FW Needle hitting bobbin case
 

I just bought my first featherweight, Gussie, named for the previous owner. I ran it for just a moment when i bought it from her son, and it seemed fine then, although i really did only run it for a moment to make sure the motor worked. it had been sitting for a while and i wanted it to be oiled, etc, before i really ran it. It does look pristine, however.

Got it home, oiled and lubed it, then ran it without thread - the needle chewed up the back side of the fabric scrap. I took out the needle and realized it had a burr on the end of the needle. Put in a new needle, making sure i got it in right (I have the manual), took the bobbin out and refilled it with thread to match a spool. When i put the bobbin back in there was a sound and the stitch was bad. took out the bobbin and realized the needle is hitting the bobbin case.

So even wiith no thread in top or bottom, the needle is hitting the case. I can see it hitting from the bobbin area. Is that something one of you can tell me how to fix or is it something i have to take it in for?

unrelated, but just cuz i am excited about having one - it's a Centennial edition, complete with case in pretty good shape, some attachments and feet, and as i said, it's in great shape.

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>First: Verify your needle is a 15x1, or if your using a Singer needle a 2020. Also check the original needle for type. Something caused those burrs and it could have been hitting the bobbin case too.
>Second: Make sure the grove the needle fits in is clean of gunk and debris so you can get the needle all the way up.
>Third: Make sure the bobbin case is all the way in correctly. The finger must point up and be inserted between the two square parts on the underside of the needle plate.
>Forth: If all of these things don't show anything then perhaps the needle bar is set too low or bent. At that point you might need the help of a sewing machine mechanic.

When you do all this turn the hand wheel by hand and watch what's happening. Don't power it up until you're sure you've got this sorted out.

Joe

Make sure the bobbin assembly finger is in the slot like this photo shows. http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...mb=k137LNYO1jm

If not, that may be why your needle is hitting.

I had a machine that was hitting and I got it to stop by adding a shim which is an easy fit, but you may have to take it to a qualified repair person for evaluation. Good Luck!

oh YAY! thank you! i think the needle must not have been in all the way. I couldn't find a number on it, but i replaced it with a new 15-1 schmetz that i had in its labeled container. the ones i'd had in were unmarked but with the machine when i bought it. they appear to be the same size. in any case, the new one isn't hitting anything and everything is working as it should.

thanks for the help!

That is great! Usually the most obvious and straight forward is the answer!