Help with Free Westinghouse 956228-E
 

Good Morning!

I am new to this group, but you came highly recommended.

I picked up a new to me Free Westinghouse sewing machine. I was especially keen on the ruffle foot.

However, I can not get the bobbin to wind evenly or neatly. It winds to the right half of the bobbin, and then, pinches the thread. The manual clearly states that the bobbin tension must be loose. I have a new "tire" and pulley piece on it.

I took apart the tension discs to see if they were dirty, they were not.

Also, I have read that moving the needle holder up 1/8th of an inch will solve the unique needle size problem. Has any one tried this?

Thank you!

Welcome sew4dancers.
The rufflers are great fun - and - they seem to multiply (just like vintage/antique machines) LOL:)

I see you have a manual - which can be extremely helpful. Some of the manuals will show how and where to adjust if the bobbin isn't winding correctly. It would be helpful to know if your machine is a long or round bobbin. It would also be helpful to see how you have it threaded to wind the bobbin.

Since I don't have a Free Westinghouse of either bobbin type, I'm not sure what you are asking about the needle. Is it that you are trying to use 15x1 rather than the size that was originally intended for the machine?

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

I will take some photos...most likely tomorrow, and show you. I thought I uploaded two photos. One should be the front view.

Thanks!

Your machine looks very nice. I'm sure the bobbin difficulties have to do with correct set up; following the thread rout, guides and hooks correctly or something like that. A winder can act up if there's wheels and turning parts that need cleaning and oiling, rubber tires might need replacing (yours looks fine in the picture though). Make sure it's the correct bobbin for the machine, with old machines the accessories that come with it are often a bunch of all sorts.

It looks like I could move the needle stop (when you install) up a bit. There is a screw that could be loosened and moved.

I really can't help about needle. I've read mixed things about changing the needle bar or filing a 15x1 needle to make work in this machine. I will tell of an experience I had. I was cleaning and oiling a Franklin machine for a coworker (had belonged to his grandmother). Everything I read was that it took a 20x1. However, while cleaning I kept finding bits of broken needles. I decided I would very carefully try a 15x1. It worked perfectly without any adjustments or problems. It might not hurt to try. Did it have the short needle in it when you got it?

As far as the bobbin winding, my guess would be that something isn't lined up right. In some of the manuals I've read it suggests bending the guide. I know how fragile some of the metal pieces can be and that wouldn't be my first choice of options. Some of the other manuals show that there is an adjusting screw to change the position slightly to even out the bobbin winding. It appears on pages 46 & 56 of this manual that the bobbin winder tension discs are on the left side of the thread guide piece. Does it screw apart? I'm wondering if there might be some way to adjust the bobbin winder itself to the right a bit. Or adjust the thread guide to the left a bit. I like the Singer 15s as you can unscrew and move the position of the tension guides to even out the bobbin winding.

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

I will try some things...the discs may have been too tight. I will try that. With my Kenmore, I actually use my finger to help keep the thread in the tension part of the winder.

The funny thing is, that this machine, after oiling is quieter than my Kenmores!

I will let you know.

Thank you!!!!

Yes, guiding with finger is another option.

Which Kenmore do you have? Is it a left homing, high, low or extra high shank?

Good luck, looks like a neat machine to sew with.

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

I have an extra high and low shank Kenmore. Both with Cams...need more feet for the low shank. One is a 158.17033.

V.

I finally wound a bobbin...slowly, using my finger to get it to go back and forth.

I used the machine. I can't see a difference between the needle in there at purchase time and a regular one. With the original needle in the machine, it WORKED!!!!!! (On paper towel!)

The manual should tell you what kind of needle this machine uses. Happy for you that you wound the bobbin and got her sewing.

I'm sure you will sort it out with a bit of trying and testing. If the manual is there it might say something about needle type. Some of these straight stitchers run surprisingly smooth and quiet. With a bit of cleaning, oiling and perhaps new feet under the base they improve a lot. My Singer 201 is my smoothest machine. If you manage to track down the model and maker it will be easier to find a box of accessories for it. These machine were often sold under various brands. The presser bar fitting looks a bit different than the basic side clamp.

Congrats :thumbup: Maybe it was already modified to use 15x1 needles - that would be nice.

Is your low shank Kenmore a left homing needle? If it is central, low shank it should be easy to find attachments for. I'll bet you'll be anxious to try the ruffle attachment. It does take a little getting used to. It would be helpful if machine was modified to accept modern needles. It was too long ago to remember with any certainty, but it seems like I did break a couple needles while using the ruffler the first few times I used it.

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

It came with several hemmers and a ruffler, which is why I grabbed it!

I found a place in Manassas. I may bring my low shank Kenmore there too, and see if I can get more feet for it. Happily, oil seems to be all my Kenmore's need. The super high shank I oil often, but I use that one the most.

I recently got one of these, and cleaned it up and got it working. It's a great machine! As for the needles, it is supposed to take "C1221" needles, that are no longer manufactured. I modified mine to take 15x1 needles, it's very simple. It's actually a no-brainer, because you just raise the needlebar as high as you can, but not to where the lower thread guide hits the body of the machine at the top of the stroke. The eye of the needle will be just below the hook, but it catches fine, I didn't miss a single stitch in thousands. As somebody else said, this modification might have already been done on yours.
Also keep in mind this motor has oil ports, mine was very dry.

Hello! Can you tell me what the "needlbar" is? I was overly optimistic about the machine working. If you can send a photo that would be great.

Thanks!

Victoria

The needle bar is the rod thing that goes up and down when you turn the hand wheel, the needle is inserted at the lower end of it. There might be replacments for the C1221 needles if you compare needle systems, but if adjusting for 15x1 needle work well, that might be the best solution. With such a very nice condition macine I'm sure you want it to run and stitch equally nice.

You have to remove the faceplate, and then loosen this screw:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]579146[/ATTACH]
It's likely to take some elbow grease, make sure you use a screwdriver that fits the slot well, and take care you don't strip the screw. Once it's loose, you only have to back it off a little bit, and then work the needlebar loose. It'll probably be stuck a little, just grab the needle clamp and twist it back and forth gently, and it should loosen up. Once it is, you have to move it upwards. You're going to be limited by this:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]579147[/ATTACH]
If you move the bar too far, the thread guide will hit the bottom of the "tube" that comes out of the head of the machine. So turn the handwheel to the highest point in the stroke, move the needlebar to where it's almost, but not quite, hitting, and then tighten that screw back up, making sure that the needle clamp is still turned the right way. It should now work with 15x1 needles.
I'm new here, and I only had a couple minutes to do this, so let me know if this isn't clear enough. I'll have more time this weekend.

Rob