Help with identifying, threading and using what could be a FW?
 

I have wanted to play with a Featherweight ever since I read about their wonderful straight stitching abilities as a young quilter. I was surfing craigslist and found what could be a FW machine at a price I could afford (around $100). The seller had used the machine as a display piece in his living room and did not sew. He had however been told from the couple who sold it to him, that it stitched very well. I was able to negotiate the price down, not knowing whether I could actually use the machine, and brought it home tonight. I knew I was taking a gamble but was hopeful I could have it running within a few hours time!

I downloaded the manual, followed the steps for threading and using the bobbin, and every single time I was unsuccessful. I looked online and none of the suggestions I found had any impact. It's as if the thread from the needle was not able to pick up the thread from the bobbin. Either the top thread tangles massively around the bobbin case (that's when I thread the needle from left to right), either it simply does not catch the bobbin thread at all (when I thread the needle from right to left, in the manner one should). I tried both ways, that's how desperate I am....

I am thinking I am not dealing with the bobbin thread right. Actually I am not even sure the bobbin case looks like the one pictured in the manual, or like the other ones I can see online. This makes me wonder whether I actually purchased a FW or another type of vintage machine.

I took pictures of the machine I purchased and downloaded them onto an album on this site, under my forum name.

I feel quite defeated and would love some help from quilters who might know more than I do about these machines. Is my machine an actual FW, despite its off-looking bobbin case? How do I thread my machine properly? Also, how do I clean and oil it, I am thinking that my current issues may have to do with the machine being dirty (which it really is!)?...

Thank you so much for any help you may provide! I look forward to reading your helpful suggestions.

Definitely looks like the featherweight I got 2 days ago for Christmas :-) as to the problems you are having, I just don't have enough experience with mine yet to help you but someone will jump in here soon!

Joann

...looking at the pic of the bobbin case, not sure if that is the correct case or not, if it isn't you can purchase one easy enough...and I love your kitty too!

Thank you for commenting on our kitty :) His name is Vil and he is your typical orange cat -- a total showoff!

It is a Featherweight - Score :thumbup: As for helping with the thread problems I don't have one :( so I can't help with that sorry- hope you can get it fixed :)

Is your needle in there correctly??? the flat side of the needle goes to the left instead of to back that you are probably used to.
Is the bobbin case in correctly??? If the throat plate has been taken off and not put back properly, the "finger" should be at the top not spinning around.
Hope this helps. I can only imagine how frustrated you must be!

The needle seems to be placed correctly, it is not threaded from front to back but from left to right... and right now the thread seems to run smootly, as far as the top thread is concerned...

When I pull the wheel towards me, the bobbin case rotates towards me pretty smoothly too. Only the top thread gets tangled around the bobbin and the bobbin case instead of picking up the bobbin thread. Gah.

Yup, it is rather frustrating! I hope to find a solution and to turn this machine into something I can use.

Where can I see a picture of the machine that you're talking about?
Sharon

You do have a featherweight, but your bobbin case does not look like mine. The bobbin case on both of mine is stamped with the word: SIMANCO U.S.A. and the part number 45750. Maybe you can order that part from someplace like Sew Classic and see if that solves your problem?

I just looked up bobbin cases on ebay last night. You can find one for $35 and up. I would definitely buy one of the original SIMANCO ones though and not a modern replacement for them. I've found the featherweights to be sensitive to reproductions. Mine do much better with the original bobbins, attachments etc. You might also Google Featherweight service and find someone who has an original bobbin case they can sell to you. My white FW will not even sew unless the bobbins are the antique ones. She tangles up every time!

The Featherweight threads from right to left I believe. I can't find the album with photos-but glad that others have and have said it is indeed a Featherweight. Good luck. You will love it.