Iris and I also looked at the bobbin case. Candace, you were right someone was using the wrong needle and the bobbin case is all torn up. We worked on the burrs a bit - it is going to take more than I was able to do with what was on hand. The needle plate was a bit torn up as well. I also noticed the rod the tension goes on is not quite horizontal so one day will have to tackle that. Then we looked at the electric parts - Iris thinks I need to scrap them & put Mr. Ed in a treadle. He does have a VERY fine cabinet though - one of the best I have ever seen for an electric.... I wonder if a hand crank would go on there?