What are these for?
 

Does anyone know what this little selector (small white dial with +- on it ) is for? There's also another larger selector thats kinda star shaped and sits above the needle bar assembly. I never noticed these adjustors until I started cleaning and oiling this machine. This is the Necchi 4795 I'm working on. Thanks for all the help.

I've seen a similar +/- knob on Kenmore machines that regulate the quality of reverse stitching.

The knob in the presser bar area might control presser foot pressure.

Mark is correct. Start shaped knob regulates presser foot tension. The + / - controls the stitch density of button hole sides. At least it does on the Kenmores and Singers I've got.


Joe

Thank you very much. I never knew sewing machines even had presser foot pressure adjustments. I thought everything was set by a spring. It looks like I have a LOT to learn.

Most of the older machines had some system of varying the tension on the presser bar spring, thus varying the presser foot pressure.

Crocee just listen to these guys. They know it. And are willing to get on here and help anyone.

Before I joined this site I never gave a thought to the inner workings and cleaning of a sewing machine. As long as it would sew a straight line that looked good I was a happy camper. In the recent past I've obtained several vintage machines and learned there's a whole lot more than making that line look good. You guys are the best.