I bought a FW in an estate acution a few years ago and have just had it serviced and started useing the last 2 weeks. You can see other post to see why I am useing it. My question is: Sometimes when I press the foot peddle I must turn the wheel to get it started. It has a new belt and it is not slipping. Is this normal for an old FW? I know sometime I must turn my wheel to get me started. But like the FW not everytime.

is there a greasy spot on the belt somewhere? :D:D:D

No the motor is not turning. I checked that.

You have to pull the wheel on the older machines, especially belt driven ones. When I got my first electronic machine, it took a while to break the habit of turning the wheel by hand. Always pull it toward you too.

Yes my old SingerS require hand turning IF the needle is NOT on the down stroke.

I don't believe there's anything wrong with the machine.

This is pretty normal for the old ones.....especially if multiple layers..or heavy fabric

What a great quilt, Gary!

On some of my vintage machines, I have to turn the handwheel to get it started, too.

I just sent the motor from my favorite quilting machine (1947 Singer 15-91) off to Jenny at sew-classic.com to get cleaned and re-wired and now, I don't have to "kick-start" that machine any more. :) I'm going to send her the motors for my slants after all the holiday crazy stuff settles down.

In these old machines, connections come loose, oil and lint accumulate, brushes wear down, wiring breaks inside the cord or motor where you can't see the breaks - maybe dozens of other things can go just a little bit wrong.

Do you know if the repair shop cleaned the motor on your FW and checked the brushes? For some shops, "servicing," means that they'll just clean out the easily reachable spots, check the timing, replace the belt and needle, wipe off old grease and oil/lube everything.

Modern repro motors are super cheap - it would be worth it to put one on and see how the machine runs. I bought one for a gorgeous 15-90 that was in near perfect condition and now it sews like a champ. Maybe give that a try?

Thanks everone the repair shop I used did check the motor cleaned the brushs and armature. I had not used an old machine before but I suppected it need that little kick. If I get my new machine worked out I will not put a lot of hours on it. Thanks again.

I learned to sew on a treadle and always had to turn the wheel to get it moving. This also was a habit hard to stop when I got a modern electric machine.