Just tried again and only succeeded in breaking the thread off and pricking my thumb and making it bleed. I went to Nova Montgomery's page and tried to see what I could get from there, but she talks about kerosene and pulling on the thread. Now I've broken the thread off, so I can't try what she's recommending. I tried to take out that tiny little screw at the bottom to see if I could remove any of the metal pieces but was not able to and am worried about messing up the slot where the screwdriver goes.
I'm a little nervous about taking it in to the local repair person because I worry it really needs someone who specializes in Featherweights and old machines. Worried about my 'baby,'
