Deb G

I recently bought a 403a slant-o-matic at an auction. It's in a cherry wood cabinet and I paid $2.50 for it. As I was cleaning and oiling it I noticed the throat plate, where the needle goes up and down, looks like it has been scrapped by the needle. The needle rubs on it as it sews. I thought the needle might be bent so I changed that but it didn't help. There wasn't a bobbin with it so I don't know if it will actually sew stitches.
I'm wondering if there could be an obvious problem with it, like something that happens to these older machines when they've had years of use. If it doesn't end up being to costly I might get it fixed but I'm just wondering if anyone might have an idea about what the problem could be.
~Deb~

Shelbie

Did you check to see that the needle position was set for straight stitching? Does this machine have a straight stitch throat plate as well as a zig-zag throat plate? If the machine was set to do a fine zig-zag it would definately rub on the straight stitch plate. Was a cam left in and now is causing trouble? The needle should definately not be scraping on the throat plate. Good luck trouble shooting this one. (Check the instruction book too!)

mom-6

What side (back,front,right,left) is it hitting?
Knowing that might help with figuring out why.

Lostn51

I think its the needle position selector that is causing the issue with that one. Make sure it is in the center position and you should be good.

Billy

Deb G

I have the all purpose throat plate on it and the needle is centered, no cam in.
Here's a pic of where it's rubbing.

Deb G

I have the all purpose throat plate on it and the needle is centered, no cam in.
Here's a pic of where it's rubbing where the arrow is pointing. It's like the needle is bent forward but it really isn't. Would the shaft coming down be bent?

Lostn51

It could be a possibility the shaft is bent but try to replace the needle with another 15x1 and make sure it is in all the way. I cant remember if the needle threads to the side or front to back on that machine but make sure it is in right.

Billy

KatFish

Mine did that too. I got a manuel to see if I could find out what was wrong. The letters by the specialty stitches were not lined up where they needed to be for straight stitching.

miriam

I have a 411G that hits the foot - I got a repair manual and diddled with it and didn't get it fixed. I'm not sure if the shaft is bent or what. It is frustrating. I would love to get that machine working. I understand the 411 can be rigged to go on a treadle.

miriam

There is an adjustment for the shaft in the service manual - you can get a copy on line for about $10 - it is a service manual opposed to an operator's manual. I was able to move it around but my machine seems to have a slight bend in the shaft. When was that machine last thoroughly cleaned? I like to wash all the old gunky oil off them. Billy has info on that on here somewhere for the older machines. For that one, there are parts in the zigzag that sometimes get stuck up with old dried up oil. The kerosene wash could free up the zigzag part if that is what is stuck. Since it is electric you have to just kind of paint on the kerosene and keep towels around to dry it off. If your needle is hitting side to side it might just be gunky oil. Sometimes a bit of heat directed at the zig zag part of the shaft will free it up too.