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Need help with info for Bell sewing machine

Need help with info for Bell sewing machine

Old 01-02-2015, 05:29 PM
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Default Need help with info for Bell sewing machine

I inherited this sewing machine from my late mother and I am looking for information about it. I have had it in storage for the last five years and would like to use it. I threaded it the way I thought it should go but I am continually breaking the top thread. I am looking for info about the model, belt, and needle info. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
Attached Thumbnails 20150102_163040.jpg   20150102_173550.jpg   20150102_173629.jpg  
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Old 01-02-2015, 06:06 PM
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Your pictures came out a little strange. The motor picture is the biggest with two smaller ones of the machine. It's a neat looking machine though, and so far the only one of it's brand I've seen. I'm guessing here but it looks like it should be pretty typical to thread. I would expect it to thread left to right at the needle with the long groove of the needle on the left. Your needle could be in backwards too, it's a common thing-especially with unfamiliar machines.

Others who know more than me will be around shortly.
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Old 01-02-2015, 10:16 PM
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What Rodney said ... and typically the last thread guide is on the side where the thread needs to go. IOW - if the thread guide is to the right of the needle, tread it right to left.....

Make sure the thread isn't caught somewhere, at the spool pin e.g., or at other thread guides -- happens to me once a while....

Top tension too tight?

ps. was curious about this machine, so blew up your photo....

[ATTACH=CONFIG]504520[/ATTACH]
Attached Thumbnails 20150102_173629.jpg  

Last edited by sews; 01-02-2015 at 10:19 PM.
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Old 01-03-2015, 12:45 AM
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The needle clamp looks like it's on backwards. The screw should be on the right side of the needle bar. While you're turning that around, you should be able to see the flat of the slot where the needle goes to know how the needle should be inserted. I bet that takes care of your thread problems.

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Old 01-03-2015, 05:47 AM
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[TD="width: 100%, align: center"][h=1]NeedleBar Picture Library Archive[/h][h=3]THE INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUE SEWING MACHINE FORUM[/h]
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[TD][h=1]Micro Bell[/h][/TD]
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[TD][h=2]#? courtesy of Zorba. Stamped December 16, 1952. See also Messerschmidt.

History and Discussion Topic. Irving J Moritt from Brooklyn, NJ was behind the company manufacturing the machines and Sidney R Bell from Stamford, Conn. was the inventor. The style of body was designed by Bell in 1948. The final machine and carrying case was patented in May 4, 1954. Four fifths owned by Iriving Moritt and one fifth by Harry Rebell. However, it wasn't until 1956 that the final improvements were patented, involving the take-up and tension in particular.[/h][/TD]
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[TD="class: tableh2, colspan: 2"]File information[/TD]
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[TD="class: tableb tableb_alternate"]Filename:[/TD]
[TD="class: tableb tableb_alternate"]bellmb3.jpg[/TD]
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[TD="class: tableb tableb_alternate"]Album name:[/TD]
[TD="class: tableb tableb_alternate"]Claire / Bell[/TD]
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[TD="class: tableb tableb_alternate"]35 KiB[/TD]
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Old 01-03-2015, 05:50 AM
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this is what the internet search came up with about Bell. on the site is a very good pic of the needle clamp as Cari said is on backwards in the original post.
Its always interesting to learn a new sewing machine name and its Hx.
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Old 01-03-2015, 08:07 AM
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Great catch Cari! I did not see that and I looked several times at the pics.
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Old 01-03-2015, 09:10 AM
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http://needlebar.org/cm/displayimage..._display_media
^^^
Fascinating! I love compact designs and the mini Bell is precious. Fits in a regular suitcase and has an integrated sewing table. Who was first - Bell or Elna?

The link shows a size comparison with the Singer 185j - the Bell is tiny. I know it's not the same machine as the OP's, but still - very cool.

http://needlebar.org/cm/displayimage..._display_media
^^^^
More info: will be imported from Japan as "Liberty" and no longer made by Kaiser-Gritzner, Germany.

Last edited by sews; 01-03-2015 at 09:21 AM.
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Old 01-03-2015, 01:22 PM
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The Baby Bells are very cute but they sew about as well as a Portman.

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Old 01-04-2015, 12:15 PM
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Thanks for the dose of reality, Cari. I think it helped :-)
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