jljack

OK, I have a big problem. Further to my problem of the needle won't go down the throat on my FW, I cannot get one of the throat plate screws loose. It's like it's glued in place. It's the front one, so of course, hard to get a good sized screwdriver on it. I put some WD40 around the edge of the screw, and I tried for 20 minutes to get it out. Not a budge!!! I am soooo frustrated with it. The rear screw came right out. From the bottom I was able to see some very old thick thread wound around behind the bobbin/hook assembly, and I think I got it all out. But the needle still won't go down.

Any suggestions? I think I'm just gonna bite the bullet and take it to the shop. I'm kinda mad at myself for not verifying that it was operational before I bought it. The handwheel turns fine until you put a needle in...which it did not have in when I bought it. My own fault. But at this point I just want her working.

jljack

Phyllis I just LOVE that cabinet. I have never seen one like it. Can't wait to see how it turns out!!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

miriam

I would get some penetrating oil from below (turn her upside down - be very careful of your paint though. Then I would try heat on that screw. DH has more strength than I do for that. He had to drill one out with some special kind of tool once. I stayed out of his way... I usually use a screw driver tip from out of the kind that stores in the handle and a tiny wrench to get those off - I used to have a long screw driver ground at a slight angle worked pretty good - it was stolen a while back... It is very hard sometimes to get that screw out because of the angle you have to work at. I'd hate to see the repair bill just getting that screw out.... and I'd hate to hear somebody talking to that machine...

When you lift the lid what do you see the shuttle doing? You said you got thread out. Is the notch in it's right place or is it spinning around under there? You did say it turned nice. http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...ght-manual.pdf look at the info on page 12. It has a great photo of how it is suppose to look. I realize it is a FW but they look about the same. If it is not set like that it could be your problem. But you still have to get the plate off and reset the notch if that is what is wrong.

Phyllis nm

Try some penetrating oil let it set. Be sure your screwdriver fits tight tap it with a hammer to jar it then turn it. You can also take a wrench and put it on a square screwdriver handle for more leverage while pushing down on the screwdriver. Or use a ratchet with the correct fitting bit.
Thread in or behind the hook is why the needle bar is frozen. Try moving the hand wheel backwards to see and work the thread loose to be seen and pulled out. Look under the bed to see the thread after you take the oil pan cover off. Try a scripto blade behind the hook to cut the thread also.

luce321

Abby, I assume that beautiful little girl is your granddaughter. Looks as though she is going to follow in your footsteps. I know you must be so proud.

Abby, I read further and saw that she is your niece, well she is still beautiful.

Cheri_J

Sob Sob Sob... I have seven vintage singers - dated between 1921 - 1924. Three are portables - in the coffin wooden cases and three are in the treadle cabinets. One is "loose" no case or cabinet. The reason I'm sad is because my husband refuses to let me bring anymore home. He thinks seven machines is enough. He said we don't have enough house to have any more. He is right, we really don't have the room, but I would love to have more. Everyone's machines are great here.

miriam

mine is making some noise too...

jljack

OK, yes, I'll try again tonite since the WD40 will have been on for 24 hours. The finger is in the notch correctly. I just can't see what's happening, because I can't get the throat plate off!! LOL Catch-22 here!! I even have the bobbin holder out, and I still can't see what's going on. I was prepared to take everything apart last night, and then I had that stupid screw stuck in there!! I took the oil cover off the bottom and looked up there with a flashlight, and that's how I saw the thread wrapped around. I used my handy little seam ripper and got out what I could see.

Phyllis, when I turn the handwheel the needle bar does move up and down, but the needle won't go down the throat. It's hitting on something that I can't see. That's where the problem is. When I asked if it could be out of time, everyone thought that was doubtful. So..... OK, Round 2 tonite!!!\

Phyllis nm

Is your belt to large for the belt grove? or to loose?

chris_quilts

My kids are making the noise too but none yet from DH. I am rehoming a couple of them this coming week. That'll take me below 20 machines.