Got one for cheep this time: MW Signature w/cams
 

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem...temID=10204397

This was a spur of the moment thing. We really didn't plan on bidding on it, but it's so ... so ... utilitarian looking. And it has cams! Whooo Hooooo

We'll go pick it up today or tomorrow. :D

Joe

I looked at that one but exercised some self control ...nice score!

Here's the GW pic for those who don't wanna go to the link:

Joe

Looks like she is in excellent condition. You certainly got a good buy.

Joe, you are a hoot!!! She looks brand new!

Pictures lie, details in a little while.

Elaine

If it sews as well as the one I got at Salvation Army that is only slightly newer, you'll be pleased. I paid more than you did and had some work to do. $13 for machine, $3 for a belt and $13 for a bobbin case, but nearly $0 for transportation. I also got a MW buttonholer, but it's going in the round file as it seems to be missing a small part.

Well, the picture didn't show the years of grime. Or the missing light bracket screws under the face plate. Or the worn out belt. Or the super dry insides. Or the missing thread guide with it's little screw that is also the needle stop.

I've spent the entire afternoon since we got home cleaning and oiling the insides of this machine. But she is responding.
I had the screws to the light bracket. After replacing those the bulb burned out. I had one of those. The dry insides got a thorough soaking of Tri-Flow oil. Boy howdy did that make a world of difference. I had a much better used belt and put that on. Oiled the motor.
Washed the outside really good. Much better.

After all that I put a needle in it and it sews soooooooo quiet. ZZ's good too. Then there is a problem with the stitch width lever dragging on the chrome trim in the side of the machine. It looks like something inside is pressing down on it, so I'm cogitating on how to correct that. Once that's done I figure it will sew beautifully.

The thread guide and screw will have to come from the LSMG perhaps tomorrow.

This is going to be a good machine. There is only 10 cams for it, but there are some patterns we don't have on the others so it has a place in our collection.

Joe

Is yours a U?? - J? If it is it is a Juki machine like mine. Like Sears, MW badges a lot of machines made by other manufacturers. You had to do more than I did. My biggest problem was figuring out how to get it apart to replace the belt.

That's why I won't buy a machine from shopgoodwill. If you're lucky enough to get a machine with all it's parts, that works as it should, etc....that's exactly what it is....LUCK! You're bidding on machines that are listed by people who know absolutely nothing about sewing machines....or packing them if it's going to be shipped.

I have bought on ebay. There are a few excellent ebay sellers who really know sewing machines...one who comes to mind is niftythriftygirl. She has a video of every machine that's listed, describes all flaws (& shows them on the video), & packs them so well they could be dropped from a roof! And there are a few others that are very trustworthy also...check feedbacks. You're protected as a buyer by ebay & Paypal....& the seller's fear of getting their feedback trashed!

I personally wouldn't buy anything on shopgw that takes some knowledge of the product to sell it properly.

Mine is a: MW SIGNATURE Model #: UHT J275A This is a HAPPY machine. Cast into the under side of the bed is "HAPPY". There are 2 J- #'s: One on a decal under the bed; J-A 10, cast into the underside of the bed; J- C12

Our other MW machine the 7 Jewel is also a HAPPY machine.

The chart I found over on the Yahoo Japanese site that lists these as made by HAPPY. So I'm sure that's why it's going to be a really great machine.

Joe

Pat,

Most of the machines we got from GW have been good. Perhaps they needed cleaning and oiling but that's just normal. Most of the time I've been able to look at the pics and tell pretty much what is wrong with the machines and what they will need. I've only been snookered a couple times. I usually go for the under dog machines. Those that are in need of something. Those that are "perfect" bore me. Remember the Minnesota and Wilcox & Gibbs. Those are a challenge. So, I'm not worried if they need some fixing.

As for the packaging we've had a couple arrive damaged. But most arrive in great shape.

I don't do business with eBay, so I'll take your word for their shipping.

Joe

I don't say they're "snookering" anyone on purpose...they just don't KNOW if something's missing or not working right. I enjoy working on 'em too...BUT I want to know in advance if I'll have to look for a part that could very easily be hard to find! And, I'm absolutely anal about things being packed properly. Most of the workers in the brick & mortar Goodwills can't put books on the shelves without messing up the bindings...can you tell you're talking to a long-time bookseller?

I don't have a problem fixing anything...been fixing, adjusting, cleaning machines, replacing parts, & refinishing cabinets for close to 30 years. I really enjoy it! Just saying I want to know exactly what I'm paying for BEFORE I hand over the money. I don't want any unexpected surprises when it arrives....

If im getting a decent looking machine for 5 bucks im not concerned with how much work it might need. For that price im not crushed if it ends up a bookend. I won one from gw yesterday but due to the fires in Colorado springs cant get anyone to the store to pick it up because their road is closed. Gotta call them tomorrow to see what they suggest.

Congrats Joe. I looked, only looked LOL, at that one. Since I am almost out of room, I passed.

Caroline,

This is a nice machine, you should have gone for it ..... ha ha. The GW pic makes it look cream color, but in reality it's a light teal blue.

She's all together now, except the needle bar thread guide and screw, and sews very nicely.

The strange thing is on the handle is an old Bekins tag and on the side of the case side near the top is a yellow tag marked: Lot No. AA16563 234 New World Van Lines. So this old machine has traveled some.
In side we found almost three full packs of new needles,
a business card from Siesta Pools, ( wee tried the web site on the card but it came up some kind of blog),
a quarter,
a bunch of straight pins,
and lots of lint.

I'm beginning to really like these Japanese ZZ machines. Most of them we've acquired are very good machines, and sew beautifully and quiet.
Only one has given me trouble, and I just haven't gotten to it to work on it yet.

Joe

OK, I think I'll name this one Patrica. She's really persnickety when it comes to thread, tension and fabric. And the phase of the moon too I think. But when she's in the mood she sews really nice. I don't think it's the fault of the machine though. Many things make the believe the problems lie with the previous carbon based units that owned her.

After cleaning her up I took some pics.

Ain't she purty?
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_3927.jpg

With her top open.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_3928.jpg

With all her cams and goodies.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_3929.jpg
About the only things missing from the accessories box is a straight stitch foot, the screwdrivers, oil bottle and brush.

Quilt squares done with her:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_3933.jpg
It took a lot of lubing, and quite a bit of cogitating on my part to figure out one of the biggest problems.
The linkage that works with the cam drive and ZZ linkage was binding. If you know how these types of machines work, the ZZ lever, the shiny horizontal one on top, is also connected to the follower on the cam. So as the follower tracks around the cam the lever moves back and forth in it's slot.
If you are doing simple ZZ stitches you set the lever at the width you want and lock it down with the tab on the right, and the nob on the left.

As I was sewing the machine was loosening up but I was having horrible tension problems. We finally came to the conclusion this machine requires major tension readjustments if you use the C&C Dual Duty XP Heavy thread. Most don't but they are all different I guess.
Buy the time we had that figured out I was out of 3.5" squares so I decided to fancy up some of the 6.5" squares.

I messed up quite a few because the machine just wasn't cooperating. Mostly because of the binding problem.
The ZZ lever was dragging on the bottom of it's slot. I had the top off and was checking out the screws to remove it or adjust it because it was really interfering with the formation of the patterns.
Finally since all the screws to remove the lever were underneath other things I had an idea. I use a set of channel lock pliers and bent the lever up. It took a couple bendings but I got the drag removed.
By the time I had the quilt squares done she was working good.

So then I did a stitch pattern felt for the record.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_3934.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_3935.jpg

So, do you think this machine is worth the price I paid and maybe $10.00 worth of parts I put in it?

Joe

:thumbup:YES! Well worth the price and the education you received. Pretty stitches.

My wife and I have thought on this machine quite a bit as we work on it. We believe it sat in a storage locker, or someones basement/garage for many years. Before that perhaps it was dropped and the ZZ lever bent, or someone didn't work on it right.
At any rate it was dry dry dry inside. And it took nearly 6 hours of sewing and working with it for the Tri-Flow to get into the needed places. I'm going to see if my wife has something to make with it before we put it in rotation with the others.

Joe

Just picked up one of these. Serviced she sure is quiet. The numbers around the stitch length are gone. Looks like a glued on dial. Any ideas where to get one?

Bezzer,

I have no idea really.

Sorry I couldn't help.

Joe

Joe,

I have one of these Wards UHT 275A that was my mother's. It looks identical to your pics posted in June 2012. I have spent hours on the internet looking for an instruction manual. You wouldn't by chance have one you could copy or scan that could be emailed would you?

Thanks,

Donna

Went to the link but photo no longer available. Glad Joe was able to post it. Looks like a good deal.

Donna,

I'll see if there's a manual with it. I don't think so, but with the number of machines we've got being confused is easy.

What are you having troubles with? It's a very simple machine, I'll try and help if I can.

Joe

Joe,

Thanks for the reply. I have just started sewing again after MANY years after getting this machine left by my mother. I have some issues with setting the tensions and length of the stitches. The machine seems to run great but I run into some problems on different materials. I have been able to resolve with a lot of "trial and error" and just thought if I could get my hands on a manual I could save myself a lot of time and frustration. I know it was a long shot, but the fact that you got all the cams with the machine, I thought the manual may also have been included. Thanks.

I have a UHT J278A but the zig zag is really tiny and won't straight stitch or lengthen stitiches. I have a lady who wants a machine and was going to sell it but can't get it to sew straight. No cams and it also says it is a HAPPY machine in the underside.

amyjo,

When the controls do not produce the stitches they should it's a good indication there are some parts inside that are frozen up.
Use Tri-Flow and soak it all. Pay careful attention to the moving parts under the face plate and behind the control levers or knobs. Work all the controls as you oil the machine and if that is the problem, it should free up. You might have to use some heat, but check for plastic parts first.

Joe

Adjuster's manual for sale, and it covers through 276, which you said seems the same as your 278
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/Wards/Wards_Service_Manuals/UHT-259-260-275-276_Service_Manual.htm

buy a PDF adjuster manual here http://www.sewingmanuals.com/Sewing_...ds_Service.htm

http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine...g_Machines.htm
look at the 275 and the 276 and 276C and see if any is the same machine as your 275A

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintag...achines/files/
^ Join that group and see if there is something posted in the Files that is close enough.
eta: Look at the DressmakerSWA2000. Looks pretty close, to me.

Joe,

Just wondering.....any luch on that manual? Thanks!

Nope nothing so far. Of course there has been a lot of distractions in the way too.... :) Lots of machines coming in and no sewing being done.

Elaine