Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Bobbin case on older Singer 66

Earlier this week I posted a link on the Yahoo group WEFIXIT  to my blog post about how to remove the bobbin case on my Singer 66-16.  Bill Holman, a very knowledgeable and well respected OSMG, commented that folks with older Singer 66s would not be able to remove the bobbin case or position bracket based on those directions.

So tonight I photographed the bobbin case and position bracket  on Irene, my Singer 66 Red Head.  Here is how that bobbin case comes out.

You can see that the "finger" on this bracket  is much heftier than the one on the 66-16 and is not flexible at all.  See the screw in front of the feed dog?

You have to remove that to remove the position bracket to get out the bobbin case  on these older Singer 66s.

 There was a comment made, on the WEFIXIT , that it is not necessary to remove the feed dogs (cats) to remove the bobbin case.   I can see that is true from this photo.  Still it might make it easier, especially if the dogs (cats) are packed with lint or the bobbin case is particularly dirty. ( I don't think that is really rust on that screw, I think it is just dried oil...  oh the truth comes out with digital photography.)

Another thing to notice in this photo is the oil wick.  It is that piece of red felt that looks like lint.  I oil that with every bobbin change.  I use Tri Flow and I just confirmed (again on WFI) that this is an appropriate lubricant.

The screw driver I am using is authentic Vintage Singer, I believe.  It is authentic Vintage, for sure.  It came with one of my authentic Vintage machines and I see them for sale on eBay.  I am lucky that I have several that came "free" with my old machines.

Working on sewing machines makes me happy.  Sewing on this treadle makes me happy.  I wish my day job made me this happy. 

19 comments:

  1. Thanks for the info, and I agree; wish I could just work with and on old SMs. Kim

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  2. Thank you. The instructions I'm reading indicate I have to remove the feed dogs...I'm hoping to avoid it. I have three 66 machines - a 1923 handcrank, a 1930 treadle, and a "I forgot what year it is" electric. The bobbin area in each one is a little bit different.

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  3. I removed the oil wick from a 66-16, not realizing what it was...how do I get it back in?

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    1. I don't know. Whenever I find one without a wick, I stuff some spool felt in there.

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  4. Ok I got it all out, now how do I get it back in ha ha! I may be up all night...

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  5. Ok I figured it out! Thank heaven you took photos, cuz I didn't. That'll learn me ;)

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  6. Thank you SO much for these photos and info. Between another blogger and you, I have given new life to my Mother's (RIP) 1916 Singer 66. :)

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  7. OK I made a huge mistake and pulled that red felt out along with came the spring with it.......what can I do now

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    1. Not to worry. That felt was an oil wick. lean and oil the bobbin case before each use and you should be fine. Be sure to run the machine UNTHREADED after ONE drop of oil into the bobbin case. NO bobbin obviously. Then run the machine threaded with bobbin in place on a scrap piece of fabric to remove the excess oil. You will be fine

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  8. Contact the suppliers listed on the Resources page. Good luck

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  9. Doesn't that screw control the bobbin tension too? If so, how do I fix the bobbin tension?
    I have some Singer motor lubricant as well as sewing machine oil. Can I use one of those on the oil wick?

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    1. No The tension is controlled via a tiny screw on the side of the bobbin case. Note where you pass the thread through the bobbin case. There is a slot and a metal "spring" (doesn't look like a coiled spring) Two tiny screws are found in the spring. One holding the spring to the bobbin case and the other passing through the spring into the body of the bobbin case. Don't adjust the screw holding this spring on the bobbin case. Adjust the other one, in small increments, to change the tension on the thread. I think it will make sense when you look at your bobbin case.
      Another idea, look on line for a manual for a Singer 66. I am pretty sure you will find one.

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  10. Many, many thanks for showing this short fingered machine AND letting us know that we can and must loosen the one screw on the arm! (Model 66-1' July 1919, not yet 100 years old and I am loving the thing.). You are wonderful for posting this. By the way, my Singer 66 manual shows 2 screws on the arm, with the instructions not to touch the little screw.

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  11. A million thanks for publishing this, you are wonderful. My Model 66 manual shows 2 screws, with the admonition not to touch the smaller one, but it also shows a longer finger. So, I am the recent owner of a 66-1, short-fingered, Red Eye, 1919 not quite 100 years old treadle, soon to have the bobbin case out AND cleaned. Hmm, maybe I will name this one Elizabeth.

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  12. I just got a 1911 red eye 66 yesterday and it is semi bad shape. I am trying to clean it up first. I ordered a new belt because it was in about six pieces. I took the bobbin casing out but it is still pretty nasty under there. should I take the whole encasing out from the bottom? And mine has a spring but not any red felt piece.

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  13. To those that are wondering how to replace the oil wick; use wool felt, not the cheap synthetic felt from the dollar store. You can get good wool felt at most quilt shops, or embroidery department of sewing stores. Why wool? It holds the oil and lasts a long time. One piece of wool felt will last you a lifetime. lol Cut a small piece of wool about 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch. Start to roll it up as tightly as you can and then start working one end of the wool until it becomes more pointed. This may take you a couple of times to get it tight. Now take the point and insert it into the spring and begin twisting the wool in a clockwise fashion. You will notice that it 'screws' itself into the spring. Keep twisting it until the spring is filled. At this point you will have a lot sticking out and obviously this is too long but hold on. I install it in the bobbin case as it should be and now you can see how much you need to trim off. I have a small pair of very sharp scissors that I use to cut off the excess so that it barely brushes the hook as it comes around. Now put 3-4 drops of oil on the wick and it will draw up the oil into the felt inside the spring. Observe how it brushes the hook when it moves and if you feel it is too long still, just trim a bit more. I hope this helps.

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