Universal Machine, Advice?
 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]590580[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]590581[/ATTACH]
Asking for a friend. She said her machine is not working, I have not had time to go over and take a look at it. I/we have no idea what is wrong with it (I don't know if it's not running at all, won't stitch, etc.). Do you have any thoughts on this machine? Is it a good machine that would be worth checking into having it serviced/repaired? TIA

It might be something simple like needing a new light bulb. It looks like a heavy "portable" mechanical machine and for simple sewing straight/zigzag, might be pretty good. Foot controller /wiring looks old, but you've got the manual and it looks like an attachments box tucked on the side. I'd go for it, but that's just me.

That looks like a great vintage machine! I am into my Singer 301's, but that one looks great if you ask me and worth working on it for sure....save all these lovely machines!

I would think it's something simple. It doesn't appear to have electronic parts, so that's a plus. If it just "won't work", I'd start with the controller. I'm a novice machine collector, not a mechanic, but that's where I would start. Motors seldom fail on a sewing machine, so "won't work" usually means the motor is not getting power.

Also, I just saw this - It has that weird plug "thingy". The motor and foot pedal plugs have to be plugged into certain slots. If they are reversed, the controller won't work, but the light will come on. So, first try reversing how they are plugged in. (I had that problem with my MW 17 Jewel, also a Japanese made model. If this doesn't make sense, I'll try to be more accurate with my language.)

bkay

Old lubrication could be another potential issue. I worked on a Singer 9020 that the needle was sluggish when zig-zagging, and it was because the grease on the cam followers had dried out into a gummy mess that acted like silly putty.

bkay,
Are you talking about his kind of plug ins? https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...922-590161.jpg

Cindy A try turning it by hand before you plug it in. If it will go through full rotations, then you can try the motor.

Is it belt driven? Can you loosen the belt and see if the motor will run by itself?

Yes, but mine was not labeled. It had worked previously, so I kept searching the internet and found the instructions that explained that the different parts had to be plugged in a specific outlet. I switched the plugs and it worked perfectly.

bkay

Thank you, bkay!

Thanks, everyone! My friend and I have both been super busy and she hasn't had a chance to do anything, yet. But we really appreciate all the great input. She will keep it and try to get it working.

Ha ha! When I read the post title I thought you were seeking advice for a machine model that does it all for you! As a "collector" I was eager to hear what one machine anyone would reduce to that does it all! I haven't found a good answer for the question yet "if you had to reduce to one machine, which would you choose?" Who would do such a thing?

I like the blue and chrome on that Universal machine. Using the manual as a start (when you get time), oil everything with a good sewing machine oil (not 3 in 1, or WD40), Tri-flow is great because it has teflon. Put it through several handwheel revolutions, let it sit overnight. I have had success with then sitting it on its back overnight as well. Then let us know what still isn't working.

Bkay that's not quite how that cord block works. The "light" part of it gets constant power when you plug it in and the "motor" part gets power when the controller is used. So if you plug the motor and light in the wrong spots, the light will come on when you press the controller(if the light switch is on) and the motor take off like a shot and will run at full speed until you unplug it.

Cari

The cord block on my MW 17 Jewel was not labeled at all. It looked generic, like it came from a hardware store. I'm not sure how it worked. I only know that when I bought it, it worked. The case stunk, so I removed everything in the case and put the case in the car in the summer stuffed with newspaper and a bowl of cat litter. (It helped, but did not totally solve the problem.) When I put it back together, it wouldn't work. By that I mean the machine was totally dead and did not respond to the controller (I can't remember if the light worked or not.). I did an online search and finally found something about the plugs. I reversed where the plugs were plugged in and it worked normally.

I thought someone else might benefit from what I experienced.

bkay