First, THANK YOU to everyone who has offered help with my new machine. I know it will happen but, as of this moment, my girl still isn't running. One of the first things I did when it didn't run was check to see if the small wheel was disingaged. I remembered that from my first Kenmore. Also, the very first thing I did when I brought it home was to read the 'mint condition' manual and match the little numbers with the places on the machine. I just didn't want to do anything to break it. I have the bobbin case out and everything looks clean there. That first Kenmore was a real stickler with that bobbin case. The light works great, yippee, so I know there is hope. I could have my wonderful husband take a look at it but I haven't told him I bought it just yet. He is of the mind that if you have one machine, why do you need another one. I love him dearly, especially since he is so great about all the foster kitties, but we don't see eye to eye on the matter of sewing machines. Will pick just the right time to spring it on him. Heading to the store tomorrow to get some new oil and grease. If I go to a Singer dealer, will they have the type of grease I need?
Again, many thanks for all the advice and encouragement. I have wanted to be part of this "club" for such a long time but everytime I looked at them, they just kept getting more expensive. I envied those I would read about that came across one at a local Goodwill. I just told myself that if I was meant to have one, it would come in good time. They did say that the reason they were willing to take so much less was because of my work with the kitties. They were very gracious and didn't swear at me for my low-ball offer, even though I did apologize for it before I made it. All they could have said was "no" and I would have understood. I just want to sew on it so badly. It's like having a new toy that I can't play with. Oh wait, it is exactly that!
Have to quit. Too hard to type with 5 kittens trying to "help". Will try all the suggestions I hadn't got to and oil and grease where needed. Probably will need a new belt also. Hopefully, next post will be "sewed my first seam"! Blessings to all.