Information / Help needed for this sewing machine.
 

Recently my sister and I happened to stumble upon this sewing machine someone happened to throw out. The machine still works however we can find nothing on information for this machine other than it is a Willcox & Gibbs. We're very new to the sewing world and would like any information as we can't seem to find anything? This is what it looks liketoOur main issue also is that it unthreads itself when we try to use it or the thread jumbles up on the bottom of the fabric.. Any tips on how to properly thread this one?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]581687[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]581688[/ATTACH]

It's quite a find you have, I think it's a Type 10 "high speed". There might be a user manual available on the web, and hopefully someone on this forum has exactly the same model up and running. There are a few here with industrial machines.

Adding a link to a blogpost with a bit on how to thread it, needle type and oiling.

Way cool. I have never seen a circle device near the top of the presser bar like that one. Is top tension regulated there? OOOH looking again this looks industrial even neater. Good score.

4000 stitches per minute claimed What a speedster. Scroll down a bit manual available too
http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/Willcox%20a...%20machine.htm

Victoriansweatshop.com might have additional information. Plus we love pictures over there.

Be careful if you are new to sewing machines, that machine's speed is like a new driver in a Porsche! I've been sewing for years, and my Singer 285K was a bit too zippy for me the other day. Of course, I was using it to repair a bath matt...

I found this on youtube, it should help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B1bp9DORtA

Would love to find one of these, but have never heard of them here.

Be careful!
 

Please keep your hands well away from the "hand" wheel (this can be difficult for experienced sewers accustomed to fine-tuning speed by manually applying drag to the wheel). I once saw a woman's fingers crushed/mangled by the exposed belt of a machine like this one. She may have lost them. Seeing this still makes me shudder, 40 years later. If I were going to use this machine, I'd get my husband to fabricate a guard to ensure that I couldn't touch the wheel while the motor is running. It looks like a fabulous machine; congrats on the find!

Congrats on the fun find! Hope you get info from some of the knowledgeable folks here. :)