reginalovesfabric

these machines also need grease

quiltgal

You need to get yourself a manual so that you can see what the parts look like, what they are called, and how to clean and maintain your machine. Wish that you were a little closer to me near Austin and I could get you to come to my shop and I would examine your machine and teach you what you need to know to take care of it.
I have parts and a manual on my website and would be happy to answer questions through a private message.
I have seen several machines that seemed to be 'locked up' because the handcrank would not turn and there was no power in the motor. Sounds like two things to me, thread around the bobbin area and that the motor needs to have some lubricant in the ports.
Website: www.thequiltgal.com.

Redsquirrel

I would think its the bobbin assembly and some sort of thread wrap problem. I'd take the whole assembly apart very carefully with guides found for free online and check out that whole area for threads or jams.

Pepita

I bought this machine on E-Bay,he seemed to think it worked! There is no thread in the bobbin area. I have cleaned and oiled the machine. When I turn the hand wheel it will rotate to get the needle about 1/4 inch above the throat plate. The belt was in terrible condition and popped out from where it is supposed to sit. I got my replacement parts from Nova and replaced the belt. The darn thing still won't go! I thought it might be a problem that the silver wheel on the hand wheel was locked or unlocked. I've tried it both ways and the best I get is just the 1/2 turn of the wheel.

Do you have to have the bobbin in the machine in order to make it go through to the bobbin hook? Ugh! I have gone to Nova's site, I've taken the workshop from her as well.
Thanks for your advice.

Pepita

Oh, it is a Canadian machine, so I think it was made in Scotland. I sent the cord and foot to Nova to fix and haven't gotten that back yet.

Pepita

Can you disassemble the bobbin case--the thing that holds the bobbin to the machine? I can with my Bernina, and my mechanical machine, but I don't see any of the 'flippers' that lock the piece into the machine.

miriam

You can do what ever you want to - it is getting things put back right that's hard.

Bobquilts

Gerbie --- I'll bet your towel has " Best Western " embroidered on the bottom...

Pepita

I was reading another post on a featherweight. It is called the cleaning of a 1948 featherweight. In it she tells that the bobbin holder has to be in the right position when you put the face plate back on. When I have the face plate off the machine makes a full revolution. When I put the 'finger' in the center position it doesn't work at all. Also her machine bobbin holder is stripped down compared to mine. Mine has a C like piece on it (without the bobbin case) My machine is a 1959 would that make a difference?

miriam

Can you post a picture? The face plate is the plate that goes above the needle. The throat plate is the plate that the needle goes through. The throat plate has a groove in it for the finger of the shuttle part to rest in. If your machine doesn't work when it is in position there may be thread caught in the shuttle. The shuttle is the thing you put the bobbin and bobbin case in. It goes around and catches unaware thread. It is very common for FWs and 301s to get thread in there and it is hard to get the thread out. I prefer other machines for that reason... You have to be very careful when you start and stop those machines - keep the thread take up lever and needle all the way to the top. Keep track of the tail threads so they do not get pulled down into the shuttle when you start.