I betcha it is a normal needle. I betcha it needs the industrial type - those are round at the top. It sews fine but that needle is tough to get out.
Here should be a pic of the cam stack. I think there must be a way to change out the disks - I have a bunch more and no place for them to mount on the machine. [ATTACH=CONFIG]374188[/ATTACH]
it was easy to remove

I don't know if the second pic will turn up or not so I'll try again with a different shot
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Ok here it is in the machine
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I still haven't been able to clean the machine but I can't keep from going and stroking it just a bit now and then...

I had a tough time getting the needle out of the machine. The round shank needles from the consew fit in there but are a bit longer so they won't sew. At least I know what to buy and I know it isn't the wrong length. It makes a very nice stitch but no power yet.

I picked up a FW this afternoon and figured out why the 'tension' didn't work... The needle was in backwards
Some rough looking paint and scrubbed off decals but a very good condition machine - sounds good - I oiled it just a bit and test sewed. Great little machine. She's setting in front of the Phoenix
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On the Phoenix, the lever next to the stitch length lever works the camstack selection. Very neat and good engineering.

wah - looks like the pics didn't show up. Wah.

miriam, pop the picture into Paint and resize it or Patrice has better directions. I had some like that. Same computer, same camera, go figure.

I passed on a metal Riccar in perfect condition today. Nice looking machine if you like shiny cream color ones.

I remember many months ago when you had a needle in backwards also.:D:D:D:D:D

Skip

yeah that would be me... Back then I was mostly using and working on machines that had the needle go straight back - hadn't used many with the side mount... I guess I thought they all went in like the FW. It sure does mess up a machine when you put the needle in backwards. You taught me well, Glenn. :D:D:D:D:D I learned new stuff on that Phoenix - that regular needle is too fat for the Phoenix - it will go in but it is hard to get out. I'd sure hate to break one in there. We celebrated Wilbur's birthday last night - he wanted pumpkin pie with 3 candles.