Singer 27-4 More Help (Me Too!)
03-10-2013, 08:12 AM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southeastern Michigan
Posts: 136
Singer 27-4 More Help (Me Too!)
So.... Since I had a machine head without a cabinet, I went out last weekend and bought this gorgeous Singer 27-4 in a decent cabinet for $75.
I ordered a new belt since the other one was broken, nice though because they still had the broken belt so I could use it to measure for the new one. Got it on the first try.
I cannot get this thing to make a stitch though. I am 100% sure this is user error. I have a manual that I printed off from the Singer site but hopefully you can all confirm for me a few things. Does the needle go in with the flat section facing front? That is what the manual looks like it should be however, I am not making any stitches. When I do, the bottom thread is all loopy.
Here are some pictures of my new toy. I wish one of you lived close to me to help this new treadle owner over the initial hump.
I ordered a new belt since the other one was broken, nice though because they still had the broken belt so I could use it to measure for the new one. Got it on the first try.
I cannot get this thing to make a stitch though. I am 100% sure this is user error. I have a manual that I printed off from the Singer site but hopefully you can all confirm for me a few things. Does the needle go in with the flat section facing front? That is what the manual looks like it should be however, I am not making any stitches. When I do, the bottom thread is all loopy.
Here are some pictures of my new toy. I wish one of you lived close to me to help this new treadle owner over the initial hump.
03-10-2013, 08:53 AM
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southeastern Michigan
Posts: 136
How stinking cool! I got it working. I definitely had the needle in the wrong way. So funny, I have three Featherweights that thread from right to left. New machines as compared to my vintages babies that thread front to back and a badged Good Housekeeper and this treadle that thread left to right. eGads, who knew there could be so many ways.
I am still playing with the tension but it is 100% better than it was. I am so geeked about this.
I am still playing with the tension but it is 100% better than it was. I am so geeked about this.
03-10-2013, 02:22 PM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
QuiltFaerie,
All the plated pieces on that machine are ambered with old dried and solidified oil, including the top tension. It really should be taken off the machine, cleaned thoroughly with a oil removing solvent then properly reassembled and adjusted. That old solidified oil will drag on the thread and mess your tension up.
Joe
All the plated pieces on that machine are ambered with old dried and solidified oil, including the top tension. It really should be taken off the machine, cleaned thoroughly with a oil removing solvent then properly reassembled and adjusted. That old solidified oil will drag on the thread and mess your tension up.
Joe
03-11-2013, 06:46 AM
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southeastern Michigan
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Hi Joe,
Thank you. I will try cleaning off the old oil. Do you have a product you prefer to do this with? I have no problem pulling this thing apart. I figure after I had to pull my long arm part and put it back together, this should be a walk in the park.
Gail
Thank you. I will try cleaning off the old oil. Do you have a product you prefer to do this with? I have no problem pulling this thing apart. I figure after I had to pull my long arm part and put it back together, this should be a walk in the park.
Gail
03-22-2013, 07:10 AM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southeastern Michigan
Posts: 136
Hi Joe,
Last night, I used Hoppe's #9 Gun Solvent to pull apart and clean my tensioner on the Singer 27-4 or maybe 27-3. It was way easier than I thought and wow was it gunky. I also cleaned underneath where the thread travels down to the hook. The tension is better but the top thread is still winning the fight even with the shuttle tension cranked down. I am going to take more pictures to post to see what other suggestions there are. I wanted to do it this morning but this little nagging thing called a job stopped me since I was, as usual, already running late.
If I take the tension nut completely off, the stitch looks way better. Do I need a new tensioner? Or maybe a new bobbin shuttle?
I know, pictures would be most helpful, I promise will take some and post them this evening. :-) Dumb job, even if it does provide disposable income and pay my bills.
Gail
Last night, I used Hoppe's #9 Gun Solvent to pull apart and clean my tensioner on the Singer 27-4 or maybe 27-3. It was way easier than I thought and wow was it gunky. I also cleaned underneath where the thread travels down to the hook. The tension is better but the top thread is still winning the fight even with the shuttle tension cranked down. I am going to take more pictures to post to see what other suggestions there are. I wanted to do it this morning but this little nagging thing called a job stopped me since I was, as usual, already running late.
If I take the tension nut completely off, the stitch looks way better. Do I need a new tensioner? Or maybe a new bobbin shuttle?
I know, pictures would be most helpful, I promise will take some and post them this evening. :-) Dumb job, even if it does provide disposable income and pay my bills.
Gail
03-22-2013, 07:53 AM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Gail,
You just described the exact same problem I had with the top tension on my 127. The beehive spring was just too strong. The only way I could get the machine to sew was to remove the nut. Same as your machine.
I finally took the machine to my LSMG who has a box full of tension springs and picked through them till I found one that would give me the needed tension with the knob on and adjustable.
It's my "theory" that the thread used back then was so much different than what we have today, that the tension used were much tighter. All I can suggest is hunt down a lighter spring.
Joe
You just described the exact same problem I had with the top tension on my 127. The beehive spring was just too strong. The only way I could get the machine to sew was to remove the nut. Same as your machine.
I finally took the machine to my LSMG who has a box full of tension springs and picked through them till I found one that would give me the needed tension with the knob on and adjustable.
It's my "theory" that the thread used back then was so much different than what we have today, that the tension used were much tighter. All I can suggest is hunt down a lighter spring.
Joe
03-22-2013, 10:33 AM
#9
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southeastern Michigan
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by J Miller
Gail,
You just described the exact same problem I had with the top tension on my 127. The beehive spring was just too strong. The only way I could get the machine to sew was to remove the nut. Same as your machine.
I finally took the machine to my LSMG who has a box full of tension springs and picked through them till I found one that would give me the needed tension with the knob on and adjustable.
It's my "theory" that the thread used back then was so much different than what we have today, that the tension used were much tighter. All I can suggest is hunt down a lighter spring.
Joe
You just described the exact same problem I had with the top tension on my 127. The beehive spring was just too strong. The only way I could get the machine to sew was to remove the nut. Same as your machine.
I finally took the machine to my LSMG who has a box full of tension springs and picked through them till I found one that would give me the needed tension with the knob on and adjustable.
It's my "theory" that the thread used back then was so much different than what we have today, that the tension used were much tighter. All I can suggest is hunt down a lighter spring.
Joe
I will try that and let you know what happens. Thank you!
Gail
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