Retiring from the U. S. Air Force with nearly twenty years of service, Wadsworth native Tim Drake was looking for a place to hang his hat and a post-military career that he could sink his teeth into. His decision to settle in Wooster was influenced by his many local relatives and the friendly, small town atmosphere Wooster has been able to preserve throughout it's long history. Tim coupled his "can do" philosophy with an entrepreneurial spirit, and, with the help of his four legged, constant companion Annie, operates Duck's Sew & Vac. During a recent visit with Tim and Annie, Tim explained his transition from military life to the man who can fix anything like this;
After retiring and moving to Wooster, I met Wayne Anderson at our church. Wayne was looking for a repairman for vacuum cleaners and sewing machines at his shop and he gave me the job and taught me the ropes. After working for Wayne for a year, I saw that there was plenty of demand for repair service in the area, and, by opening a shop that offered free pick-up and delivery service, I could be an asset to those who had difficulty getting their sewing machines and vacuum cleaners to the store.
I opened Duck's Sew & Vac in my home in 1998 primarily servicing sewing machines, vacuum cleaners, and sharpening scissors. I had a door at my garage where customers could drop off their sewing machines or vacuum cleaners and fill out their own repair ticket when I wasn't there. I even had a money box there so they could make their own change or leave their check. It was very convenient for both myself and my customers and worked quite well for the three and a half years I worked from home. I actually had a sign in my front yard that read "The Only Singer I Can't Repair is Frank Sinatra". After moving into my present location on March 1, 2003, it was neat because customers whom I'd worked for but never met came in just so we could finally meet!
Duck's Sew & Vac offers a sewing machine "tune-up" to help keep sewing machines in tip top shape. As sewing machines are used, tensions need to be re-adjusted, the machines need lubricated, and the build-up of lint needs to be removed. I disassemble the machine, lubricate the parts and rebuild the tension assembly. I clean the bobbin case to remove the lint build-up and I have a method to clean the machines that restores their like-new appearance. They basically leave the shop as reconditioned machines and fully guaranteed.
I handle all types of sewing machine repair on everything from old Singers to the modern machines. Most of the older sewing machines were so well built that they're actually easier to fix. Many times, people will be shopping for a newer sewing machine because they're having trouble with their older one. In cases like this, a tune-up will fix many of their problems and they can save a lot of money while still keeping the original machine that they're pleased with.
Emergencies are my specialty. If someone is the middle of making a wedding gown for their daughter and their sewing machine happens to break down, I'll put them at the head of the line to make sure they get their project done on time. Of everything I've serviced, I don't think I have had anything in here longer than a week unless we were waiting for a part, but, I can get parts for most sewing machines, even the older ones, within two days.
My vacuum cleaner service covers everything from changing a belt to a full tune-up on all makes and models. When I do a tune-up, I literally disassemble the vacuum right down to the motor. I have a double sink where I wash the vacuum to eliminate household and pet odors, I remove the paint that's scuffed on the machine, and when you get it back, it's basically a new machine complete with a free belt and a bag. I have belts, bags, and hoses for sale, and, if I don't have the item you need, I can get it here within twenty-four hours.
Rainbow Vacuum Cleaners are another specialty of Duck's Sew & Vac. There isn't a part that I can't get for Rainbows. I offer a complete rebuilding service in addition to a tune-up that includes checking the brushes, bearings, armature, and the agitator. The only thing not covered in the cost of the tune-up is the needed parts, but in most cases, the only part that's needed is a new belt. I'm one of the few people in this area who knows how to work on the motors and will often replace the bearings so my customers don't have to buy a new motor.
When a customer brings in a sewing machine or a vacuum, I give them an estimate on the spot and if they don't want to fix it, there's no charge for the estimate. For some vacuum cleaners, the only thing that can be done is to replace the motor, but sewing machines are easy to get parts for and are very repairable. For example, I've had a customer come in looking for a used machine for her daughter. I didn't have any used machines in the shop but this customer had a used machine in her car that wasn't working properly. I encouraged her to let me have a look at it, and, sure enough, I had it running the same day for less than fifty dollars. It was one of the nicest sewing machines I've ever seen and doing the repairs was definitely less expensive than buying a new machine.
I do pick up and delivery on a case by case basis. Shop hours are only until 1:00 pm on Thursday because there are still some people out there who can't get to the store for various reasons and Thursday afternoons I do pick-ups and deliveries. Now that I have a store and I'm the only one here, it limits my flexibility for pick-ups and deliveries but I still offer those services without charge.
Today's world has become a "throw away society" and by that I mean that there are people who will throw out their old vacuum sweeper and buy a new one for several hundred dollars rather than have their old one repaired. The average repair on a vacuum sweeper is around thirty dollars so they can protect their investment and save a lot of money at the same time. I'm somewhat like Emmett on the Andy Griffith Show. I have fixed lamps, sharpened sheep shears. sharpened scissors, fixed blenders, can openers, and weed eaters. I just want to be known as the guy in Wooster who can repair almost everything!
Regardless of whether you have a sewing machine, vacuum sweeper, or a blender, as Tim says, if you're happy with what you have, there's a good chance he can fix it! Call Duck's Sew & Vac or stop by the shop today and don't forget to tell Tim and Annie that The Advocate sent you!
)
)
