Just killed the wifes sewing machine

**Hegone** · 02-24-2013, 15:36

Got my wife to get her old Kenmore sewing machine out and show me how to do some simple sewing. Started getting into learning to do some simple straight stitches and had even made it to the fabric center for some new needles. When we got back the machine felt as if something was binding. Not sure what we have done. The machine was sewing great up until now. I guess I will dropping the machine off for some maintnenance this week. I can sense that this DIY sewing thing could be quite addictive much like the alcohol stove thing I did for a while. I stiil enjoy messing around with the alcohol stoves. Not sure how much the maintenance will cost. I am hopeful it is something not too complicated.

**Brute1100** · 02-24-2013, 15:42

A sewing machine is like anything other complicated machine... It needs a little TLC every once in a while... Im sure its something simple...

**gmcttr** · 02-24-2013, 16:54

Start here before taking it in for service...

If the hand wheel turns all the way around, clean and oil the machine per the owners manual with sewing machine oil. NOT 3-in-1 or WD-40. This is a regular maintenance item that is frequently overlooked.

If you can't turn the hand wheel all the way around, check the bobbin area for any thread tangled up.

**Hegone** · 02-24-2013, 17:53

Thanks for the information. I did look for some trapped thread and found a tiny piece and removed it. I will have to hunt down the elusive owners manual. Hope to get it going. I hate to admit it but I actually am looking forward to attempt making some gear.

**Bubba** · 02-24-2013, 20:30

Hope the repairs are minor. I'm afraid to get a machine for fear of catching the DIY bug. It'll probably happen eventually, I'm just delaying the inevitable.

**BIG JEFF** · 02-24-2013, 20:37

Be very careful! !!! Making gear is addictive. But repairing sewing machines is an addiction.
JEFF

**Big Bacon** · 02-24-2013, 21:17

Well before i started using a machine i found it so much easier to use the old hand meathod. i could sew anything together. but i have always loved thread injectors and have quiet a collection of cast iron singers, like the one Caveman uses. total i think 10 in all. than there is the monster machine Dad aquired while he was in the Navy. It will sew anything together. but silnylon. The Monster has an oil pan that hold three quarts of oil to keep it running. HF will force you as it has me become an avid thread injector. bewarnd.

**Jtupnsmoke** · 02-24-2013, 21:58

Originally Posted by gmcttr

Start here before taking it in for service...

If you can't turn the hand wheel all the way around, check the bobbin area for any thread tangled up.

+1 on this. Mine would only turn by hand about 2/3 before binding. The bobbin shifted and the needle was crashing into it. This happens every so often on my Shark

**FBG** · 02-25-2013, 06:29

Originally Posted by Hegone

Thanks for the information. I did look for some trapped thread and found a tiny piece and removed it. I will have to hunt down the elusive owners manual. Hope to get it going. I hate to admit it but I actually am looking forward to attempt making some gear.

If you can't find the owners manual you can often times find a digital version online or even pick one up on ebay. Google is your friend!

Good luck!

**nothermark** · 02-25-2013, 07:18

It occurs to me to think about your own machine. Singer, and others, started using plastic gears in some models as early as the late 1960's. If you look around you can find older all metal machines fairly low in cost. Some also have a lot of information on the internet. It's worth doing a bit of homework as those early machines were expected to sew anything around the farm. The "drawback" is that you will probably not be doing zig zag or automatic buttonholes. ;-)