Ah....the Phoenix 283F....I have one sitting in my dining room (in New Zealand). Anyone know of someone who would like it?

What she said! (Hi Mavis!)

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*** He is one Handsome Dude.
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I bought this machine a couple of day ago, Phoenix 283F. I haven't threaded it up yet, it takes a different needle system than I'm used too (need to buy needles). I've had a few rounds of cleaning and oiling, it runs well. There is a cam stack in the back I can take out; it's a metal holder taking 4 cams at a time. Has anyone identified the cam type? I was hoping to track down a few cams and a few presser feet.

They are just flat cams but you have to be able to fit them on the shaft and be the correct diameter. Those are very nice machines. Don't forget to thread the bobbin case hole. I have an 82 but let the good one go to a little gal who ssssoooooo needed it. The one I had came with all the attachments and some extra disks. My favorite attachment was the darning/free motion foot. I was able to use regular needles in my machine but it really should take round shaft needles.

There was a regular 130 needle in it when I got it, but it says very visibly on the needle plate "needle system 1738". I can always try a regular needle in the mean time. For the last few days I have searched for cams and accessories on ebay and various places but not much luck. It doesn't look like a very common brand. There's two drive belts under a cover, I need to find the right size for replacement; they are a bit crumbly but not terribly.

The round needle does fit better.
You may have to search in Germany for your parts. There are a few Phoenix machines in the states.
Mine take short shank attachments.
The belts are nearly impossible to find.
I've been fortunate to have good belts on both Phoenix machines I have found.

Hello,
I have inherited my mum's jones 283f.
Looks just like the photo of frudemoo.
Does anyone have a manual?
It runs, it stiches.
But.
It's making huge loops on the underside.
I'm a novice but I think it's tension.
Any bright ideas?

The tricky thing is threading with this one. It's easy when you know how, but the bobbin thread has to go in just right as well as the upper tension guide with three holes. This is the manual for the 282 and the 283, here is the second part. My machine needed a lot of oiling to run and shift again. There is a spring in the upper left corner behind the bobbin lid that releases the top of the freearm, it can be stuck too and need a bit of oil to move easily again.

When threading is correct then you can adjust tension; with loops under the fabric you have to tighten the upper tension dial until you get balanced stitches.

Be sure the bobbin thread is correct. Does goes through a little loop. It will not sew right if Is incorrect.