zozee

I'm about to purchase a 15-91 in the cabinet with lots of attachments. I posted yesterday a wordy (sorry) description of my test run, but let me cut to the chase.

I am going back in a couple hours to get the machine, PROVIDED I can get answers to my main question ahead of time from you here on the board and my local repairman.

Bear in mind, this was the very first time I'd ever used a 15-91 and the seller is not a sewist. The thing purred along beautifully for maybe 5-10 seconds and then suddenly stopped. It then sounded like the motor was still whirring but the needle wasn't moving.

I checked the flywheel; the clutch had come loose. I tightened it and that got the needle moving again. But when I sewed again for 5-10 seconds, the same thing happened.

The machine was from an estate sale so could have been sitting a long time. Wires need redoing.

Does this sound like a common problem, and if so, what is the fix? (I read this same issue from a woman who posted in 2012, but she took everything apart and do this/that/the other, got it working again, but has no clue what the problem was, so that didn't help me. I am not yet mechanical.)

zozee

I meant she didn't know what the fix was; her problem sounded identical.

J Miller

More than likely the stop motion knob washer is in backwards or 180° from where it should be. When this happens the stop motion knob can't be tightened enough to keep from vibrating loose.

The two tabs in the center should face the stop motion knob or face out. Then the washer can be rotated a half turn to give the stop motion knob more rotation to tighten up.

Joe

Macybaby

My DH says the same as Joe - He's put enough on them on wrong and had to take them off and turn them - very simple fix.

zozee

Thanks. Glad to know it's a simple fix. Just wish I knew what the heck a stop motion knob washer was. I am a complete greenhorn at this. I would take it apart except I need to get that wiring repaired before I dare test anything further. She is sitting in the back of my van till I can take her to my OSMG Tuesday.

brunswickgirl

This website if very helpful. http://oldsingersewingmachineblog.co...r-stop-motion/

J Miller

zozee,

It's the washer that falls off when you remove the stop motion knob. It's sandwiched between the hand wheel and stop motion knob.

Joe

zozee

Thanks, Linda. Very helpful tute with (mostly) easy to understand explanations.

zozee

Joe, I'm actually eager to get my hands on this machine inside to learn things. Midlife may be the start to my mechanical life, who knows?

miriam

Rain has good info on his blog - beware it can take all day to read... http://vssmb.blogspot.com/