Good news everyone, the FW is fixed!
Turns out it was the timing and the thread take up spring! I feel good about the fact that I knew what was wrong with it before taking it in, but wish very much that I could have done the repairs myself. Here's hoping there isn't a 'next time' but if there is I want to be the one to bring her back to perfection. I plan to invest in the Singer Featherweight Service Manual in the future and I also pledge to take excellent care of her and oil/lube/clean regularly.
I am picking her up Monday at 9am sharp!
Showing posts with label featherweight timing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label featherweight timing. Show all posts
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Trouble in Featherweight Land
:::Sigh:::
It seems that perhaps I psyched myself up a bit too much over the new Featherweight. I noticed right away that the tension was off, so I proceeded to spend 8+ hours attempting to fix it (I'm still not so sure it's fixed) and it is skipping stitches. Yes, I got a new needle (Schmetz 80), and yes it is threaded and installed correctly. Now, as far as I can tell there are 2 reasons that this could be happening.
1. The timing is off. Shudder...
2. The Thread Take up Spring needs replacing (or possibly the entire tension assembly). I say this because the thread take up spring seems to be loose (more so than my mother-in-laws FW) and the last thread guide before the needle keeps unthreading right before the stitch skips. This could also account for the tension issues.
I am at the end of my Featherweight knowledge and therefor have decided to take her to the Singer Sewing Store for an estimate on repairs. Which is free.
I am hoping it will be a simple replacement/repair because I really don't want to return the machine. Luckily the person I bought it from has been very communicative and helpful and has offered to refund the cost of reasonable repairs.
I am trying not to let this get me down (I definitely shed some tears over it yesterday) because even though having it arrive and work spectacularly would have been...well, amazing...this experience will be a learning one (as I intend to hover over the repair man so I can find out exactly what he/she is doing) and I also intend to apply for a job at the Singer Store (explaining my love of vintage singers and the desire to not only become a better seamstress but to learn how to service both old and new machines seems like a good pitch for a potential employee).
I will report my findings...now, to google Featherweight timing.
It seems that perhaps I psyched myself up a bit too much over the new Featherweight. I noticed right away that the tension was off, so I proceeded to spend 8+ hours attempting to fix it (I'm still not so sure it's fixed) and it is skipping stitches. Yes, I got a new needle (Schmetz 80), and yes it is threaded and installed correctly. Now, as far as I can tell there are 2 reasons that this could be happening.
1. The timing is off. Shudder...
2. The Thread Take up Spring needs replacing (or possibly the entire tension assembly). I say this because the thread take up spring seems to be loose (more so than my mother-in-laws FW) and the last thread guide before the needle keeps unthreading right before the stitch skips. This could also account for the tension issues.
I am at the end of my Featherweight knowledge and therefor have decided to take her to the Singer Sewing Store for an estimate on repairs. Which is free.
I am hoping it will be a simple replacement/repair because I really don't want to return the machine. Luckily the person I bought it from has been very communicative and helpful and has offered to refund the cost of reasonable repairs.
I am trying not to let this get me down (I definitely shed some tears over it yesterday) because even though having it arrive and work spectacularly would have been...well, amazing...this experience will be a learning one (as I intend to hover over the repair man so I can find out exactly what he/she is doing) and I also intend to apply for a job at the Singer Store (explaining my love of vintage singers and the desire to not only become a better seamstress but to learn how to service both old and new machines seems like a good pitch for a potential employee).
I will report my findings...now, to google Featherweight timing.
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