tate_elliott

You know how when you work on even just one sewing machine, people start asking you to look at their machine? Well, I was given a machine to look at. A Singer Tiny Tailor.

Okay, I'm looking at it as a challenge - can I make this piece of junk sew? The problem is that the bobbin hook isn't picking up the top thread. I opened it up and the timing and clearance seem okay. But who can tell?

I googled and saw plenty of people with this problem, but no solutions. Anyone here have any ideas? Other than throwing this thing just as far away as possible?

Tate

pocoellie

I would tell them, sorry, they need to get a REAL machine. LOL Other than your suggestion about throwing it away. LOL

vmaniqui

did you check if the thread is going the right way to the needle. right to left or left to right ?

tate_elliott

I threaded it as per the instructions. After many, many tries, I got the top thread to go around the bobbin once, and was able to pull up the bobbin thread.

jlhmnj

The joys of working on junk.

Jon

amcatanzaro

Well, in a vintage machine I would say take the needle out and swap which direction the flat side is on. That's usually the problem with not picking up the bobbin thread.
On a modern one.. eh? Most of them that isn't even an option, the needle only fits one way.

grandmahoney

Are your sure you have the right needle for the machine?

tate_elliott

Yes, I checked the type and orientation of the needle. I put in a new needle also. Nothing helped.

BTW, when you pick this machine up, it feels fairly solid/hefty. I find out why when I opened it up - there's a 1 x 2 x 4 inch bar of IRON sitting in the middle of the base. The bar probably weighs as much as the rest of the machine does.

I think I'm done wasting my time on this.

Tate

GreyQ

Nobody's going to make fun of you here and if you want to ask dumb questions, you have to get in line behind me.

wraez

tell the person who brought it to you to take it to a sewing machine center that services machines, LOL for heaven's sake don't stress it