irishrose

I worked on a S T & S at church this week. I had a terrible time getting the bobbin out. Is there a trick to that little black thingy? Finally got it out, cleaned and back in. The machine would sew a few stitches then start skipping. Any ideas? My repairman says to clean the tension (I didn't). Or is it time to turn the Touch & Sew into a Touch & Throw? I wouldn't care except both other machines available there are ZZ machines and I prefer to quilt on a straight stitch, which this one is. If that one will sew, I wouldn't need to take my 301.

Tartan

My touch and sew was a good machine that I would still have if I could have found new bobbins. My bobbins were all worn and would not rotate well in the bobbin case. The next time you use it, check the little nub on the bottom of the bobbin. The nub should have nice crisp edges not worn or rounded. With the Internet, you can probably find new bobbins?

miriam

I agree!
Bobbin wear or a burr would do it. Check to see that you have the right needle and foot - if the foot is not flat on the bottom it could allow the needle to raise fabric up and cause a skip by not making a loop underneath. The right needle will make it work better too. If you are using knits you want a gold needle. You might also check to be sure the tension is adjusted right.

irishrose

miriam, this one has a black rigid deal with an attached spring that has to move to access the bobbin. Is there any good way to deal with that? Actually, I don't care about this machine unless I can find a single needle plate. I refuse to quilt with a ZZ needle plate. I played with the top tension, but not the bottom. I will clean the upper tension when I'm there Wednesday.

pinecone

If after everything it is still skipping stitches (sew a few, skip a lot, sew a few..) take a screwdriver and undo the bottom case of the machine after it is unplugged. My DD's machine had some crumbled gears there. My local machine dealer had it up and running for just a few dollars.

piney

miriam

http://www.tandtrepair.com/700TS.html
This is the best info on T&S machines that I know of.

Linda - K.

Thanks for that site! I have a 626 that I bought in Oct 1965 after I graduated from HS and it's nice to have info if I ever need it repaired. With the original Singer company out of business, we need to know where to get parts, info on these machines. Mine still works great.

miriam

keep it cleaned and oiled and keep your fingers crossed.

katykwilt

Nancy's Notions has bobbins for these machines. Also feet for the Slant Needle machines. Don't be afraid to adjust the lower tension, although this doesn't sound like a tension problem, possibly something to do with the needle or pressure foot adjustment. What model are you working on? I can't picture picture what you're describing. I have four of these units -- all working, three 600's and one 648 (think that's right). Have never had a problem with anything like you suggested. Hope you find a solution soon.

irishrose

I have the machine here to look over. It's a 639. Single stitch, no bobbin winder - it's in the machine, a chainstitch with some modifications. I found a manual online and I saw several things in it that weren't familiar to me, so let's hope its glitches last week were operator errors, not machine problems. Thank you, everyone. That site was very helpful, miriam.