Problem with a 15-91
 

Well ... another sewing machine "fell" into my car today. Fortunately, it's one I wanted :) Singer 15-91 dated to 1952 in a cabinet no less. I have a problem with it though (and was able to get the price lowered considerably for it!).

I can't get the balance wheel to engage from bobbin winding to sewing.

I DID figure out that it was missing the "stop motion clamp washer" and was lucky enough to find that sucker in one of the drawers of the cabinet (I was actually trying to source it on the net when my husband asked if I checked the drawers and ... lucky me!).

I'm sure I've got that in the right position, and I've got the knurled clamp screw mounted correctly with the stop screw is in-between two of the studs on the stop motion clamp washer. I can now get the knurled clamp screw to tighten, but I still can't get it fully engaged to turn the needle when I spin the balance wheel (it will turn the needle a few times then stop, then perhaps again ... not consistent).

I noticed that there is some "play" in the balance wheel. It will slide perhaps 1/8" in and out (meaning in the direction as if I was going to remove it ... not a "sideways" or "wobbly" motion, it's just not "tight" to the machine). Wondering is there a specific way that I have to put the balance wheel back onto the machine to properly engage the gears ... or is there something wrong with the gears themselves?

I think I need to take the balance wheel off again and check the textolite gear. I hope I didn't make matters worse.

I've read that the two tabs in the center of the stop motion washer should point out to the stop motion knob.
"Most" of the machines I've got are set up that way and work great.

Also even if the tabs are point the correct direction the washer can still be put in two ways. So take it out and try rotating it 180° with the tabs to the knob and see if that helps.

Joe

OK .. I know I have it oriented with the correct side out, but did not realize that if I rotate it and put each tab in the opposite slot it could make a difference. Will try that in the morning. Thanks.

how close should the stop screw be to the studs? Does it make a difference? The adjusters manual I'm following only states "... so that when the stop screw is tightened, it is a sufficient distance to the right of one of the three studs on the washer to permit enough counter-clockwise rotation of the clamp screw to stop sewing action of the machine during the winding of the bobbins." "Sufficient distance" isn't very specific so I figured "in the middle of two of them" would be correct ... or should it be closer?

Sue,

I think that's about it. Mine vary a lot where the screw is in relation to the tabs. As long as they can tighten and loosen enough it's good.

Joe

Rain has a very good tutorial on that:
http://vssmb.blogspot.com/

Wow, thank's for the link to Rain's blog on vintage machines. What a great job!

Try taking the stop motion washer out and putting it in backwards of how it is now. Those little washers are tricky!

Thanks all!! Got her working and laying down a stitch. She has some tension issues, but I plan on taking the tension apart anyway for a thorough cleaning - along with everything else. I wanted to make sure it COULD lay down a stitch before I spent hours on cleaning etc.

anyway ... here she is. I'm quite pleased that all her decals are intact, no scratches or anything on her japan - cosmetically she's in ACE condition. Despite the owners dedication to keeping the outside of the machine in pristine condition, I don't think they ever touched the inside. She needs a good strip down of her working bits. The cabinet needs to be stripped and re-varnished as well.

She's a beautiful machine. Mine was in only the bottom of a Bentwood box. You are lucky. Enjoy her, 15-91's are good machines.

I got the dull rubbery/tar stuff off the back of one with rubbing alcohol - looks a lot better - be careful around the decals - some is ok but too much will silver. I have seen so many of those 15s and 15 clones with messed up tensions, I just take them apart and rebuild as an automatic part of the clean up. Just print out the instructions in large print & keep handy...