Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
05-23-2011, 10:21 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 559
Nancy[/quote]
I might have to drop by one of these days and surprise you all! Its not like I wont be in the neighborhood in a way, I have a date in SoCal to go machine hunting. :D Billy
Billy we will take you up on that. Just realize that So Cal if about a six to eight hour drive from us. Kathie
I might have to drop by one of these days and surprise you all! Its not like I wont be in the neighborhood in a way, I have a date in SoCal to go machine hunting. :D Billy
Billy we will take you up on that. Just realize that So Cal if about a six to eight hour drive from us. Kathie
05-23-2011, 10:32 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 741
Vintage - No, no, no - I didn't mock the 774. I just asked if anyone knows anything about this model (by the way - it's also called "The Stylist".)
05-23-2011, 10:42 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 480
Originally Posted by vintagemotif
Originally Posted by jtapp9
A piece of advice please?
In the 500A that I just got recently, If it is not threaded it will sit and "sew" like mad. No catching or glitches or anything. As soon as I put thread in it and attempt to sew then I can feel it tightening up, like its catching, and the thread will break after maybe 4 stitches. Lots of birds nest underneath. Sometimes it wont even start to sew on its own and the two handwheels will part and the inner one (larger) will spin but not the outer (smaller) one. As soon as I pull the thread out it will "sew" again.
I have changed the needle. I have taken the tension unit off and loosened it. I have tried several different kinds of thread. I've checked the bobbin area for crud.
Any other things I can try tonight?
I've had to put them away a bit because I kept tinkering with machines and NOT getting any sewing done. I've about come to the conclusion that I should just pay the money for ones that have already been serviced. My patience really does wear thin pretty quickly when it comes to tinkering with minor problems with seemingly no fixes...lol. I had decided to take them to the local SMS for a servicing but seems their number is no longer in service :(....sucks for me.
In the 500A that I just got recently, If it is not threaded it will sit and "sew" like mad. No catching or glitches or anything. As soon as I put thread in it and attempt to sew then I can feel it tightening up, like its catching, and the thread will break after maybe 4 stitches. Lots of birds nest underneath. Sometimes it wont even start to sew on its own and the two handwheels will part and the inner one (larger) will spin but not the outer (smaller) one. As soon as I pull the thread out it will "sew" again.
I have changed the needle. I have taken the tension unit off and loosened it. I have tried several different kinds of thread. I've checked the bobbin area for crud.
Any other things I can try tonight?
I've had to put them away a bit because I kept tinkering with machines and NOT getting any sewing done. I've about come to the conclusion that I should just pay the money for ones that have already been serviced. My patience really does wear thin pretty quickly when it comes to tinkering with minor problems with seemingly no fixes...lol. I had decided to take them to the local SMS for a servicing but seems their number is no longer in service :(....sucks for me.
I already had a 301, a 66 and a 192K. I just picked up the second 301 and a 500A and 503A.
I can't think of it in terms of wasting my time considering the 500A is supposed to be one of the best for doing decorative stitches. The others, although I love them, don't do anything but straight stitch and I want to end up with at least one machine that I can get a little fancier with (when the need arises..lol)
05-23-2011, 11:22 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,972
Originally Posted by jtapp9
Originally Posted by vintagemotif
Originally Posted by jtapp9
A piece of advice please?
In the 500A that I just got recently, If it is not threaded it will sit and "sew" like mad. No catching or glitches or anything. As soon as I put thread in it and attempt to sew then I can feel it tightening up, like its catching, and the thread will break after maybe 4 stitches. Lots of birds nest underneath. Sometimes it wont even start to sew on its own and the two handwheels will part and the inner one (larger) will spin but not the outer (smaller) one. As soon as I pull the thread out it will "sew" again.
I have changed the needle. I have taken the tension unit off and loosened it. I have tried several different kinds of thread. I've checked the bobbin area for crud.
Any other things I can try tonight?
I've had to put them away a bit because I kept tinkering with machines and NOT getting any sewing done. I've about come to the conclusion that I should just pay the money for ones that have already been serviced. My patience really does wear thin pretty quickly when it comes to tinkering with minor problems with seemingly no fixes...lol. I had decided to take them to the local SMS for a servicing but seems their number is no longer in service :(....sucks for me.
In the 500A that I just got recently, If it is not threaded it will sit and "sew" like mad. No catching or glitches or anything. As soon as I put thread in it and attempt to sew then I can feel it tightening up, like its catching, and the thread will break after maybe 4 stitches. Lots of birds nest underneath. Sometimes it wont even start to sew on its own and the two handwheels will part and the inner one (larger) will spin but not the outer (smaller) one. As soon as I pull the thread out it will "sew" again.
I have changed the needle. I have taken the tension unit off and loosened it. I have tried several different kinds of thread. I've checked the bobbin area for crud.
Any other things I can try tonight?
I've had to put them away a bit because I kept tinkering with machines and NOT getting any sewing done. I've about come to the conclusion that I should just pay the money for ones that have already been serviced. My patience really does wear thin pretty quickly when it comes to tinkering with minor problems with seemingly no fixes...lol. I had decided to take them to the local SMS for a servicing but seems their number is no longer in service :(....sucks for me.
I already had a 301, a 66 and a 192K. I just picked up the second 301 and a 500A and 503A.
I can't think of it in terms of wasting my time considering the 500A is supposed to be one of the best for doing decorative stitches. The others, although I love them, don't do anything but straight stitch and I want to end up with at least one machine that I can get a little fancier with (when the need arises..lol)
I try to have two of every machine that I use, one for parts. Since most of the time I can find a machine for cheaper than if I have to purchase parts off of ebay or elsewhere, it becomes the parts machine, a backup.
Remember I'm the treadle person, so not into electric machines. So, my frustration last night is carrying over to throw the dang electric plastic machines out.
Sorry, I forgot that is was cool looking "Jeston" Rocketeer. Keep that machine!
05-23-2011, 11:52 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
jtapp, I'm thinking the needle on the 500. Put it away and sew on a another machine until you go to town, and just fun, pick up some Singer needles. My 301 will not FMQ without breaking the thread with a Schmetz needle. I am not a fan of Singer needles, but she is. I am FMQ right now. I'd like to put in a Schmetz needle just to see what happens, but I'm not going to. The machine is being perfect and rayon thread isn't fun to take it because it breaks too easily. The 500 is one of the machines I'd like to have so I'm interested in what you find out.
Laura59, I don't know if the FW has the same type of paint as the 301, but I had to clean my tan 301 with Oxyclean. The machine was even colored, but yellowish and didn't feel clean. It was layered with that grungy yellow-tan coating that heavy smokers leave behind. It's very clean now and the small part I waxed looks good. I didn't wax it all yet because there are few more things I want to do with it first.
Laura59, I don't know if the FW has the same type of paint as the 301, but I had to clean my tan 301 with Oxyclean. The machine was even colored, but yellowish and didn't feel clean. It was layered with that grungy yellow-tan coating that heavy smokers leave behind. It's very clean now and the small part I waxed looks good. I didn't wax it all yet because there are few more things I want to do with it first.
05-23-2011, 11:54 AM
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
Originally Posted by vintagemotif
Originally Posted by jtapp9
A piece of advice please?
In the 500A that I just got recently, If it is not threaded it will sit and "sew" like mad. No catching or glitches or anything. As soon as I put thread in it and attempt to sew then I can feel it tightening up, like its catching, and the thread will break after maybe 4 stitches. Lots of birds nest underneath. Sometimes it wont even start to sew on its own and the two handwheels will part and the inner one (larger) will spin but not the outer (smaller) one. As soon as I pull the thread out it will "sew" again.
I have changed the needle. I have taken the tension unit off and loosened it. I have tried several different kinds of thread. I've checked the bobbin area for crud.
Any other things I can try tonight?
I've had to put them away a bit because I kept tinkering with machines and NOT getting any sewing done. I've about come to the conclusion that I should just pay the money for ones that have already been serviced. My patience really does wear thin pretty quickly when it comes to tinkering with minor problems with seemingly no fixes...lol. I had decided to take them to the local SMS for a servicing but seems their number is no longer in service :(....sucks for me.
In the 500A that I just got recently, If it is not threaded it will sit and "sew" like mad. No catching or glitches or anything. As soon as I put thread in it and attempt to sew then I can feel it tightening up, like its catching, and the thread will break after maybe 4 stitches. Lots of birds nest underneath. Sometimes it wont even start to sew on its own and the two handwheels will part and the inner one (larger) will spin but not the outer (smaller) one. As soon as I pull the thread out it will "sew" again.
I have changed the needle. I have taken the tension unit off and loosened it. I have tried several different kinds of thread. I've checked the bobbin area for crud.
Any other things I can try tonight?
I've had to put them away a bit because I kept tinkering with machines and NOT getting any sewing done. I've about come to the conclusion that I should just pay the money for ones that have already been serviced. My patience really does wear thin pretty quickly when it comes to tinkering with minor problems with seemingly no fixes...lol. I had decided to take them to the local SMS for a servicing but seems their number is no longer in service :(....sucks for me.
05-23-2011, 12:45 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 480
Irishrose, as much as it pains me I will get some Singer needles ;)
Miriam, Gutermann thread perhaps? I have tried it, Coats N Clark, Connecting Threads, Aurifil and some cheap a$$ 2/$1 thread from Walmart that I'm trying to use up...lol. I knew the machine wasn't quite right when I bought it. I'm sure its probably something simple but those are the ones that drive a person the craziest..hahaha. I"m going to try moving the thread because it does jerk a lot. I've tried threadign it differently, don't remember where I read another way to do it, but I've tried that way. I really believe it is either in the tensioner or something in the bobbin case...just got to figure it out.
I play with them for a little bit then I have to put them away. For one thing, I never get any sewing done if I PLAY with the machines for very long :).
The 503A would probably right now run better, but its missing some parts and I'd rather get the "whole" 500A up and running and then think about what I want to do with the 503A.
I don't plan on giving up on the 500 even if I have to pay to ship it to someone to work on for me! :)
Miriam, Gutermann thread perhaps? I have tried it, Coats N Clark, Connecting Threads, Aurifil and some cheap a$$ 2/$1 thread from Walmart that I'm trying to use up...lol. I knew the machine wasn't quite right when I bought it. I'm sure its probably something simple but those are the ones that drive a person the craziest..hahaha. I"m going to try moving the thread because it does jerk a lot. I've tried threadign it differently, don't remember where I read another way to do it, but I've tried that way. I really believe it is either in the tensioner or something in the bobbin case...just got to figure it out.
I play with them for a little bit then I have to put them away. For one thing, I never get any sewing done if I PLAY with the machines for very long :).
The 503A would probably right now run better, but its missing some parts and I'd rather get the "whole" 500A up and running and then think about what I want to do with the 503A.
I don't plan on giving up on the 500 even if I have to pay to ship it to someone to work on for me! :)
05-23-2011, 12:47 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 559
The meeting is coming up, beginning of June. I would love to meet up with you too.[/quote]
Thanks for the heads up on the meeting. Do you know when? Kathie
Thanks for the heads up on the meeting. Do you know when? Kathie
05-23-2011, 01:06 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
Originally Posted by jtapp9
Irishrose, as much as it pains me I will get some Singer needles ;)
Miriam, Gutermann thread perhaps? I have tried it, Coats N Clark, Connecting Threads, Aurifil and some cheap a$$ 2/$1 thread from Walmart that I'm trying to use up...lol. I knew the machine wasn't quite right when I bought it. I'm sure its probably something simple but those are the ones that drive a person the craziest..hahaha. I"m going to try moving the thread because it does jerk a lot. I've tried threadign it differently, don't remember where I read another way to do it, but I've tried that way. I really believe it is either in the tensioner or something in the bobbin case...just got to figure it out.
I play with them for a little bit then I have to put them away. For one thing, I never get any sewing done if I PLAY with the machines for very long :).
The 503A would probably right now run better, but its missing some parts and I'd rather get the "whole" 500A up and running and then think about what I want to do with the 503A.
I don't plan on giving up on the 500 even if I have to pay to ship it to someone to work on for me! :)
Miriam, Gutermann thread perhaps? I have tried it, Coats N Clark, Connecting Threads, Aurifil and some cheap a$$ 2/$1 thread from Walmart that I'm trying to use up...lol. I knew the machine wasn't quite right when I bought it. I'm sure its probably something simple but those are the ones that drive a person the craziest..hahaha. I"m going to try moving the thread because it does jerk a lot. I've tried threadign it differently, don't remember where I read another way to do it, but I've tried that way. I really believe it is either in the tensioner or something in the bobbin case...just got to figure it out.
I play with them for a little bit then I have to put them away. For one thing, I never get any sewing done if I PLAY with the machines for very long :).
The 503A would probably right now run better, but its missing some parts and I'd rather get the "whole" 500A up and running and then think about what I want to do with the 503A.
I don't plan on giving up on the 500 even if I have to pay to ship it to someone to work on for me! :)
http://www.tandtrepair.com/SlantOMatics.html
check there for threading info - great site - good info
05-23-2011, 01:06 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,743
[quote=Kathie S.]
Kathie, Your GNO sounds like so much fun. Maybe we can start a San Diego chapter. Anyone, besides Billy, interested?
I couldn't commit to a weekly, but maybe monthly get together.
Lisa
Originally Posted by Lostn51
Are you in So Cal?
Billy
I am just North of Sacramento. Kathie
Billy
I am just North of Sacramento. Kathie
I couldn't commit to a weekly, but maybe monthly get together.
Lisa
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