Sewing problem

**Bamaboy2132** · 05-24-2012, 15:24

I've been sewing in this machine a good bit. Even today. All of the sudden the feeder stopped feeding. Any sujestions. I thought it might need some oil but I don't see where to oil it. Thanks for any help.

**bayoubomber** · 05-24-2012, 15:32

Happened to me 2 days ago, now how's your bobin, is it still perfectly round? Mine was oblong and so had to get new ones (didnt know they ware out). Once I put in the new bobin everything went back to normal! Might be the problem?

**dragon360** · 05-24-2012, 15:33

What machine is it?

**Ramblinrev** · 05-24-2012, 15:34

It sounds to me like something other than a need for oiling. That should not cause a sudden stop. It might be something fairly simple or it could be more complex. So let's start simple.

Many machines have a mechanism to lower the feed dogs to allow the4 fabric to be moved around at will. This is used mostly for embroidery, or in the case of an older machine, to approximate darning. If you can locate that mechanism check and see if it has been tripped and the feed dogs have been lowered. If so... just reverse the setting. In older machines it is often a lever on the bed of the machine. Sometimes the identifying labels have been worn off. So you might have to guess. Particularly if you are doing wide widths of fabric liks in a flat felled seam the extra fabric can catch on that lever. Or you can hit it accidentally without being aware of it.

The worse situation is that some linkage broke or came loose. If the feed dog lever does not appear to be the problem that is where I would look next. There are some folks who are far better internet mechanics than I am... so I'll yield to their expertise.

**Bamaboy2132** · 05-24-2012, 15:38

Singer 4617.

Rev. The feeder will move some but will stop when there is pressure in it.

I have taken the bobbin out and it still will not work. I have also played with the stitch length and the tension.

**Ramblinrev** · 05-24-2012, 15:45

Originally Posted by Bamaboy2132

Singer 4617.

Rev. The feeder will move some but will stop when there is pressure in it.

I have taken the bobbin out and it still will not work. I have also played with the stitch length and the tension.

Sounds like a linkage problem to me. Sorry I can't be of more help in that regard. That's when I go to my local mechanic and make sure everything gets fixed right. If a linkage fails... there's a reason and if that reason don't get taken care of it can happen again.

**Bamaboy2132** · 05-24-2012, 15:46

It is reall sluggish without pressure on it. That is why I thought it may need oiling. I have the manual but I don't see anywhere about oiling

**Bamaboy2132** · 05-24-2012, 15:56

Found it. If you can tell, the teeth are broken off the gear.

I know you have not seen me sew anything but is this a result of the operator or just age?

**gmcttr** · 05-24-2012, 16:13

Probably age. I had to replace a plastic gear in an old singer I got from my Mom. I can guarantee that machine had never been abused.

Either take it to a local sewing machine repair shop or start your internet search for a parts diagram to figure out the correct gear.

**Bamaboy2132** · 05-24-2012, 17:48

I'm probably going to have to search. Not much for repair shops around hear. Maybe an hour away in Tuscaloosa. My granddad was telling me where one was there. This machine was my grandmothers. I too know it wasn't abused. I asked that question because I taught myself how to sew and thought maybe it could have been my technique.