 at 6:34 pm }

I bought an Passap Duomatic 80 off ebay. The seller didn’t send any assembly instructions and I cannot put the machine together. I attempted to download your pdf file and my computer will not let me open it. Can you email me a copy, please? I paid $1000 and would like to know if the machine works or not.

Thanks,

Elizabeth J Peters

16 Kathryn { 02.03.10 at 10:27 am }

I’m sorry, I don’t do that. You will need to find a computer that can download it and open it. You may need to go to Adobe.com to download the free Adobe PDF reader application. Sounds like that is where your problem originates.

17 Katie(new comment) { 02.16.10 at 12:37 pm }

Stupid question. How do I know if my machine needs a cleaning???
I just inherited an old (and, I believe, barely used) Duomatic Pinkie and am really looking forward to using it.
I’m an avid crafter but this machine is just slightly intimidating… mainly just the thought of tearing it apart and attempting to put it back together myself, when I don’t even know how to work it yet!!
I figure cleaning the beast will get me a little more in tune with how she works for the future, just wondering how much time I should put aside to do it (if it’s even necessary).

18 Linda Johnson(new comment) { 02.19.10 at 8:22 pm }

Kathryn,

thanks for the deep cleaning tutorial for the pinky, it is a lifesaver!
I do have a question though, when reassembling the needles, spring, and rail, can you tell me these 2 things?

1. Do the needles sit ON TOP of the spring or vice versa?

2. Does the rail encompass and “ride” over the black H screws, to keep it in line?

All the rails fell off when I had the machine turned over, so not sure of the sequence.

thanks for your help.

Linda

19 Angela MacLeod(new comment) { 03.07.10 at 6:59 am }

Hi, I’m seeking a way to sell my Passap Duomatic 80. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can find potentially interested persons? I inherited mine and realized that I don’t have the ambition to learn how to use it. It’s in working condition and I have all the parts/accessories, plus many how-to books and instructional videos. I would really appreciate any suggestions. I don’t want to just turn it over to Good Will. I’d rather find someone who knows what this machine is about and would love to use it.
Thanks,
Angela

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