Welcome, Tspivey.
I'm thinking that pictures might help. It sounds like something is possibly bent or misplaced as the needle itself is always below the face plate. If the needle hits the bobbin and not the needle plate, it may need to be timed
ormaybe the parts need to be cleaned and put in properly.
I'm guessing you have what is called a 15 clone. More info can be found at
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t164361.html If you don't have a manual for it, one can be found at
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...ion-manual.pdf
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.