Bitzy One

Hello all, I just bought a green Singer model 185J that was made in Canada at a church sale this morning! It is really a cute little thing and came in a blonde cabinet. Obviously I threaded it wrong, cause it won't sew for me, but is clean as a whistle and just needed some oil (which I gave it). I can't budge the screws on the throat plate, but will keep working on them cause I can see lint in the feed dogs.

I know there's a place to get FREE instruction manuals, but can't find it. Can anyone help? I'd post a picture if I could, but can't. The serial # is JD 866745 and it says Simanco 33681 under the bed of the machine. I paid all of $15 for it & smuggled it upstairs where my husband won't know I have added another machine to my herd

TX, Janie

miriam

http://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals then put in 185. You might have to drop a little tri-flow on the screws and let them soak awhile - getting it cleaned out can be a chore. You might want to get a repair manual, too: http://www.tfsr.org/publications/tec...achine_manual/ - best I know of for those old ladies

Bitzy One

thanks Miriam! I found a thread guide, it sews now, but is kind of loud. Wondering if the bobbin case is loose or something, I read on this website before that can sometimes cause a rattle.

miriam

keep it oiled, too. Check to make sure the spring is all the way tight on the bobbin case.

purplefiend

Janie,
Your 185 needs to have the needle with the flat to the right and threaded from left to right(outside to inside).
Oil it and it should quiet down.
Sharon

1screech

There is a sponge in this little machine so don't pull it out. Also the bobbin faceplate goes in a little different. I bought one at a thrift store for $5.00. Once I figured these little things out and put on a new belt, she sews like a dream. You will love her but she weighs a ton.

J Miller

These old iron machines are oil dependent. There are NO bearings, only steel shafts through iron bores. Keep them oiled and they'll purr. Let them dry out and they slow down, struggle, make horrid noises and run rough. Over oiling them isn't as bad as under oiling them. You can always clean the excess oil off.

Re-oil everything that moves as you sew with it, and as the oil works it's way into all the dry places, and dissolves and displaces the old gummed up oil she'll quiet down and begin to sew smoothly again.

The little felt wick in the bobbin case latch spring should be there and be kept moist with oil. But over half my machines that use that wick don't have them. No big deal, just put a drop of oil on the hook where it moves within the bobbin case and it's good to go.

Don't put the belt on too tight, just tight enough to sew without slipping. To tight drags the machine down and can cause wear on the motor.
If the motor has lube tubes it takes Singer Motor Lube ( grease in the tube ) ONLY.

Also I agree with Miriam, I suggest Tri-Flow oil and Grease for everything EXCEPT Singer motors. As I said above for those use Singer Motor Lube ( grease in the tube ) ONLY.


Joe