Mickey2

Dirt, grime and dried oil can interfere with a lot of functions on the machine. Keep up a cleaning and oiling routinge and the machine will eventually return to former glory.

There are help to be found. Almost half way down this page there is a guide on how to clean and sort out the old type tensioner on a 15. I think it shold be the same as on your 115. Tension release is connected to the presser bar lifter, and you have to make sure all the parts behind the faceplate is clean and oiled. It can take a bit of effort and a few turns to get it nice again, pay particularly attention to the link from presser bar lifter to the tension release parts. I assume it pushes against the release pin from behind there.

If somone has an old type 15 tensioner, they might measure the release pin. I would not start cutting it just yet, at least not until everything is clean, oiled and sorted out. The reassembly parts here are very dirty, they should go back together clean and dry.

Mickey2

It's a rather good tutorial for the 15s, and the 115 is a 15 with a differents to the bobbin, race and-hook system and to the parts under the bed. Here's part 2 and part 3 of the tutorial.

OurWorkbench

More then likely it is the right pin, probably just gunked up. It is supposed to move freely so it will put pressure on the tension discs when you lower the presser foot.
I sure hope Adobe hasn't changed. I can print only the current page and "actual size" - NOT fit to page or frame. I'll try to get a screen shot tonight. The page that I referred to in previous post says that it is a full size plate. I know those parts manuals that are shown as actual size sure came in handy when I tried to put a 66 back together, as I had mixed all the screws together to clean.


It really depends on which parts you need, especially for a machine this old. If you are talking about the check spring, I would suggest sew-classic. It might not be exact, but close enough to work. https://shop.sew-classic.com/searchq...s=check+spring I think probably https://shop.sew-classic.com/Check-S...?categoryId=-1

Ebay sometimes has parts for old machines. There may be some OSMG somewhere that would have spare parts. But it really depends on the part needed.

Thanks Mickey2 to linking to the 2nd and 3rd pages to the one I referred to. Putting the tension back together is shown in the 3rd part https://quiltersstashbox.com/blogs/v...t-3-reassembly

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

OurWorkbench

Here is a screen shot of printing the page from the parts pdf that I linked to. I circled in red the changes I had to make to get it to print the actual size. I printed it out and the pin measures 1 1/8" long.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]602776[/ATTACH]


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Mickey2

For parts available I hope you mean accessories, attachments and bobbins. These machines tend to last nearly for ever with minor upkeep and a more thorough fix up every 50 years. For replacement parts there are a few sources; ebay being suprisingly good. I think Cidy Peters are still active, for Singers in general Helen Howes in the UK can be worth noticing, but in the case of the 115 you have to rely on US sources. I hope someone else adds to this.

The 115 is a particuarly smooth and light running model, it has a very good reputation. The accessory box for it was probably identical to a 15 at the time, and any low shank feet should in general fit your machine. You will find buttonholers, zigzagger, and more for it. Some modern quilting feet work very well with the old machines. I have had some trouble with jumping feet; even though they technically were low shank I manage to ruin them; it is a bit of trial and error situation , but you will find some that work both modern and vintage.

lwbuchholz

Thank you everyone. I have a lot of studying to do. I did find the problem with the pin. There is a screw that holds it in place so I took it out and cleaned the passage for the pin and the tension works great now. I did a stupid though. I found that the bobbin tension wasn't right so I loosened the screw and did too much and it popped out and I can't find it. It is so tiny it could have gone anywhere so now I need to find another screw. I didn't want to do too much work on it until I found out if it would work. Now I will get down to business. This 115 doesn't have the fancy face plate on the front. It is very plain but it does have all the decals so it is pretty. I have to get the rhythm of a treadle since I haven't used one since I was a child and I am much older now.
Thank you again!!!!!!
Lynda

Mickey2

That's a classic too, someone adviced to fit the end of the vaccume cleaner with a nylon stocking, and it would pick it up and sift it out. Glasses on, lots of light and do some searcing on your knees, with a good torch in your hand.

lwbuchholz

I was crawling around on my old knees with a magnet and all I got was dust. I am afraid I have lost it for good. But how to find another is a problem.
Lynda

bkay

Sewing machine screws are unique. They are not standard screws. You might not be able to replace it.

You need to keep looking. Try vacuuming and emptying the bag and going through it.

bkay

Mickey2

Start with an empty bag in the vaccum! Or do a second attemt with the nylon stocking trick at the nozzle end. The screw will turn up, don't give up on it.