Shocking Featherweight Question
 

My Featherweight gives me a tingly feeling every time I use her!! Really! I sent her to repair man, replaced rubber feet, and still I get shocked from the touch. DH thinks it is a grounding problem, does anyone here have any ideas? The cord is in good shape, but does not have the grounding point on it. I love the machine, but it scares me!!! Please help!!

I recommend that you do not use the machine until this is resolved.

You Do sound like you have a short of some kind. Most likely a short to ground. (A wire or component that carries power is somehow touching the frame (ground) of the machine.

The "tingle" is 110v gently running through your body...

The "repair man" should have never let it leave his shop like that... Period

I had a 301 that did that. But, it was only once in a while. I went through my machine and checked the wiring and retightened connections and it stopped. I never did find where a short was, but I haven't had a problem since.

Unplug the machine, turn the plug over and plug it back in. That should stop the buzz.
All electrical systems are polorized even if the plug is not. Sometimes, under certain conditions the polorization is wrong and you get a buzz. Reversing the plug in the outlet matches the polorization and stops the buzz.

Joe

I started reading your posting and first thought this machine just really excited you... not literally shocked you. Made me chuckle, but I do hope you get it straightened out. Would really take the joy out of sewing!

This machine relies on the metal chassis being isolated from the AC. Do turn the plug over and see if it helps, but it may do nothing or make it worse. A neutral return with you touching it, can tingle. Does it make a difference if the light is turned on? I think you may need to look to see if the light fixture is shorting to ground somewhere, or else the motor/motor wiring. They are old and something maybe compromised.

Buslady,

A tingling feeling indicates an electrical short. UNPLUG the machine as you need to find this short before using the machine again. Turning the plug around does not eliminate the short. Electricity is still leaking. This can be very dangerous. Your dry intact skin is a good insulator, but if there is a break in your skin, you could be in real danger.

I'm with Steve there is a problem. I wouldn't want to use the machine until the problem is resolved. It sounds like a bad wire somewhere and your repair guy should have taken care of it.

I am working on a machine right now that I was sold with the claim it was just serviced. The wiring is bad but it has nice new rubber feet. *Shaking my head.

I had that, too, and don't have the time to look into the problem. So I've quit using my FW for now. I did switch out the surge protector and flipped the plug as Joe suggested. That stopped the tingling, but I am not confident that the problem is solved. Better safe than sorry.

Good advice already given. Check out novamontgomery.com She addresses this problem in one of her Tips of the Month. Use the index to find that particular problem.