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-   For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts (https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/)
-   -   Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell (https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/vintage-sewing-machine-shop-come-sit-spell-t43881.html)

purplefiend 05-03-2012 06:27 PM

Quilt addict,
I used to live really close to where those machines are. I miss s.CA.
Sharon W.
(former CA beach bunny)

Mizkaki 05-03-2012 08:45 PM

Nancy,

I'm coming up for air for a few minutes. Moving is the pits!!!!

I agree with Candace completely. Most of the old Elnas (prior to the Star series) will have a flat spot on the motor pulley if they have been sitting for any length of time. In the trade the noise they make is called the 'Elna growl'. The fact that the noise has a name tells you just how common it is. If you find one and have to have it, I can resurface or replace the pulley as I have the tool to do it. I personally resurface anytime I can, as it is so much easier than the replacement.

OK, going back into hiding and packing,
Cathy




Originally Posted by BoJangles (Post 5191674)
Candace, how did you discover that the problem was a flat spot on the pulley? Geeze, I watched you sewing - it sounds great. I also went to the tute you made - great job! Thank you! Great information for the rest of us. I don't have an Elna, but who knows I may find one someday and this information is great to have!

Nancy


Mizkaki 05-03-2012 08:49 PM

Candace,

Great tute. That beautiful Elna sound sweet!
Resurfacing sure does make a mess doesn't it?

Cathy



Originally Posted by Candace (Post 5191229)
Hey all, I just made a step by step of how I redressed my vintage Elna pulley (rather than buy a new one and replace). I hope it helps someone else as 90% of these machines that have sat longer than a month without use will get a flat spot on the pulley and sound like jackhammers. Here's the link. http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5191210


SewExtremeSeams 05-03-2012 09:19 PM

BoJangles, Crossstitcher and Charlee, thank you so much for your comments on DH's bowls. I am pretty convinced what he does is much harder than simply cutting fabric and sewing it together. LOL

nurseknitsLaura 05-03-2012 09:46 PM

and, just say you replace the pulley, and than forget to use the machine or prop the drive wheel away from the hand wheel(and you have to take the hand wheel off to do this), if you happen to do this you will need to replace or resurface the pulley AGAIN in about a year. BTDT. Laura

Originally Posted by Candace (Post 5191696)
Nancy, these green, vintage Elnas have one Achilles heel and it's the pulley. If it sounds loud, like a jackhammer and vibrates all over, it's the pulley. An easy diagnosis and I had thought a somewhat PITA fix. 90% of any of these that one would purchase is going to have a flat spot on the pulley. It's the nature of the design of the machine.


melinda1962 05-04-2012 05:57 AM


Originally Posted by SewExtremeSeams (Post 5191110)
Thought you might want to see what my DH does with wood which is similar to what we do with fabric. Love that guy, for sure!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...d-t187969.html


Wow!! Those are beautiful. What talent. We have a local guy who hand turns wooden bowls, and sets up a booth at the local monthly music show to display/sell them, but is kind enough to donate one for a door prize also. Guess who the lucky winner was last month, and whose dear husband immediately put it on the shelf with his "hunting stuff" and filled it with his goodies. As much as he tolerates my sewing, I just told him how good it looked.

Candace 05-04-2012 06:36 AM


Originally Posted by nurseknitsLaura (Post 5192280)
and, just say you replace the pulley, and than forget to use the machine or prop the drive wheel away from the hand wheel(and you have to take the hand wheel off to do this), if you happen to do this you will need to replace or resurface the pulley AGAIN in about a year. BTDT. Laura

Laura, I asked someone on the Elna list about how long it takes for a flat spot to develop and he's worked on LOTS of them. He thinks that only about a week, maybe less and a flat spot develops. It may be a small one. And then you sew and leave it again (new spot) and new flat spot. And it maybe doesn't make the jackhammer sound of one really flat area, but begins to start sounding louder than it should and you don't even notice it. Eventually, you have one loud machine that in the 50's and 60's would be brought in for service, leave like smooth running machines and the machine repair people were thought to have done miracles:>

Candace 05-04-2012 06:38 AM

Cathy, you be sure to let me know if you need any help moving. I have a 4 Runner, so can fit quite a bit in there. And my back is still in good condition.

vintagemotif 05-04-2012 07:30 AM


Originally Posted by SewExtremeSeams (Post 5191110)
Thought you might want to see what my DH does with wood which is similar to what we do with fabric. Love that guy, for sure!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...d-t187969.html

Those bowls are gorgeous! Beautiful work!!!

jljack 05-04-2012 07:34 AM


Originally Posted by Candace (Post 5191229)
Hey all, I just made a step by step of how I redressed my vintage Elna pulley (rather than buy a new one and replace). I hope it helps someone else as 90% of these machines that have sat longer than a month without use will get a flat spot on the pulley and sound like jackhammers. Here's the link. http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5191210

Thanks for that....I will need to do that to my Elna, I know for sure...it's been sitting for about 4 years at least.


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