I sewed some leather on my sewing machines, my treadle and my 60s all metal. Now they are producing a clunking noise, and do not sew as smoothly. It was a purse that I was repairing.
Please help me! Will I need to take them in, or is it something I can fix myself?

have you checked the needle to make sure it isn't bent? If it is hitting the metal on the cover plate it will clunk.

Barb

I just changed the needle, and it still clunks, and at first until i turned the wheel, it wouldn't go.

Is it stitching at all? Sometimes my thread comes out of the loop and won't sew..........then it sounds like a clunking noise. Have you tried rethreadng the machine? And have you tried oiling it again? Clean out the hook (bobbin area) and oil there also. Just a drop on the casing without the bobbin in it might smooth out the noise some

That is exactly what I would suggest...and maybe again, another needle. I wouldn't think you have done anything serious to the machine...for this has been done for too many years on them:)Usually it is a bent needle...or at least that is what I have found. Skeat

After you clean the machines and oil them thoroughly, try running them without any needle at all and see if they still clunk. If they do, it's not the needle.

When is the last time you had it serviced? My machine, 1970s Montgomery Ward, was making loops and odd noises. I took it in to be serviced and turns out the timing was off. The guy adjusted the timing and it hasn't given me any trouble since.

Thank you for all of your ideas. I had never thought about seeing if the clunking went away, if i took out the thread. I also never thought about it, but it is true that they've dealt with one inexperinced user after another through the years :oops: :wink:

i also think it's the timing. leather really tests a home sewing machine and they have trouble pushing their way through the leather. did you use the special leather needle?

i also agree that if it clunks without using a needle, have it serviced before using it. you can do real damage. now, how do i know this?

now, how do i know this]] butterflywing....I had to chuckle over this!!:0)LOL I do hope the end of this story turned out great and really would like to know since this is something I could do too:)I just recently switched out presser feet and forgot to change the stitching pattern-duh!! All seems fine so far but do not recomm. thta to anyone...it will scare the daylights out of you! I now make sure to turn off the machine on any foot changes. That was my decision after picking myself up from the floor for cover!:)Skeat