Grover & Baker lockstitch machine
 

I am happy to have a new toy, a Grover & Baker #9 lockstitch machine from 1870 (I believe). I am still working hard to get all the rust and gunk off, but am pleased that I have cleaned it enough to try to give it a test spin. I am hoping someone might happen to have a manual or at least have an idea of how to thread my oldie. This one has left me scratching my head.

Thanks!

Suzanne

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I don't know how to help you but that is one wonderful looking machine!

You have some very nice older machines. That one is no exception. Steve will be along soon enough I think.
Rodney

WOW - neat it looks a little different than http://www.victoriansweatshop.com/VS...n-Machine.html as the spool pin is in a different position. I sure don't have a clue. I've noticed the seam guides are really heavy duty pieces.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I'm not much help, but I still can't help being interested and curious. I have adopted an approach that so far has worked where there is no manual. I put a spool of thread on the spool pin, aim for the top tension mechanism looking for guide hooks /eyes / grooves on the way, then for the take up lever, or the equivalent mechanism on the machine. Some of these machine have the entire upper arm with a lifting action. Then from the take up lever towards the needle, still looking for the usual hooks and guides, maybe a groove along the way. A tricky thing with very old machines and some industrials is some have a hole in the needle bar or similar internal part of the machine entering from the top and exiting fairly close to the needle bar. With a bit of investigation, observing moving parts, a bit trial and error you will figure the threading out. I hope the shuttle part is more straight forward.

Thanks everyone! I think I have most of it figured out. Still working on it though. The shuttle is a bit crazy for threading.

Janey, my machine is different than the one in the link as this is a lockstitch machine and has a shuttle and bobbin and the one in the link is a 'double chainstitch' machine and does not have a shuttle. That one is stunning though!

Suzanne

Very nice #9. I had one and just could not bond with it. Another local collector has it now.

Let me know what issues you are having, I can help I am sure.

Thanks all for the help!

Steve, I think I have the threading correct but I am struggling to get a good smooth feed from the bobbin. I have swapped direction of the feed but it still is not smooth. I am getting loose stitches on one side and taught on the other. Depending upon the direction of the bobbin wind it switches from top to bottom. I am not feeling the love for this machine yet either, haha.

Thanks!

Suzanne

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I have a manual for the Grover and Baker No 9. You should have a thread guide just above the tension on the back of the face about level with the take up lever. This is a small tube guide the the thread will pass thru and then down to the tension disc. It is on the back right about where the slot is for the arm. It may be missing do you have a hole there? If so I would make a wire thread guide to stick in it. I will scan the manual if you like. Mine sews great a little noisy but works fine.
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Here is a pic of the guide[ATTACH=CONFIG]535841[/ATTACH]