Well, here I am thinking I'll try free motion on my "new" sewing machine. I read the instructions and in order to lower the feed dog, I need to press the DARN button. Well, the DARN button won't depress. Stuck stuck stuck.

Lifted her up and looked underneath; see what SHOULD happen (see photo below), but the rod that connects the left of the lower-the-feed-dog mechanism with the feed dog itself won't move AT ALL.

Oiled all moving parts. No change. Tried to move it manually; won't budget. Unscrewed top "lid" of the buttons and was able to move the device, but could not get the feed dog to stay down.

Suggestions for me? (I'm trying to fix this myself.)

Thanks.

-- Jillaine

Oh my goodness, I have that exact machine (it was my grandmother's). I've never had the button stick on me so I'm not sure I'll be much help. Could there be something jammed in there somehow that is preventing the movement? Maybe try taking apart the bobbin area and see if there is something stuck under the feed dogs. That machine is pretty easy to take apart and put back together. Just remember to unplug first.

Jillaine, if you post this in the virtual machine section the experts there could probably help you.
It's really pretty!! Love all the older machines.

Susan, I have no idea how to post in that area. I can access it, but there is no "post new topic" even after I subscribe.

Shannon, I will do as you suggest.

But can you do me a favor? Holding the machine bed up, can you depress the darn button and tell me what happens. Does it actually do what I believe it should do (move to the right) as illustrated in the 3rd photo?

Thanks!

-- Jillaine

Jillaine, you can hit the "post reply" at the end of the last post, then you can ask questions and post your pics :D
It's page 1009 I think.

Ah... THAT topic. How weird is that that there is no board area with individual topics. Instead only one topic about all vintage machines? VERY odd. Doesn't make finding things easy at all. But thanks for the pointer.

Rename it the "damn" button. I know, no help at all here. Sorry.

Opened up the bobbin area, including removing the plate around the dogs. Some fuzz in there, but not much. Brushed it out, oiled in hopefully all the right places. Still no budge. Well, not completely accurate, there is a little wiggle but no movement of the actual dogs.

dang I *so* want to try FMQ!!!!

Thanks for your ongoing help.

-- Jillaine

i'll just have to start another project while I wait... :-b