Featherweight is noisy in the bobbin area
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Calif. Desert
Posts: 239
Featherweight is noisy in the bobbin area
Hi,
I think I saw somewhere how to quiet a noisy clickity clacking in the bobbin area. It is a 1934 221 in great shape. Smooth running and sews a nice seam. But it is very noisy, like the bobbin holders has too much play in it as it goes around. Is there a way to adjust the springs so there is less play?
Any hints or how to's would be welcome.
Thanks for your help.
Ethel
I think I saw somewhere how to quiet a noisy clickity clacking in the bobbin area. It is a 1934 221 in great shape. Smooth running and sews a nice seam. But it is very noisy, like the bobbin holders has too much play in it as it goes around. Is there a way to adjust the springs so there is less play?
Any hints or how to's would be welcome.
Thanks for your help.
Ethel
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Spring Hill, Tennesee
Posts: 497
Noise
My 1947, 221 has the same problem. It has been quieted slightly and it has been to 2 very good SMM. I put tiny rubber "O" rings under the face plate screws, put a Teflon washer under the bobbin and oiled everything I could think of. I even got a service manual.
If there is no end play in the shafts, and there wasn't with mine, then there is one place to oil underneath that is not shown in the owner's manual. The last SMM said it was dry and he oiled it again. I can't see how that could have been so, after lubricating it the day before. He charged $75. It is better, but still not a quiet running machine. I don't know what else to do for the poor baby. They do love oil though. Oh, the place he said wasn't in the manual is called the "cross over" whatever that is. It is on the bottom, near the bobbin though. I just oil everything and then wipe off excess to save the felts. If you need new felts, order them from Sew-Classic.com. That keeps the odor down a little. A bar of deodorant soap, in the box, with the end cut off helps with the Featherweight "Funk" smell. In the end, I am still looking for a complete fix too.
If there is no end play in the shafts, and there wasn't with mine, then there is one place to oil underneath that is not shown in the owner's manual. The last SMM said it was dry and he oiled it again. I can't see how that could have been so, after lubricating it the day before. He charged $75. It is better, but still not a quiet running machine. I don't know what else to do for the poor baby. They do love oil though. Oh, the place he said wasn't in the manual is called the "cross over" whatever that is. It is on the bottom, near the bobbin though. I just oil everything and then wipe off excess to save the felts. If you need new felts, order them from Sew-Classic.com. That keeps the odor down a little. A bar of deodorant soap, in the box, with the end cut off helps with the Featherweight "Funk" smell. In the end, I am still looking for a complete fix too.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Spring Hill, Tennesee
Posts: 497
The 301 has the same bobbin and doesn't make noise like this. It seems Singer may have worked out a few bugs in the redesign process. Of course the 301 is a slant needle machine, but has the same bobbin case. I prefer the 301 to the FW.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Calif. Desert
Posts: 239
Thanks for your reply.
My son has a 221 and it doesn't make the noise, I can't remember the year of it. I will try oiling it well again, but it feels like just too much play/slop in the bobbin holder area.
Glad to hear someone else has the same problem.
I have a 301 that I have not used much. Time to get it out and give it a go.
I have use a Kenmore for years, left homing and I find it a challenge to piece with, so I thought I would try the FW and it does a nice job, just noisy.
Ethel
My son has a 221 and it doesn't make the noise, I can't remember the year of it. I will try oiling it well again, but it feels like just too much play/slop in the bobbin holder area.
Glad to hear someone else has the same problem.
I have a 301 that I have not used much. Time to get it out and give it a go.
I have use a Kenmore for years, left homing and I find it a challenge to piece with, so I thought I would try the FW and it does a nice job, just noisy.
Ethel
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: rural SW Washington
Posts: 768
Long lived thread but important. My FW noisy as well so have been using my 301 and am loving it. Still light weight and uses all my bobbins I have with so much more speed and power. Been getting rid of "extra" machines. This 301 will not be going out the door. Down to essentials. I think some parts just get worn down and trying a replacement bobbin holder my be an idea to try especially if you can work on your own machine. Good Luck to us all.
#6
This is an easy fix. We talked about it here:http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...d-t216896.html - the pdf should have all of what you need to fix it without changing gaps and such with spacers. The OSMG should have known this.
#9
My 1947, 221 has the same problem. It has been quieted slightly and it has been to 2 very good SMM. I put tiny rubber "O" rings under the face plate screws, put a Teflon washer under the bobbin and oiled everything I could think of. I even got a service manual.
If there is no end play in the shafts, and there wasn't with mine, then there is one place to oil underneath that is not shown in the owner's manual. The last SMM said it was dry and he oiled it again. I can't see how that could have been so, after lubricating it the day before. He charged $75. It is better, but still not a quiet running machine. I don't know what else to do for the poor baby. They do love oil though. Oh, the place he said wasn't in the manual is called the "cross over" whatever that is. It is on the bottom, near the bobbin though. I just oil everything and then wipe off excess to save the felts. If you need new felts, order them from Sew-Classic.com. That keeps the odor down a little. A bar of deodorant soap, in the box, with the end cut off helps with the Featherweight "Funk" smell. In the end, I am still looking for a complete fix too.
If there is no end play in the shafts, and there wasn't with mine, then there is one place to oil underneath that is not shown in the owner's manual. The last SMM said it was dry and he oiled it again. I can't see how that could have been so, after lubricating it the day before. He charged $75. It is better, but still not a quiet running machine. I don't know what else to do for the poor baby. They do love oil though. Oh, the place he said wasn't in the manual is called the "cross over" whatever that is. It is on the bottom, near the bobbin though. I just oil everything and then wipe off excess to save the felts. If you need new felts, order them from Sew-Classic.com. That keeps the odor down a little. A bar of deodorant soap, in the box, with the end cut off helps with the Featherweight "Funk" smell. In the end, I am still looking for a complete fix too.
#10
Hi,
I think I saw somewhere how to quiet a noisy clickity clacking in the bobbin area. It is a 1934 221 in great shape. Smooth running and sews a nice seam. But it is very noisy, like the bobbin holders has too much play in it as it goes around. Is there a way to adjust the springs so there is less play?
Any hints or how to's would be welcome.
Thanks for your help.
Ethel
I think I saw somewhere how to quiet a noisy clickity clacking in the bobbin area. It is a 1934 221 in great shape. Smooth running and sews a nice seam. But it is very noisy, like the bobbin holders has too much play in it as it goes around. Is there a way to adjust the springs so there is less play?
Any hints or how to's would be welcome.
Thanks for your help.
Ethel
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