This is my mistake, I should have started you at the beginning of "timing". From my page here:
http://www.archaicarcane.com/excuse-...have-the-time/
- In order for the stitch to be formed correctly, the needle must provide the thread “in time” for the hook to grab it.
- Or put another way: the hook must be in the right position “in time” to grab the thread when the needle is down.
- Additionally, the feed dogs need to be “in time” with this whole process, in order to not pull on the fabric while the needle is still inside it.
If this doesn’t happen several things can occur, such as: the stitch doesn’t form, the fabric doesn’t advance correctly, the needle breaks, the fabric may be damaged. At this point, we refer to the machine as being “out of time” or needing to be timed.
Timing is not really about that mark on the needlebar. It's a helpful reference only. In fact many machines don't even have them. All of the Singer's I've seen do though.
When we talk about the hook point, that's the sharp point that moves around in the bobbin case. THIS is the most important part of timing. The hook is the magic behind a sewing machine making a stitch.
The problem with most service manuals it that they assume a certain amount of previous understanding. Like a service Manual for a car, it might not detail all the steps and it certainly doesn't cover the why because it's assumed that the person using the service manual has previous training. I want to give you the training that will make that manual make sense.
OK, Step 1: take off the throat plate, remove the presser foot.
While you do that, I'm going to hobble downstairs and try to take a couple of photos for you.
Before I forget though, I must say thank you SO MUCH for the clear photos!! I've been receiving an obscene number of blurry photos that I've been trying to interpret lately in preparation for the class I'm giving next month. Some of them, I haven't been sure they were sewing machines!