No, a parts machine is not a complete loss and I needed some parts that it had. So that is good but the problem it had was a terminal problem and the poor gal is doomed I'm afraid. She will be an organ donor so another can live on is not a bad way to go I guess. ~G~

Skip,

Please add my condolences to all the rest. I know that Texas Jan and her husband both knew it would be a tough fight, and I am sorry that the cancer won. Tell her to let her memories carry her and the rest of her family too.

Melinda

Skip, Please add my name to the condolences for Jan and her family. I'll keep her in my prayers.

Janis

Grant,

I also have a Dressmaker 7000. It's got problems with the linkage but works other wise.
Could you take a straight down pic of the insides of the machine with the top off? I've been trying to figure out what the problems with mine are but so far the solution has eluded me. It's been messed with internally. Lots of the screws are buggered up.

I'm in Springfield so if you head down this way PM me and we might could hook up for a chat and coke somewhere.

Oh, have you removed any of the internal parts from your machine?

Joe

I talked to Jan yesterday. She was in good spirits. She told me her husband just got so so sick at the very end. I think she's a bit relieved he's no longer in pain, but probably still a little bit shell shocked. We had been planning to meet up again for some show and tell of our respective collections. She's such a sweet lady :) She even joked asking if I was calling her to tell her she could have one of my machines she had drooled over. :D

I have one too now. Everything seems to move but I haven't really looked it over much

Miriam,

Mine moves, sews and with the cams makes the patterns. But when the cam follower gets to the high parts of the cam the machine bogs down as if something is binding. And there appears to be way to much pressure on the cam follower. When I've used it there is always white debris on the end of the follower from the cams.

I've not had the time to really work with it. Way to many things getting pushed up to the top of the "to do" list.

Joe

Mine says Grandma Miller on the case... LOL - I haven't checked it yet...
I had therapeutic massage today again - it might be awhile - she spent an hour & broke up a lot of scar tissue in my shoulder - she says she didn't get all of it so I'll have to have that again. So no hauling around machines for a while. If I can get DH to move one where I need it to be or if he is around I might mess around with a couple. Maybe a Featherweight or a plastic wonder... snicker Oh and the massage lady asked me if I lift weights...

I also brought home a Rodney sewing machine - it is so cute... My camera fell out of my pocket at the park Sunday - don't despair too much, DD found it in the swing the next day but hasn't returned it yet - I promise I'll shoot a pic of Rodney. I did look at Rodney and love what I saw - looks like a boy machine to me - aptly named.

Oh and a Singer 306 with a manual - wow!

I remember the Dressmaker with Gradma Miller on it. I was SOOOOOOO tempted to bid on it, but I hesitated then saw you had a bid and wished you luck.

I remember the Rodney too. But I'm looking for your pics.

Joe

Singer 500 is breaking it's top thread constantly.

OK, machine is a derelict that someone has messed with a bit and has some missing parts.

I have found enough parts to put it back in action:
Oiled and greased everything that moves.
Freed up the cam stack selectors.
Cleaned the hook area and the bobbin case.
Adjusted the bobbin case tension, there was none when I got it.
Adjusted the top tension, it was too tight.
Put in brand new unused needle.
The needle to hook timing is good.
The top and bobbin tension looks good when it sews.

After about an inch or two you'll hear a crunch, then a couple more stitches another crunch and the top thread breaks.

I'm not sure what's gonna become of this machine, but I want to see if I can make it sew before we make our decision.

Anybody have any ideas on what else to look for?

Joe