WANNABEE

My 185k won't sew unless I turn the handwheel. How do I fix this?

Mickey2

points to check

Is the hand wheel turning lightly, everything moves with out resistance? Cleaning and oiling makes all the difference. Slide the bobbin cover off, lift up a lever and towards you, with a bit of wiggle on the hand wheel the bobbin case comes out. Unscrew the throat plate and face plate. Clean carefully, inspect for threads, and lint.

Detect all oil points, there are lots of them; every where were metal moves against metal needs oil; joints, levers, hinges, cam and roller parts controlling the feed dogs under the bed; ends of rods. The same for the parts behind the face plate, needle bar and presser bar included. Oil, run the machine, oil, run the machine, repeat...

Check the motor belt and motor pulley, does it turn freely with out belt, is the belt in good condition.

Check the pedal for capacitor, they tend to go bad with age and almost always needs to be removed. Capacitors can be replaced if you like to.

Check the machine for voltage, if the motor or pedal says 110V you are fine, if it says 220V it will likely run half speed if at all. It's worth checking since you have a UK made machine.

WANNABEE

I am extremely embarrassed , seems I neglected to move the bobbin winder up, after winding said bobbin. Hiding my head in shame.
thank you so much. If you hadn't responded and I went over to the machine again I would not have noticed.

WANNABEE

Take back my apology, It is still not right and needs assistance .
Checking your list now.

Cari-in-Oly

Making sure the take up lever is just over the top of its travel when you end sewing or before starting the machine then the machine should start without help.

Cari

WANNABEE

Okay, i think i have it now. Original bobbin was in the machine and someone had rewound on it before it was empty and a thread was stuck.

WANNABEE

Thanks Cari.

Mickey2

It looks like you are onto it. Go over the machine until it runs smootly, even with the bobbin winder down. Don't hesistate to oil and test sew a bit a few days in a row. I think this model has the later lubrication free motor, it has some type of brass or bronze bearings in stead; there might be variants on this. There is a roller under the feed dogs, it moves in a cam like part. This round bit should be turning like a wheel, it often needs extra attention.

WANNABEE

Thank you so much.

topper1

done similar things myself, i have 185k also, green....love it paid 14.99 at thrift wouldnt work, got it home it had 20 yrs lint in it no wonder and original needle. so sad , the person literally ran it til it quit...my reward though