Originally Posted by
JoeJr
I am not familiar with that machine, but had the same issue with an older machine, a Singer 503A, where the clutch was slipping. I took it apart and wiped down the small clutch piece and the metal face on the hand wheel, which had oil on them, and the machine stopped slipping. I cannot tell from the pictures, but in the first picture it looks as though the clutch is still on the shaft; if that pulls off then I would try cleaning it.
I don't think the broken plastic piece is the problem; that appears to be a support rib for the inner circle on the hand wheel. If you want to try to glue it back then clean all the surfaces and try some plastic epoxy. Either way I wouldn't put too much torque on the hand wheel because without that rib there is more pressure on the remaining ones, making them prone to breakage; in fact I would examine the remaining ones for cracks and if you can get to them use the epoxy to fill any cracks.
Joe
The problem I have is not really that the handwheel is slipping in some way, but the retaining screw that attaches the handwheel (Last Photo) itself becomes intermittently loose .The handwheel still operates correctly, but clearly I am concerned at why this loosening happens.
I am indebted to you for your observations of the handwheel support ribs and you view that the internal forces caused by the drive lug (First Photo) is responsible for the breakage. I am on the lookout for a replacement handwheel, but these seem to be difficult to source at the moment. I will of course consider the use of epoxy by way of repair if necessary.
Regards