Two things I hear over and over re: FWs--one is to always make sure the "finger" of the bobbin race is in the right position in the needle plate, and that the TINIEST bit of thread or fluff caught in the bobbin area will cause the machine to bind up.
Originally Posted by BoJangles
Janice really glad to hear you finally got that Lotus!
To those of you who think they need to 'time' a FW or any of the old machines, Billy has always said that it is nearly impossible to mess up the timing on those vintage machines. He has commented several times about people who think the timing is off -- and it is not off -- something else is wrong.
With the FW, I'd start with a really deep cleaning. If the needle won't go down, it is usually something wrapped in or around the hook/race, bobbin case or even the handwheel having a thread behind the clutch!
I remember Billy talking about all the machines he gets that people think have timing issues and they don't!
Billy?
Nancy