Timing Gone.
 

Took my vintage 1930s class 15 machine into the only repair shop in my small city. They said the timing mechanism was worn out and it was unfixable. No charge for the service but I would have rathered paid the 80 dollars and have it working.

Is it the end of the road for this machine? I am new to vintage machines. Thanks in advance.

The timing mechanism is worn out ................ Hmmmmm

And did he try to sell you a new one by some chance?

OK, parts are available for the Mdl 15s. What series is it? 15-90, 15-91 ????????
You just have to look for them. There is no such thing as unfixable, only a salesman who don't want to fix it.

If I can bring a rusted up 99K back to life a real repairman can fix a 15.

Joe

Ok that gives me hope. He didn't try to sell me anything and won't charge me. I have bought all my new sewing machines (3) from them in the past. Not sure of the series. I will find out and then look for used parts. I will ask if parts are found if he would fix for a fee? Does that sound reasonable?

So I thought I would by a feather weight to ease my disappointment. There are a few on eBay....is this timing wear a typical problem? Or any other sources for FWs that others have bought from and have been super satisfied with?

Parts are readily available. Now, it's possible what he meant to say is that the repair bill for his time would be worth more than you'd pay for another class 15 machine. And that's very likely. However, if you're attached to this particular machine it can be repaired. It just depends on how much cash you choose to throw at it. If you could do the repairs yourself, you'd only be out a few dollars for parts, but labor is what's going to really cost you.

I am not that handy. I have a 201-3 that is working, so I don't want to throw money at this 15 class one :) I had a hard enough time finding where to lub and oil the working one! Have always want a FW. Maybe I should spend the money in that direction.

He told me he can't order the part from his singer distributor...

Ask around for an old time repair guy or someone familiar with the older machines. This is your best bet for replacement used parts for the 15 or servicing a new FW. Good Luck.

Jon

Timing mechanism is worn out...never heard that one before...unless it is bent I really don't know what he is talking about.

put it in a basket and leave it on Joe's door step - it will be loved...

I live in Canada! That might not work. :)

Joe's sewing machine rescue and rehab ranch. LOL. I'd give it a try but that is quite a way to drive.

Joe

Get J Miller on the phone; I bet he can walk you through it. I have a repairman here in TN who comes to my home and fixes six at a time for me for $180. Best thing that ever happened to both of us. He comes when he can, and I watch and learn. His full-time living "job" is repairing commercial machines for factories all over TN, etc. It is sometimes hard to catch him though; so I just stack them up and wait for him, he can't work on the new computerized machines, but he can sure get an old-timer back up and humming. Love, love, love him.

I pick the machine up tonight and I will ask more questions about what is wrong. The owner was trying to fixing it.

Picked up the machine and he said the whole shaft along the bottom needed to be replaced. He said this machine looked like it worked a lot. I bought it from an upholsterer so it was probably sewing heavy duty stuff it wasn't made for. He said if I find another machine he will service it for me. He didn't charge the $70 dollars. So I am on the hunt again and maybe keep this one for spare parts.

you need to find one with the upper end all rusted out and combine good parts

K,.. I'll take it if you don't want to send it across the border. :)

Seriously though, can you post a pic of the bottom of this supposedly worn out machine?

I am in SK. Here are a few picks. The needle doesn't pick up the bobbin thread. [ATTACH=CONFIG]380932[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]380933[/ATTACH]

Oops!
 

Will try the pics again[ATTACH=CONFIG]380936[/ATTACH]

Nice looking 15-90. Usually the 15's are an easy "fix" but if not hold on to the machine for parts.

Jon

I'm gonna stick my neck out and say quite frankly that I do not believe that machine is unrepairable. Matter of fact I call BS on it.

I have machines with so much use there is no decals left on the bed and they sew perfectly. That machine has so little wear on it the decals are near pristine. No way in Hades could the mechanics be worn out.

You need to take that machine to someone who wants to and knows how to fix the oldies.

Joe

There are repair shops that do not do vintage machine. They are factory trained and do not know how to do the old machines. Or it could be they don't feel like there is enough money in the vintage machines for the amount of time. I think if you do vintage you have to love it.

Sticking my neck out a bit further .... Elaine says: "Do you have the needle in the right direction, do you have the correct needle in it?"

There are a number of things that will cause the needle to fail to pick up the bobbin thread. An incorrectly installed or incorrect needle is a common reason.

Joe

Don't really have any other place to take it in town. But it will stay on my cutting table and help inspire me with the quilt making :)

What kinda needle should I be using...I have just a regular one in.

OMG. Whoever is Elaine, please give her a huge hug for me Joe!....I put a size 16 needle in....the upholstery guy I bought it from gave me some...but I never used them. And I tried every direction...and it SEWS.....wow

:D :D :D :D :D :) :) :)

Elaine is my wife, the master sewist. Now compare that size 16 needle to the one you took out. I'll bet you find there is a difference. Perhaps the one you took out is too short?

The correct needle for the Singer Model 15 is a 15x1.

Joe

The needle is bigger, but I just tried, a regular one the right direction and it works too. This 15-90 is a loud compared to the 201-3.

I still can't believe it works. Thank you thank you. I will look for 15x1 needles for sure. You are so wonderful.

try oiling to to get the noise level down. I'm surprised the repairman didn't figure out you had the wrong needle. I sure would have checked that. I put a new needle in when I get a machine... Well I make sure it isn't hitting something first...

Wonder if the shop even threaded it up? Real head shaker. Enjoy!

vanginney,

Glad we could help.

Miriam's right, oil the machine. Top to bottom, end to end. It will quiet down.

Joe

All I can say is that you should run from that repair store and never go back. I can't believe they'd tell you that when the needle was just in wrong. Eeeeek.

I dont want to press my luck. He mentioned he got it going briefly, but that it slips...can't remember his exact words...so maybe in a few days...it will stop working. I am crossing my fingers it doesn't! We live in a small city with only 2 quilt stores. One deals with PFAFF and a few other brands & the other deals with Bernina. I dont want to make a fuss or I will feel awkward going in to shop.

Think I will keep my little secret to myself. The funny part he said he spent 2 hours, oiling, replacing the tension mechanism, front plate...but didn't charge me for the service. Dont know if I could have figured it out with the tension parts on in the wrong order :)

Everything happens for a reason, and I have learned so much from this forum. Everyone has been so kind. Best.

I'm with Candace on this one. I'd do just what you did and ask for help, then fix it myself before I'd go back into that shop.

There are a bunch of gals on this forum that know more about machines than those that messed with yours. If they can learn to fix them so can you.

Sew for a bit then slipped??????? Arrrgggggghhhhh ........

Might be worth taking sewing machine repair training and opening your own shop where you fix anything. Hmmmm, now that's an idea.

Joe

If you can follow directions to make a quilt you can do about anything on one of these vintage sewing machines. My little hand can fit in the tight places and handle the tiny little screws. I am armed with Triflo, a screw driver, some classes, internet and some videos. I can do it! I have learned a lot just tinkering with old junk machines - stuff I never thought would work can be made to work eventually. Don't let the machine know you don't know what you are doing and you will amaze yourself...
Joe does the rust bucket machines for a challenge. I suggest you start with something a little easier.

Adding my voice to the others, these old machines are relatively easy to maintain and repair. I even managed to replace the needle bar on a Singer 99 with very little help from DH. This board and the internet in general (google is your friend) are great ways to get advice. I learned the bit about needle direction on my 201. I had bought it at an auction and thought it wouldn't sew. It was several years before I obtained a manual and discovered I just had the needle in backwards. :D

Glad to hear you got it up and running. I was pretty skeptical about it being worn out too. Those machines can take a lot of abuse before they "wear out".

I'm in Alberta (close to Edmonton). If you ever come this way, I'd be happy to show you anything I know about maintaining these machines. There's no reason for timing to "slip" in normal usage, unless someone's forgotten to tighten the set screws. I can even show you how to check and set timing so you never have to take it into a shop like that again.

I agree, the only thing you should be using that shop for is notions and "consumables", and possibly not even for that. I would personally call the owner, and tell them that their technician is sending money out the door.

Thanks Tammi. If I ever go west, I will look you up! It sews but sounds a bit louder and less smooth than the 201-3. I oiled it twice now all over.

Just bought a FW this morning, and promise my DH this will be my last one! It will arrive after the 17th. I have never seen one in person and am looking forward to the mini.

I would love to see some of the ones you list in your tag...

they are louder than a 201
try turning the machines by hand and see how they sound - it could just be the motor is noisy.

The 15s and 201s are made differently internally. Tilt them back on their hinges and look at the bottom. Different.
Different tension set ups, different bobbin set ups, different in the arm, different in the pillar.

Similar but different. Each machine will make it's own sounds, you'll get used to their differences.

Joe