Originally Posted by
Mizkaki
Joe,
It's really rare for these old straight stitch machines to go out of hook timing. They usually had a roll pin placed instead of a set screw when the factory set the timing, making it darn near impossible for the timing to go out.
Frequently the needlebar height is the issue. Needlebar height always has to be set before
the hook is timed, so start there. This is the way I check. Turn the machine’s handwheel in the normal direction until the point of the needle reaches “dead bottom center”. DBC is where the needle is at it’s lowest point. Starting there turn the handwheel until the needle has risen exactly .093 inches. The point of the needle should now be directly behind the needle in the middle of the scarf (dip in the needle just above the eye). If not, where is the point? If the needle has risen .093” and the hook point is not behind the needle then the timing may be off. If it is behind the needle, but not in the scarf then the needlebar height is off.
Always start with a new needle and make sure it is not a stretch needle.
You said that the thread jams. Which thread, needle or bobbin? Check both tensions. Make sure the presserbar is down (easy to forget).
Cathy
Cathy,
Some clarifications for me:
Where on the machine do I measure this .093"? That is a very specific measurement, so it much have reference points to achieve.
Back to the machine:
When I got this machine, there was an interference between the presser foot and needle clamps. Comparing the EDISON to my HOTHER (which runs great) I found the presser foot set high, and the needle bar low ... wait, was it the other way around? I don't know, at any rate when the presser bar was lifted and the hand wheel turned the two parts hit each other.
The feed dogs were also out of adjustment, the middle row of teeth would hit the forward edge of the needle plate's slot when it was put in reverse.
So ...... using information I received from folks over on the Sewing Forum (before it was killed by the spammers ) I worked on adjusting it. I can't find that specific information right now, it might be on my other computer. I gotta look.
They also suggested the Singer 15-91 service books but they are enough different that I can't make the connection between them and the Edison.
OK, to last night.
I set the machine on my bench, put a bobbin in it, a spool of thread and tried to tread it. I simply could not get the thread through the eye of the needle so I put another needle in it. (Now, the needle that was in it was a Singer 90-14 needle, but the point was not a point it was a chisel shape. I'm not familiar with that one. And it's eye was small for a 14. The one I put in it came from a Schmetz 90-14 Universal type needle box.)
Threaded it up and started sewing by turning it by hand. It sewed...... hmmm. So then I put a belt on it, plugged it in and slowly powered it up. It sewed ......
Before when I tried it would jam up under the needle plate. But I put it away about three months ago and have been so occupied with other things I cannot remember just how it messed up.
I sewed scraps with it last night for quite a while. Ran two partial bobbins out and broke the top thread a number of times.
The only thing I can say for positive right now is the bobbin / top tension is out of balance. The bobbin thread is just running flat across the surface.
I'm going to work on that as well as check what you told me.
Will report back later.
Joe