1936 Singer 15 Feed Dog problems
#1
1936 Singer 15 Feed Dog problems
I purchased this machine for $40.00. Finally had a little time to play with her. Having trouble with the feed dogs. Fabric doesn't pull. Any idea what could be wrong?
Also, by the serial number AE354842, it is a Singer 15. What is the difference between the 15-88, 15-91, etc?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Also, by the serial number AE354842, it is a Singer 15. What is the difference between the 15-88, 15-91, etc?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
#2
Great buy. First of all I'd lubricate under the machine where the feed dogs live. Some Singers have a release (wing nut?) under the base to release the fed dogs for FMQ. Some one else who has used it can better describe this.. Or a manual if you have one.
15-91s are potted motors, not belt drive like yours. Other variations are smaller .
I am surprised by your base. Looks like there is no room for a top case.
15-91s are potted motors, not belt drive like yours. Other variations are smaller .
I am surprised by your base. Looks like there is no room for a top case.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
Feed dog problems are almost always solved by cleaning and oiling.
1. Unscrew the stitch plate and clean the area around feed dogs (probably race, hook and bobbin case too). Scrape each groove in the feed dog plate clean, and polish parts up if needed.
2. The feed dogs roll on a cam like part under the base. It's linked by multiple parts from the stitch length lever to the feed dogs; which means you have to pay particular attention too the oil points involving these parts. One of them is likely frozen up and needs extra attention when it comes to dissolving dried up oil and grime. The trick is to oil all parts on the machine, then move the stitch length lever to extreme posistions and run the machine for a bit between oilings. Eventually it will free up, but in stubborn cases you might need to let the oil seep in over nigh and keep up a daily oiling and test sewing routine for a while. Dirt and grime tend to loosen gradually and it takes time for fresh new oil to flush out and replace old dirt and grime.
3. Feed dogs could be lowered, it has a screw under the base, it has two position feed dogs raised or lowered.
Best of luck with your new machine. Yours look like it's in nice condition and should shine up very well. Model 15 had a long production span, and it went through various minor chances and improvements along the way. There is an old version of model 15 with a different stitch length adjustment mechanism than yours. You have the newer with reverse. It also came as treadle, hand crank, belt driven motor and like yours a direct gear driven motor a.k.a potted motor. The subnumbers indicate these variants.
1. Unscrew the stitch plate and clean the area around feed dogs (probably race, hook and bobbin case too). Scrape each groove in the feed dog plate clean, and polish parts up if needed.
2. The feed dogs roll on a cam like part under the base. It's linked by multiple parts from the stitch length lever to the feed dogs; which means you have to pay particular attention too the oil points involving these parts. One of them is likely frozen up and needs extra attention when it comes to dissolving dried up oil and grime. The trick is to oil all parts on the machine, then move the stitch length lever to extreme posistions and run the machine for a bit between oilings. Eventually it will free up, but in stubborn cases you might need to let the oil seep in over nigh and keep up a daily oiling and test sewing routine for a while. Dirt and grime tend to loosen gradually and it takes time for fresh new oil to flush out and replace old dirt and grime.
3. Feed dogs could be lowered, it has a screw under the base, it has two position feed dogs raised or lowered.
Best of luck with your new machine. Yours look like it's in nice condition and should shine up very well. Model 15 had a long production span, and it went through various minor chances and improvements along the way. There is an old version of model 15 with a different stitch length adjustment mechanism than yours. You have the newer with reverse. It also came as treadle, hand crank, belt driven motor and like yours a direct gear driven motor a.k.a potted motor. The subnumbers indicate these variants.
Last edited by Mickey2; 07-26-2017 at 09:52 AM.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,887
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,887
bkay
#7
I purchased this machine for $40.00. Finally had a little time to play with her. Having trouble with the feed dogs. Fabric doesn't pull. Any idea what could be wrong?
Also, by the serial number AE354842, it is a Singer 15. What is the difference between the 15-88, 15-91, etc?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Also, by the serial number AE354842, it is a Singer 15. What is the difference between the 15-88, 15-91, etc?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
http://www.singerco.com/uploads/down...54a175ca4c.pdf
Ismacs has a comprehensive model list and for 0-99 models can be found at http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...sses-1-99.html
Needlebar has some 15 model differences at http://needlebar.org/main/15chart/index.html
Of course cleaning and oiling are a good thing to do no matter if feed dogs are lowered or raised
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Last edited by OurWorkbench; 07-26-2017 at 11:54 AM. Reason: wrong link - wrong page
#10
Good eye Annette. I'm one that will frequently release the pressure regulator on my machines. Probably more than once went to sew, and wondered why it wouldn't.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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