Singer Touch and Sew 609
 

An anonymous friend set a Singer T & S #609 on my door step last week. It's clean, and looked to be in perfect condition, until I plugged it in. It came with a case and foot petal...that's it. The light goes on, but it apprears to be frozen. I dug into it and found the upper horizontal rod to be stuck. The upper horizontal gear, had a couple of broken teeth....thanks to DH trying to get them to move with a screwdriver. The gears appear to be nylon. We've broken the horizontal gear out....and that freed up the lower movement of the machine. Still can't get the upper horizontal rod or gear to move. I've soaked it with oil for a week to no avail. I can't seem to find a place where they connect. I've been to the T & S website, and downloaded some info, but it hasn't helped so far. There seems to be lots of info about many of the T & S models, but next to nothing about a 609. Any ideas as to how to get the rod and gear freed up would be greatly appreciated. At this point, I am determined to get this running. Mind over machine!!! I would love to replace the gears with metal, if thats at all possible. I've checked them out on ebay. I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks, M

I am having difficulty posting a photo. Sorry.....I guess I am an inept at sewing machine repair as I am at posting photos!!!

T&S machine like this one have two upper gears. They are described by the shaft that they are on. One is on the upper (main) horizonal shaft. The other is on top of the right vertical shaft. Which one is broken?

Cathy

I'm not familiar with the 609 either. But the the rule of diagnosis is "NEVER FORCE ANYTHING". You found out why.
There is a drive gear on the top horizontal shaft that drives a gear at the top of the vertical shaft. There is also a gear at the bottom of the vertical shaft that drives the bobbin hook shaft and two gears at the hook.
Put oil (Tri-Flow recommend) at the bottom of the top vertical shaft gear and at the base of the left (bed) side of the pillar. That will lube the two places for the vertical shaft.

I'm not sure what you want to do with the machine, but carefully lube anything that moves and find out what will move and what wont. Then work with the stuck part(s).

More than likely it was gummed up with old lube. Now it has that problem and busted gears.

Joe

Cathy, the broken gear is on top of the right vertical shaft. Joe, I would like to get this machine running again. It's become a challange....either that or find one exactly like it...and pretend that I fixed it!!?!? I've not used triflow...but I will get that and try. Thanks for the suggestion. M

Good news, that upper vertical shaft gear is available from repair shops or online.
I have found in the past that a frozen needlebar is frequently the cause of a frozen machine.
Try putting tri-flow on the bushings that the needlebar goes through.

Cathy

Thanks all!! You're right Cathy. After almost two weeks of oiling and wiggling....the needle bar broke free this morning and is moving smoothly. Boy, did I learn my lesson....oil, oil, oil!!! Now to replace that broken gear...and I should be home free. Any suggestions for getting to that gear??? Thanks again everyone!!!

Have you tried Terry's site? http://www.tandtrepair.com/ He has repair information posted and you can email him.
Generally to get to the gear you need to remove the large decorative plate on the front of the machine. The screw is hidden behind the oval Singer emblem.

Cathy

I have one like that I decided to part out yesterday. Someone replaced the gear by pulling the shaft above it. Everything wobbles something terrible. The needle is way off center. I figure it is a Touch and Swear machine. My 404 and my 503 appreciate some of the parts already.