problem with this
 

My neighbor gave me this machine. said her daughter got it at a yard sale some time ago. Dad cannot get it to work. I have it doing everythings except it will not make a stitch. It catches and then nothing. Can anyone tell me about this Singer and any ideas of what is wrong? It is metal, and heavy.

Have you taken off the cover and cleaned out the inner workings with alcohol?

It may be "frozen" with old oil.

Have you replaced the belt? If the belt is worn, the motor will hum and hum, but the mechanism will not turn.

Is the needle in correctly? Do you have the right bobbin? Do you have a manual to double check these things? There are downloadable manuals available if you google.

I like that machine. Just the other day I was using one of my Kenmores and it wouldn't make a stitch. I rethreaded, checked that the bobbin was in correctly, but it still didn't make a stitch. I decided to change out the needle and guess what. The needle that was in it was shorter than the 15 that it is supposed to have. Where I got that needle from I don't know, but when I changed from my double needle I put the short one in by mistake. Sometimes it is the simplest of things that are wrong. Good luck with yours.

does it stitch when you turn it by hand?

Sometimes it's the simplest things that cause the trouble. Needles are a pain in the neck, make sure yours is the correct needle, seated correctly and threaded correctly.

Duh ..... I'm learning too.

Joe

Did changing out the needle work? Here is some info I put together for when a machine won't stitch: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...g-t182255.html

I just bought one of those - kind of a cool machine. I can see how you might have problems with that belt. Some people turn those into treadle machines. Under where your cord is setting in the front, is a little plastic part that can be unscrewed to remove it - a treadle belt runs through there and a chanel in the back - look behind the machine and under you will see a hole where the treadle belt can come out. This machine should fit right into a Singer 66 treadle base.

belt seems to be fine. the bobbins came with the box of attachments, will check on the needle next. Thei first time I tried to sew with it the bottom was a mass of bird's nest. tried turning the little screw on the bobbin case andnow it won't do anything. sigh. The quilters around here have a gentleman they take thier machines to and highly recommended him when I went to the quilt show. Thought I would have him look at it and let me know what he things and if it will be a lot to fix. Now if I can just ...find...his ...card.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. thank you for all the suggestions.

What model is that? I don't think I've ever seen one before!

Beautiful machine. I wish I had neighbors like yours :)