Part of the problem is that I don't have a working White, so I'm not really sure how it should all go together. And I haven't found anything that talks about how to replace just that tensioner on the face plate. There's a tutorial at Treadle On about replacing the faceplate and he talks about how difficult it is to take that faceplate apart. But mostly, I'd have to figure out how to pick up parts that are compatible with the older head. I'm not sure that it's a good first project.

I do have an alternate project, and I might be better off to tackle that first. I'm more familiar with vibrating shuttle machines and this head does not need as much work.

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the bobbin has little to do with thread pick up.... even if it was way to skinny, you would think the bobbin case would hold the thread in the correct position and then the Hook would grab the thread on its way around.... take the bobbin and the case out and make sure the actual hook is coming around ...and that it looks to be " in time" with the needle position and the scarf on the needle is in the correct place...and that your needle thread is coming from the correct side of the needle ...

What type of oil is it soaking in ????

Wow... a lot of you folks are far more ambitious than I. I only work on machines that have a prayer of achieving their former glory. More power to you for your efforts though. Some machines that look pretty bad can end up looking very good. I am getting better at seeing potential through the crud and gunk.

Great thread!

I use Tri Flow oil. It is the best that I have found to get a frozen machine back moving again, and moving machines to maintain them. And to clarify, I oiled the machine and let it sit (soak). I didn't get a vat of oil and drop it in.
~Grant~

How about "thinga-majig"?

Jeanette

Here is what I am up against (and why it's not picking up the bobbin thread). Now, I know my two Whites different. One is much newer. But the problem is that parts that seem to be similar really are not. That happened to me when I tried to put the new faceplate on the old machine. The thread take up arm is shorter and bangs against the faceplace. I might be able to swap those arms.

Here's the two bobbin races:
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The top one is from the old machine. The bottom is from the newer. The bobbin holder and bobbin are from the old machine.

Here's the bobbin and holder in the old race:
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And here's the bobbin and holder in the newer race:
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See how it sticks up? That's why it's not picking up the bobbin thread. It won't seat right. Now the newer head is a Family Rotary from the 20s. I think I'd have better luck getting a new bobbin and holder that would fit that. The old machine does not seem to be a Family Rotary and I'm concerned that parts I buy for it may not fit. I might have to give up on it, save the base and use the newer head to get it working.

I got this poor machine that was in at least one flood. It was seized up and the hook area was an absolute mess. It had stickers all over it and it was starting to get Aluminum Rot (rust for aluminum). The stickers were instructions on how to wind a bobbin, turn the machine on and off, and the big sticker says "Sewing Machine" in Hebrew. I thought it was neat, but they had to go. I did save them however, except for the big one. It fell apart.
It is running and sewing great again now after a lot of work, but another Vintage machine was saved. This was going to be scrapped if I didn't get it and that would have been a shame. Even what seems like a lost cause, can often be fixed and be useful again.
I do have the full restoration on my page, but I know not everyone sees it there, so I wanted to share some of the highlights of my latest victory with you all here.
~Grant~

The front as I got it.
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Front after cleaning.
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Back before.
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Back after cleaning.
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Hook area was rusted solid and it was full of rust everywhere. It was all disassembled, cleaned and polished.
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Inside of the free arm was full of rust too. You can see that water was sitting in there for some time. A lot of it too.
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Inside of the head was not as bad, but it still needed a bit of work. The presserfoot bar was rusted into the foot pressure adjuster. Rusted solid right to the presserfoot bar.
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The bottom of the machine had some very serious rust on parts. You can also see the internal water line where water sat for some time.
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That plate cleaned up nice as did the rest of the machine. It is black chrome so I don't want to rechrome that one. I also have a 201 with much nicer black chrome. Black chrome does not do well in photos for me.

super job!!! one to be proud of for sure!!! How well does it sew?