Out of Control AGAIN

I just had to have a 237.  When one came up on CL I called and asked the seller to save it for me.  No worries.  I was the only caller.  That explains why no one ever buys my machines I list on Craigs list

Steve went with me to fetch this.  It was an interesting transaction.  The seller wanted to meet at a public place .  I chose Starbucks.  Then I realized we would need an outlet to try the machine out.  I scouted out Starbucks when Steve and I arrived (and after I bought a coffee).  No outlets accessible.  

I phoned the seller to let him know we were at Starbucks and mentioned the lack of available outlets.  He still did not invite us over.  He suggested Brueger's Bagels.  So we walked across the parking lot and searched for electricity.  We found one outlet, but heck, now we had to buy something else.  Luckily we like bagels.  

There is something about fetching a sewing machine in a public place.   It is just plain odd.  I guess people are afraid to allow strangers in their homes.  Funny, the woman from whom I bought the 328 an hour previously was not worried at all.  She invited me in, we went to the garage, we chatted about wonderful old used things, especially sewing machines.  It was great.  

So at the Bagel shop I looked over this machine.  The case is in terrible shape and the machine almost fell out as the seller lugged it in.  I checked out the tension assembly.  The tension release plate/ tension indicator is plastic and can break.  It was broken.  Still I did not argue over the price.  Someone else may have.  I have this thing about promising to buy something and then dickering over the price.  I don't think its right.

But the tension indicator part (which in this machine doubles as the tension release plate) was not the only broken tension part.  The screw nut was also cracked.  

I have no idea if the machine will work like this or not.  I will do my best to find a replacement.  I went up to Ithaca last Wednesday for another repair class.  I worked on a 237 there with these same issues.  The teacher, Toby Benetti, just handed me new parts.  He's a professional, he has them on hand.   Had I known that I was going to get this machine then, I would have bought a couple of sets of these from him.  It is possible to buy a completely new tension assembly but why should I when all I need is the screw nut?  Maybe Toby will sell me one.  He sure was a nice guy at class.

UPDATE

In response to Rain's question/comment I tried a tension assembly from a 66 that I had kicking around.  The check spring on the 15-91 is totally different and I have no spare 201 tension assemblies.  The tension stud is shorter

So I kept the original and just used the metal tension release plate/+/- indicator and the numbered dial.  

It seems to work.  I did have some issues tweaking it and I think it needs more tweaking.  But I am happy with the stitch

Of course looking at it now, it isn't so pretty.  When I look at it in real time, it is.....