Miriam,

Of course I want all the fun! I'd much rather play with/ work on machines than sew. :D:D

Cathy

sigh - me too - so much more fun... lately I've been getting derelict machines - all kinds of issues. I wish you could stop by, Cathy - we could have so much fun... Yesterday I worked on a 'Capital' - outside looked good. It was ejecting bobbins. Then I noticed the needle was hitting somewhere way off. I reset the timing. Then I test sewed with it. The tension was way off. I rebuilt the tension/bobbin tension - the little thing that the pin hits on was in backwards. Nice machine. It does zz, ss and blind hem and has an automatic buttonhole maker - it would treadle and do it well. I also got a Singer 223 with the same throat plate/bobbin cover as the Capital... also made in Japan. It had remarkably the same problems. I'm thinking the worst machines in town go to shopgoodwill - so far they all need something. I'm learning so much!!! I also got a Brother machine that seems real bouncy - it's the only way I can describe that machine. I oiled it up with T-F and gave it time out. There is something wrapped around the motor shaft, too. The belt is wrong. The motor is reluctant.

"There is something wrapped around the motor shaft, too."

I had one with hair wrapped around the motor shaft. That must have hurt whoever was sewing at the time. OUCH!

"The motor is reluctant"

I've got some like that too. They're just not overly thrilled about working.

Joe

I finished cleaning the 185K and had no screws left over! And she sews! I watched Muv's video and learned a lot. Did you know that every little-bitty piece in that machine is marked for singer? My only problem was the light. The housing is painted green and will come off if you scrub too hard. Otherwise, everything Muv suggested was perfect! Thanks Muv and thanks to Miriam for her help, too.

Bobbie

Cathy I'm so glad you're feeling better!
Sharon

Wow that is such a cool collection. I don't think I could ever be that organized.

Hehehehehehehe! Miriam you are so funny - I love your posts! Thank you for chastising me about the 'knob' not being frozen but the mechanism that it is connected to! You are so right, but right now I am busily finishing a quick quilt for the camper - sewing like crazy with the Signature. When I get this top pieced and the back pieced, I will go back to the stuck parts!

Cathy, I might just take you up on that offer if I don't have this machine unstuck by Girls Night Out! Other than the stuck "knobs" - oh sorry, I mean the parts the knobs are connected to, this machine sews like a 'Pfaff' - oh I mean a dream! It is very strong, smooth, and quiet!

Nancy

Good, that means I will see you for this next GNO.

Cathy

I'm having fits with this one... It is a Singer 223 made in Japan
She does have a pretty face:
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The Singer 223 has straight stitch, zz and a blind hem stitch. I am impressed that the machine for the most part is well made. Maybe someone else has one and can help me out a little bit. Some times I'm blind as a bat. I got it mostly cleaned up and then I tested it. It would zig but not zag if you know what I mean... I gave it more oil and time out. LOL...
Today, after working on a couple other projects, I thought I would tackle the timing issues. I looked at the needle bar and thought it looked like it was fine. Then I thought aw why not - I hadn't cleaned out the grease trap to the rear of and below the shuttle I guess. Two little old screws. I'll NEVER not look there again. Nope not ever... Probably do it first from here out. YETCH. Full of grease and lint. There is a little opening behind the shuttle for all the lint to funnel right in there. SO I dug it out - hard dried up grease mixed with lint. As I was digging I noticed that the set screws on the gears were loose. I'm thinking there is another set screw for the shuttle holder that is not holding either. I think it will need to be timed as I tighten up the set screws. I put it back together and gave it some time out... me too... I'm hoping the of the gear box comes up - below is the cover with some grease and lint still on it. I must have dug grease out for a good hour....
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