Candace

This is a how to and photos of how to redress the pulleys on vintage Elnas. I'm by no means an expert and this is the only machine I've done. I told to give this a try by Erik on the vintageElna site on yahoo. He told me 3/4 of the Elnas he works on can have the pulleys redressed rather than replacing.

Vintage Elnas that you will buy from thrift stores, sales etc. typically will ALL have this problem. Any machine that has set unused for a month or so(or less!) will develop a flat spot. The pulley is compressed by the handwheel and will develop flat spots if not used frequently. This causes the machine to sound like a jackhammer and very loud. If not fixed it will cause damage to the machine over time, simply due to the vibration it causes. A new pulley can be upwards of $20-25 to replace and rental of tools etc. adds up. And you have to wait for shipping of the part.

First, here's my machine.

Candace

Here's a photo of the handwheel removed. Notice the pulley with the flat spot.

Candace

I donned goggles and am using a file at a slight angle on the pulley. I gently start the motor to high speed to file off layers of the pulley. Too much and it will have to be replaced completely.

Candace

See the flat spot getting smaller?

Candace

And smaller?

Candace

Poof! Flat spot gone.

Candace

Now, I have to take off the bottom plate. Yuck, look at the shavings and goop.

Candace

I'm frugal and instead of buying canned air, I used my foot pump with a small nozzle to shoot air out and blow out extra shavings still caught up inside the machine.

Candace

Here's a movie I loaded to show how it sounds now. http://www.elkgroveorchids.net/P1040866.MOV I should have taken a before movie with the load, jackhammer sound...but didn't. Let's just say the current machine is much, much quieter and smoother.

This procedure took me about an hour and didn't cost me a cent. Now, to prevent further flat spots, the machine should be used often, or if not used the handwheel should be turned very often by hand. Best case, if the machine is not going to be used for several days or a week to unscrew the handwheel and store it in the case with handwheel removed. I hope this helps others and I have to thank Erik for all his help with this.

irishrose

I have a friend who has the twin to my Elna who has had problems. I will have to ask our repairman if he checked the pulley, but I would think so. Thank you for the pictures - I will keep them in case I ever need them though my Elna has never been out of service. Miss Elna just made a complicated graduation dress and did her usual perfect work.

The green one is so cute!