Originally Posted by Darcene
Originally Posted by fleurdelisquilts.com
Originally Posted by Charlee
WOOHOO!! Thanks so much for the offer!! :)
I have a Kenmore that the feeddogs don't work properly on...they move and "cycle", but they don't drop below the plate, so that all they do is move the fabric back and forth with no progression. I've downloaded a service manual for it, torn into it, and checked for a lint buildup under the dogs...nothing. I've adjusted the height of the dogs to it's lowest point...nothing.
Any other suggestions? It was my mom's machine, I'd love to be able to use it!
Richard says the collar is probably hung up or stuck, so the feeddogs can't work properly. Try this: open the machine so you can see the inside, turn the handwheel by hand in sewing direction and watch the feeddogs, when they get to the farthest back position, roll just a hair more so you can see when the dogs should begin to move down. Clean and oil (lots of oil) and move the hand wheel back and forth just a little to work the oil onto the collar. Re-oil and work the hand wheel again, and keep this up until the collar starts to move and the dogs roll down and around. It takes time and patience to loosen the dogs and collar but it should eventually work.
I also have a Kenmore (158.16012) with "frozen" feed dogs---they move back and forth but not up and down....my question for Rich is this---in the photo I have attached is the point of the pencil pointing to the collar? I am using PB Blaster on the moving parts and a blow dryer set to hot in an effort to loosen up this joint...it would be great to know if I am working in the correct area....
Frustrated in KS,
Darcene
Darcene, Richard says you found the collar. Oil everything and take lots of time unsticking it.
Here's a little extra help: to the left of where the pen is pointing there should be a pin that hooks to another arm--just follow it back till you find the second arm. You can spray the whole thing with penetrating oil (WD40, for example) and let it sit and soak in a while (overnight is okay). You'll probably need to lay the machine on its back to spray and let it soak in. When you're ready, set it back upright and try turning the machine by hand. Again, go slowly so you don't force it out of timing (which might happen anyway). If it feels like it wants to loosen, shoot it down with lots of machine oil and work it loose. If not, go back to the penetrating oil--spray and soak, try turning it gently, repeat. It might take several times of spraying and soaking. (He worked on one of my old machines for two days after I overheated it without oiling it enough. It was cheap, 1., and 2. I hadn't frozen a machine yet by forgetting to oil it. Anyway, he completely disassembled the machine, sprayed the frozen parts down and walked away--to my shock! Just left me standing there. But an hour later he came back, sprayed, played, sprayed it again and left. Two days!!! Finally it broke loose. I'd given up and started looking at new machines but didn't get one cause he fixed the old cheapie. I learned the hard way that to get a new machine with a mechanic in the house takes more than roughing up the machine!) Good luck and let me know if it works. Mary