this thing weighs a ton, I cant wait to get it a tuneup and start using it. The owners manual is missing so if anyone has any idea on how to keep the needle from moving when loading a bobbin I would appreciate letting me know

Twist the big knob on the right.

It has a 1/4 twist that locks/ unlocks the needle from going up and down. You will get a bit of play (some movement) but not like what you are experiencing.

It's just like most of the older Singers.

thank you, now I remember, its been 30 years since I've seen her use it. Most of the other things I got figured out, I think. there is one strange knob on the base of it, do you now what that does?

Where on the base? Left side, Right Side? Underneath the machine?

right side, its a chromb switch

That is for the feed dogs on bottom. up or down.. It is set for feet dogs up..

thank you, Mom says its got something wrong with it, the thread keeps tangling up. I havent tried it, not sure if I should or wait til after I have it serviced.

I took my other machine, a newer hand me down from mom, to be cleaned after 39 quilts done on the poor thing. I asked the owner of the repair place about 100.00 machines on sale at Joanns, he told me get moms old machine or aunty's or grandmas and let me fix that one for 80.00 and it will run great. You buy one of these 100.00 machines you'll spend more time fixing it than sewing with it.

What a great machine! I would try sewing with it, if nothing else to show/tell the repair guy what is wrong :D:D:D

You know I had one just like that which I purchased at Sears when I was working there in 1969 (WOW). Wish I still had it, dumb move to give it away, it would sew ANYTHING! I had problems with tangling thread too, the shuttle cock bobbin area had nicks on it from needles hitting it, so bought new one and then it worked like a charm. Check it out first may save yourself a bit of money by purchasing a new one. DON"T EVER GET RID OF IT!!!