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Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Old 09-25-2011, 07:38 PM
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I found one of the new Singer Featherweight machines at a local GW! Plugged it in and the motor ran and the needle went up and down. Brought it home and played a bit on it and it seems to run well. I think I will put it away for a granddaughter, eventually, but just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on these machines. I know...they are plastic (I'm unable to take it apart....no screws, so it must be a throw away machine) but that's all I know about it. Certainly not the Featherweight from 1954 I have upstairs!! LOL!
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Old 09-25-2011, 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by sewbizgirl
Hi Everybody. I am having a problem with my longest owned and most used machine. I have a Bernina Record 830 and have used it constantly (no sitting up...) for the past 25+ years. Lately I have a tension problem I can't seem to get to the bottom of. The top tension is tight, no matter what I do. The machine is kept oiled and the lint cleaned out. I have cleaned real well between and around the tension disc plates. I changed the needle. I have the bobbin set kind of tight to help pull the top thread down, and the top tension is set way too loose, but still I get tight top tension. There just isn't all that much to the top tension and threading and still I can't get it to have an acceptable tension! Any ideas? Could the tension discs be bent if the machine has not undergone any trauma and been used continually for this long? I know this machine like the back of my hand-- it's been my main workhorse-- but I can't figure this out.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Have you checked your bottom tension? I know a lot of "top" tension problems are actually the bottom tension. I don't know anything about a Bernina, does it have a removable bobbin case?
If so, when the bobbin is inserted into the case and threaded, you should be able to pick up the assembly by the thread. A slight shake should make the assembly "fall" a few inches into your palm. If you can't pick the whole thing up by the thread, turn the adjustment screw a quarter turn to the right to tighten and try it again. If you CAN pick it up by the thread, but can't give a light shake and make it fall to your palm, turn the adjustment screw a quarter turn to the left.
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Old 09-25-2011, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by sew wishful
I found one of the new Singer Featherweight machines at a local GW! Plugged it in and the motor ran and the needle went up and down. Brought it home and played a bit on it and it seems to run well. I think I will put it away for a granddaughter, eventually, but just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on these machines. I know...they are plastic (I'm unable to take it apart....no screws, so it must be a throw away machine) but that's all I know about it. Certainly not the Featherweight from 1954 I have upstairs!! LOL!
It sounds like a plastic wonder, but if it works okay that's great.
My step-grandd loves sewing with her Janome Jem Gold 2, she thinks its a good machine. She does like the Singer 99K hand crank that she learned to sew on too; her younger sister sews with the 99K now.
Sharon W.
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Old 09-25-2011, 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Charlee
Originally Posted by sewbizgirl
Hi Everybody. I am having a problem with my longest owned and most used machine. I have a Bernina Record 830 and have used it constantly (no sitting up...) for the past 25+ years. Lately I have a tension problem I can't seem to get to the bottom of. The top tension is tight, no matter what I do. The machine is kept oiled and the lint cleaned out. I have cleaned real well between and around the tension disc plates. I changed the needle. I have the bobbin set kind of tight to help pull the top thread down, and the top tension is set way too loose, but still I get tight top tension. There just isn't all that much to the top tension and threading and still I can't get it to have an acceptable tension! Any ideas? Could the tension discs be bent if the machine has not undergone any trauma and been used continually for this long? I know this machine like the back of my hand-- it's been my main workhorse-- but I can't figure this out.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Have you checked your bottom tension? I know a lot of "top" tension problems are actually the bottom tension. I don't know anything about a Bernina, does it have a removable bobbin case?
If so, when the bobbin is inserted into the case and threaded, you should be able to pick up the assembly by the thread. A slight shake should make the assembly "fall" a few inches into your palm. If you can't pick the whole thing up by the thread, turn the adjustment screw a quarter turn to the right to tighten and try it again. If you CAN pick it up by the thread, but can't give a light shake and make it fall to your palm, turn the adjustment screw a quarter turn to the left.
Yes Charlee, thanks, that is how I check bobbin tension-- the same gentle shake you described. From there I played with going a little tighter to help bring the top thread down. Didn't work. I'm at my wits' end with this thing.
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Old 09-25-2011, 08:02 PM
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Ok then! That's the limit of my expertise!! :lol: ;)

I'll be watching for an answer tho...if you've already torn the tensioner apart and put it back together I don't know what to tell you to do!
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Old 09-25-2011, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Charlee
Ok then! That's the limit of my expertise!! :lol: ;)

I'll be watching for an answer tho...if you've already torn the tensioner apart and put it back together I don't know what to tell you to do!
I may have to take it in to a shop... tho I don't really have anybody locally that I trust to know more than I do.
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Old 09-26-2011, 01:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Mitch's mom
Originally Posted by Candace
This is a machine I've been wanting, though the drive would be long for me:< I wonder what kind of elbow grease would be needed?:>
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hsh/2605306465.html
:shock: This is one for the CL Sewing Machine Shop of horrors!
Sob and I have it's twin...

I'm betting the bobbin area gears are broken or crudded up. Fixed up, those are a wonderful machine. Don't even try to turn the hand wheel until it has been cleaned way down under the bobbin - actually anywhere... Nice cabinet too.
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Old 09-26-2011, 01:42 AM
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Originally Posted by purplefiend
Originally Posted by Candace
This is a machine I've been wanting, though the drive would be long for me:< I wonder what kind of elbow grease would be needed?:>
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hsh/2605306465.html
I wonder how it managed to get paint all over it? :-(
better than bird poop...
DD who was going to take it to be repaired managed that.
I have the Elna back though. I can't seem to work my nerve up to do all she needs. I have a service manual but I don't have all the tools. I found another Elna cheap that does work. The disaster is now just a back up for parts. so sad. so embarrassing what a shame.

The paint may just come off with your fingernail. The one I bought to replace the disaster did. Green paint everywhere - still some on the cord. It was why it was cheap. It works like a champ. The disks could cost a pile of money - I truly love mine. The accessories are low shank. Bobbins cost a fortune. They are domed on one side and flat on the other with holes - be sure to use them - she will be happier. I would give $60 actually if it has all the parts but start at $10... I paid $30 (asking price) for mine. I was walking on air.
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Old 09-26-2011, 01:50 AM
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Originally Posted by sewbizgirl
Hi Everybody. I am having a problem with my longest owned and most used machine. I have a Bernina Record 830 and have used it constantly (no sitting up...) for the past 25+ years. Lately I have a tension problem I can't seem to get to the bottom of. The top tension is tight, no matter what I do. The machine is kept oiled and the lint cleaned out. I have cleaned real well between and around the tension disc plates. I changed the needle. I have the bobbin set kind of tight to help pull the top thread down, and the top tension is set way too loose, but still I get tight top tension. There just isn't all that much to the top tension and threading and still I can't get it to have an acceptable tension! Any ideas? Could the tension discs be bent if the machine has not undergone any trauma and been used continually for this long? I know this machine like the back of my hand-- it's been my main workhorse-- but I can't figure this out.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I ssssoooooo hope you haven't been praying for patience. Pray for wisdom.

Does the manual show how to dis-assemble the tension to clean it? Try running some heavy thread through it like you are flossing it and see if you get any gunk out of it. I somehow got my Consew walking foot tension gunked up and thread kept breaking - nightmare until I cleaned it. There is a 30 Something Bernina Yahoo group maybe they could help. I don't know if you can get a service manual for that machine. There are times when I think the mystery man at the shop who knows all can best take care of it... just be sure of your shop. I know some shops specialize.

You didn't mention whether or not you took apart the bobbin shuttle. The Bernina is an easy one to do and I know that IS in your owner's manual. I can do it but not from here... I have to tell you a story about one though... I was at a someone's house. Anyway, the lady wanted to show off her Bernina. At that time I had never seen one. So I started looking around and got down there to the bobbin area and I saw lint. So I pulled bobbin out and then pulled the shuttle apart and cleared out all that lint. That lady drew a real deep breath and didn't let it out until I fumbled it back together. Then she hugged me and was real happy. I heard back later that it ran better. She'd had it for years and never opened it up. So I showed her in her manual how to do it.

Some times it helps to stop and take a break. Then go back and look at it again. There are some videos on Utube on adjusting tension - don't know if they have yours.
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Old 09-26-2011, 04:14 AM
  #24290  
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Originally Posted by sew wishful
I found one of the new Singer Featherweight machines at a local GW! Plugged it in and the motor ran and the needle went up and down. Brought it home and played a bit on it and it seems to run well. I think I will put it away for a granddaughter, eventually, but just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on these machines. I know...they are plastic (I'm unable to take it apart....no screws, so it must be a throw away machine) but that's all I know about it. Certainly not the Featherweight from 1954 I have upstairs!! LOL!
I don't know about not being able to take it apart. I think mine can be. I have/had one. It is with my DD currently. It works well, and can be used for a lot of things. For heavy use, this is NOT the machine you want. But it has been handy for her mending, and for a backup machine when my go to machine was down - before I started gathering my 'herd' of vintage machines. :lol: When I deliver the centennial FW promised to DD, she may give up the little one, may not. She does tell me the plastic one won't go through the layers to hem her DH's pants.
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