Hi everybody! My sewing machine quit. A friend had given me his mothers Coronado Automatic Zigzag sewing machine after she had passed away. I had never tried it but now that my machine has quit, I tried it out. I didn't get a manual with it and it is on a zigzag stitch. I have turned every knob and can't get it to sew straight. :cry: I just can't figure it out.
Does anyone have or know about these old sewing machines.
Here is a picture of it. If you know anything that might help, I'd love to hear from you. I did a search on the internet and can't find anything. It was made in Japan.

It might be that there is a cam in the top. If it is, when you remove it, it will sew straight stitch by default.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18552579.tip.html
I found this page in google. Maybe there is some answers for you there.

Check stitch length and stitch width.....especially the width....

Thank you but I had already found that site and it didn't help. I checked out the links to the right too. I also went to sewusa.com like it said but they had nothing on Coronado's. Thanks for the help though. I appreciate it.
Marilyn

I don't know which knob is which, but I turned them all. Nothing moved the needle. I'll try it again. I just turned the top knob on the right and I kind of forced it to turn. It only wanted to go from one number to the next. I turned it and when I did, it also changed the number on the front knob. I could only get the front knob to go from 1-4. I couldn't get it to go to 0, but now it did and I'm sewing straight!!! Yeah!!!

Does anyone have any ideas on how to oil this machine? It's been "parked" for 2 or 3 years. Thanks alot for the help.
Gotta go sew!!! Yeah!!!!

I seem to of got it fixed for now. Thanks! I don't see a cam.

the knobs.
I'm not sure it's kind of hard to tell but the one with the redish center is more than likely the indicator for that top one and if your machine is anything like mine those are your different stitch designs,

The small silver one on top above where the needle is should be the foot pressure knob

the white one on flat surface of machine bed is the feed dog control
can't tell what that tiny silver one next to the reverse lever is for but the one above lever is either stitch length or tension.

Hope that helps and check your PM's ;)

Boy, does this bring back memories. My husband bought me one for our first Christmas - 1964. That machine sewed everything! If I remember right, you have to push the large button while selecting your stitch. I know this isn't much help, but it's been a while. I do remember the tension is touchy. I reupholstered a chair, made dresses and suits, etc. on that machine. It was a real workhorse. It was sold through Gamble stores. (A hardware store at the time. I don't know if there are still Gamble stores out there, however. Hopefully, another reader will know more than I.

yes I agree.

Thank you everybody! I have it sewing perfectly now and also know how to oil it. I really appreciate all of your help. So, I'm going back to sewing on my "Experimental Bargello". Thanks,
Marilyn

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load...134120239.html

I found this site regarding Coronado. Hope it helps.

I was going to say you need to set it on 0, I have a Singer 328K and that is what I have to have it set on to straight stitch, it also has cams to make decorative stitches. The 0 setting is for the swing with 4 being the largest swing, for the largest zig zag stitch.
I'm glad you figured it out, it looks like a good sturdy machine and looks to be in very good condition, glad you are finally using it. Good for you !!!

Thank you very much!

As far as oiling the machine oil everywhere metal touches metal and you will be good. The machine you have will out live you if you take care of it.

Dont you just love the hint of "Americana" in the machine? You can not beat the engineering that the Japanese put into it.

Billy

I often fix up thrift store sewing machines. Don't sew very much on your machine until you clean and oil it!

The top will come off in some way. Usually there are a couple of screw you can undo to lift off the top. Put a drop of oil anyplace you see an oil hole plus anyplace where there are two parts moving against each other when you turn the wheel.

The left side cap should swing away backwards. On some old machines these are held in place by screws like the top. Again, oil every part that moves when you turn the wheel.

You should also dis-assemble the bobbin area, use a stiff brush to get out any dust, oil the bobbin race, and re-assemble.

It's also a good idea to unscrew the metal part that surrounds the feed dogs so you can remove any lint that may have accummulated in there. If you can see any moving parts, you can add a drop of oil there too.

If you find a small red or white piece of felt in the bobbin area (be careful to not mistake it for lint!), leave it in there and add a drop or two of oil to it. This is an oiling wick.

Once the machine is completely oiled, it's a good idea to remove the needle and run it at max speed for 1 to 3 minutes to "burn in" the oil. Don't force it. If the machine does not want to move fast, I will run it lower for a minute or two and then let it rest for a day before trying again. Sometimes the oil needs some time to penetrate.

These old machines are worth fixing up because they are such workhorses!

I bet when you tried to adjust it and couldn't get it to zero, that the needle was not in the fully up position. The rule of thumb for oiling older machines is a tiny bit wherever moving pieces come together.

Thank you everybody for your help, especially you dvseals for telling me how to oil a sewing machine! I appreciate all the help and I have it oiled and running now. I will now go take the needle out and run it for about 3 minutes Prism99. That should take care of everything.

Marilyn

I just got this exact machine. Small world. I had to order a part, but it's up and running now. It's a somewhat complicated machine to figure out without a manual. But, if you need any help PM me.

I just bought a Coronado Automatic zigzag 45-4116. It looks exactly like this picture. Can you explain how to thread around the tension?

Like this...

Help I have the same one, cant get it to go fast enough ,plus need a manual too. Not sure how get it to work

sorry so late finding this thread. Did you figure it out? I have my Mom's Coronado and have no manual, but i discovered you have to hold ones of the knobs to 0, then turn the stitch length it should work. I am looking for a new belt...any suggestions?

Measure the existing belt to order a replacement.

You may want to look at yahoo groups. There is one called Vintage Japanese Sewing Machines. I has a wealth of info.

If you need a manual look for a Brother Selectomatic, it's the same machine. Brother badged the Coronado for Gambles Dept. stores after 1954, before that they were made by National.

Cari