nanna-up-north

Hello, all. It's been such a long time since I visited but I need your input on a FW I'm working on at the moment.

During a clean/oil and grease session, I discovered thread behind the bobbin assembly. This is a new machine to me and this is it's 1st spa day. So, I took out the gib screw and had a horrible time even getting the gib to move out of the way. Once the bobbin assembly was removed I could get to the thread. Change that to threads. There was 16 1/2" of threads (5 of them) wrapped around behind the bobbin area and I even had to remove the feed dogs to get to the last one. I used a bright light to look down in and I'm pretty confident that I got it all. The gib is moving smoothly now and everything is back together.

But, here is the problem. While turning the hand wheel towards me, at one spot in the turn there seems to be some resistance. It will turn but just at that one place in the turn I can feel it's not as smooth a turn.

Does anyone have any suggestion about what could be causing this problem? Visually I can't see where anything is rubbing there. Everything has been oiled and greased. I put a drop of oil in the bobbin assembly when I put it back together. And this is not my first thread removal. I'm just puzzled.

Okay, I'll sit back and listen. You all are the best and always seem to know what to do. Thanks.

Watson58

also looking for answer to this.

OurWorkbench

With as much thread as you pulled out, I'm wondering if the timing or hook assembly some how got messed up. Was it okay before the thread jam?

I was having trouble with a FW a while back and I think it was one of these videos that helped. I have dial-up internet at home and so haven't checked all these out. It was the hook assembly one that gave me confidence to make sure there wasn't something still stuck behind somewhere.
https://singer-featherweight.com/blo...-hook-assembly
https://singer-featherweight.com/blo...machine-jammed
https://singer-featherweight.com/blo...e-the-gib-hook

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

nanna-up-north

Thanks workbench. Those videos are very helpful. I should know to check for answers on line but you all know this stuff better than most.

And, I think I got that rough spot figured out, too. I found yet one more tiny thread and got it out. Then when I reassembled everything it went together more smoothly and I don't feel that rubbing feel now. I guess you just have to keep looking and trying to figure out where the problems seem to originate.

purplefiend

The tolerances on a Featherweight are so precise that a tiny thread caught behind the bobbin case base can stop it from moving smoothly as you found out. I love sewing with my Featherweights.
Sharon in Texas

1screech

Tread could be wrapped around the turning wheel.

quiltedsunshine

I have to ask... is the presser foot down? If it is, it's probably just when the feed dogs come up and hit the presser foot. I've come across that one a few times.

Lindsey

I am having trouble with my featherweight and I can't get it to move at all. I guess I am going to have to take the whole casing off as I can't get it to pop out taking the gib screw out. The hook does move to the right but thats the only part that does move. I know it has to be thread in there somewhere. I have called a repair man and am just waiting for his call. Lindsey

Tatiana98

Lindsey, What ever happened with your featherweight? I'm having a problem with mine (not as severe as yours) - mine winds threads around the bobbin case & I've tried all the troubleshooting techniques (except changing the needle bar height and timing). I'm trying to avoid taking it to a SMG because it should be something I can do myself!! LOL

Mickey2

The trick is to go through a list of check points, even two or three times. You will eventuall detect the problem.

Basic things;

Needle in flat side to the left, threads from right to left.

Take out the throat plate, bobbin case and bottom drip pan. Inspect hook, race and feed dog area carefully, there might be a piece of thread or broken off needle tip stuck some where. It's surpising how fast lint and fluff can gather on some types of thread.

Clean bobbin case, check for dust, grime, pieces of thread behind the tension spring. Check between the disks on the upper tensoner too.

I would assume needle bar height and timing is fine, it's not the most common problem on these; but while you have the throat plate off you can thread it, put the bobbin case in draw up the bobbin thread and see how the hook picks up the upper thread and loops around the bobbin thread. You can't really form stitches until you have the throat plate back on and a piece of fabric under the presser foot.

Since plates are off and all the cleaning is done you might as well oil and grease the lubrication points. I have even found pieces of thread and lint behind the face plate on some machines. Thorough cleaning and oiling will sort out a lot of issues, this model can be a bit tricky since it's very compact and have a few hard to reach places.

Another thing with the featherweight; always start with the needle down, hold the bobbin and upper thread on the first stitch; just pull them it lightly backwards to prevent them from getting dragged down before the first couple of stitches secures them. This is a common cause of thread mess on these.

To sum it up, in need of cleaning, caught piece of thread, and thread getting pulled down the needle hole are the most common causes of thread mess. If the machine is new to you, make sure all gears, hinges, joints and levers move freely, stuck or slugish parts it can cause all sort of diffuse problems.