You know I had one just like that which I purchased at Sears when I was working there in 1969 (WOW). Wish I still had it, dumb move to give it away, it would sew ANYTHING! I had problems with tangling thread too, the shuttle cock bobbin area had nicks on it from needles hitting it, so bought new one and then it worked like a charm. Check it out first may save yourself a bit of money by purchasing a new one. DON"T EVER GET RID OF IT!!!