Fetherweight bobbin winding issue
I have a black featherweight from 1948. Recently, the bobbin winder seams to have trouble getting going when I start it and when I stop it and start again. It looks like the winder that touches the machine is black plastic. The belt is a fairly new one---bought a year ago but have not been using the machine a lot this last year.
I looked on the featherweight websites and they show mostly metal parts. The plastic wheel is smooth. Not sure what is happening. Yes, I checked how the thread is put through each part to wind bobbin. Any ideas? |
Check your belt, it may be loose. I got my FW out to take to a class and started to wind a bobbin and it would start and stop. I tightened my belt and was back in business!!!! PM me if you need info on how to DIY.
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Is the plastic wheel you describe more a metal wheel with a black rubber tire? That's what I would expect on a Featherweight. It pushes down on the hand wheel, and a few things can make it act up: oil on the rubber or hand wheel, which means wipe it off with a cloth. The rubber tire needs to be replaced sooner or later, but they can easily last a decade or two. There is an oil point in connection with the winder, a tiny hole you might have to poke clean with a tooth pick if it's clogged. The winder should turn very smoothly; if not it'a all about cleaning and oiling. The click action can need attention too, cleaning, oiling and sometimes adjusting (usually only when the tire has been replaced, they are usually not exactly the same width as the old ones). To begin with I would expect it's mostly about cleaning and oiling, but inspect all parts involved.
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Mickey FWs don't use a bobbin tire.
Cari |
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I have to hold my bobbin winder down to get it to work properly. Otherwise it doesn't have enough contact pressure to turn. I suppose there must be a way to fix this, but I haven't figured it out... holding it down is the easy solution.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562718[/ATTACH] |
I had the same problem with my machine. I discovered that the machine oil had caused the little rollert to become "mushy". A new wheel fixed the problem. Be sure to get a new wheel and be sure to push it down far enough to make contact with the wheel. You shouldn't have to hold it down if you get a new wheel.
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Originally Posted by carolynjo
(Post 7705998)
I had the same problem with my machine. I discovered that the machine oil had caused the little rollert to become "mushy". A new wheel fixed the problem. Be sure to get a new wheel and be sure to push it down far enough to make contact with the wheel. You shouldn't have to hold it down if you get a new wheel.
Cari |
Ok, DH oiled spot for bobbin winder. He also tightened the belt
the wheel has always spun freely, even before. Should there be tension on the arm itself--it will not stay up when sewing regularly--tried to tighten screw on left side of winder, but dh cannot budge it at all--should we be able to? Help is greatly appreciated |
The belt on a FW should be as loose as it can be without slipping. Any tighter and it puts strain on the motor.
Cari |
He did not tighten the belt a lot, just enough as it was slipping
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Install
Originally Posted by fktsewing
(Post 7706990)
He did not tighten the belt a lot, just enough as it was slipping
There is a screw with two washers that holds the bobbin winder in place if you are missing either one of them you will not be able to tighten the screw enough on the bobbin winder to give you enough tension on the bobbin winder for it to turn. One of the washers goes on the screw first then the screw is inserted inside the hole in the bobbin winder the flat washer goes over the threads of the screw insert the screw into the threads on the machine and tighten it tight you should have sufficent tension now to operate the winder when it is engaged to the belt. |
Mine didn't work when I first got it, as the bobbin wheel wasn't fully contacting the belt. I ended up removing the handwheel and moving the whole bobbin winder assembly just slightly to fix the problem. I also cleaned and oiled everything thoroughly. You might have to get some Liquid Wrench or similar to get that frozen screw moving. Or just oil the area and let it sit a week or two, then the screw may turn.
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