Help with older machine--bobbin thread doesn't catch
 

A young friend of mine got a free Singer Machine, a 1946 class 15. The upper thread won't catch the bobbin thread.
Also does anyone have a manual she can get a copy of?
Thanks.

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...al-rotated.pdf
or, if it's the model with the potted motor
http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...uals/15-91.pdf

What do you mean potted motor?

The 101, 15-91 and 201-2 have an external motor that meshes directly with gearing on the inside of the machine rather than using a belt. It's colloquially known as a potted motor. Sorry for slipping up there.

Here's a picture of a 66 with the external motor followed by a 15-91 with the potted motor

Thanks for your help!

Did you clean the lint out of the machine and oil it well? Is the needle in the correct way? Backwards needles won't pick up.

this is a link to an old thread - you may have to cut and paste to get to the sites:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...g-t182255.html maybe it will help you figure it out

Thanks for your help.

Do you have the right needle?

I have a 1951 15-91. I had the needle in backwards and was threading it wrong. The flat side of the needle goes toward the left side and the needle threads from right to left, like the featherweight. Those are the only 2 machines I have that thread that way, but they won't sew a stitch unless they are situated just so!

Add Singer 293 and Singer 301 to your list. Gave me fits until I figured that out. The throat plate has an arrow - should have been a clue. The arrow points the way the thread goes in the needle. If the thread goes in that way the needle groove goes on the side the thread goes in. There is an arrow on my Singer 404 but it goes front to back. I hadn't noticed the arrows before last week.

That's useful to know. Thank you Miriam.

Clare

LOL. I'll have to check for arrows.

They don't ALL have arrows... I wish.