What a perfect arrangement for me. Company while I play in the loft, all in the pretense of teaching her to sew. H. knows how to use her machine. She just needs guidance, which I provided. Just the same, I think I was mostly there to provide support and encouragement.
She was having trouble, admittedly, with the fabric feeding poorly. She would have to fight to keep the fabric straight. I took a look and agreed. I tried out her machine and it would feed the fabric all screwy. So I screwed on a different foot. Fixed. Her Brother came with one of those snap on feet. It felt flimsy to me. I put on a simple, hinged, low shank, zz foot. It worked quite nicely.
While she sewed, I put the White 130 in the green treadle stand. At least I tried to. It didn't really fit. You can see where the machine has extra stuff under the bed.
I got out a hack saw (because that is the only small saw I own) and hacked off some of the treadle stand to accommodate the machine's shape. It was pretty easy to do and I am sure that the other machines will still fit. I had no qualms about whacking away part of this 100 + year old stand.
So, what's my verdict on this machine? I don't believe that there are any plastic parts. I looked under the "hood."
I did see something that alarmed me; a part that looks broken. It works, so I reckon it ain't broke and I am not going to fix it ! The stitch width lever is locked into place by turning the knob to which this piece is attached. Seems fine. I am happy and now I have a new favorite machine. I have not tested the satin stitch. No satin stitch foot. Soon. I promise.
A hacksaw now in your sewing machine tool routine? Pretty clasy looking thread catcher. I hope the 201 makes it back in the stand.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you mentioned that thread catcher. I love it. So much. It actually deserves its own post.
Deletelol - the hacksaw made it all fit together! I have so many tools and bits and pieces I'm inspired to get together thanks to this blog!!
ReplyDeleteThe Green theme of the machine, stand and thread catcher looks so inviting at the window. What a nice place to sew!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you mention the White as I'm working on my White 263 (aqua colored and straight stitch). It's in "like new" condition and I can't get to run quite right. I've tried everything and it still hesitates on startup and won't stitch slowly but will run well if I help it. It feels like there is resistance when I turn the hand wheel but I can't find anything that looks bent or broken or even dirty. I'm tearing my hair out troubleshooting it. If I turn the clutch to bobbin winding mode it runs like a champ and spins freely. I'm ready to throw it out in the woods. Blerg!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note I think I will make one of those thread catchers. It's so cute and snazzy!
Don't throw in the proverbial towel yet. What does the motor do with no load on it; i.e. in BW mode? Is the belt too tight? Can you test the motor alone with no belt? How does the hand wheel feel when the motor is not connected?
DeleteEverything feels great while in BW mode and the motor zips like a race car with or without the belt. I took the motor completely apart to check and make sure nothing was amiss and it's pristine and basically new. The only thing I could think of was that maybe the bushing on the long horizontal drive shaft is somehow bent slightly causing the long drive shaft to drag. But that really wouldn't make sense bc then the handwheel would be sluggish in BW mode too and it's def not. I adjusted the belt like I would on my Featherweight but also tried it a little looser and tighter just for giggles. I even took the motor pulley off and replaced it with a different one from my White 764 (worlds fair model) to see if the pulley was the culprit and it STILLdidnt work. I also took the needle bar and the little arm that connects it to the big round metal blob that connects to the horizontal drive shaft off to check to rust/gunk/thread and still nada. I tried taking the hand wheel and belt off and just put back the clutch washer and knob back on. There is still resistance so I know the handwheel is fine. Maybe there is some crazy kind of thread lock behind the bushing where the drive shaft enters the machine (at the very far right oil point)?
ReplyDeleteI'm at a total loss. Utterly hopeless! I have never encountered a problem that I couldn't at least identify.
Zydeco and sewing, I love it. I'd probably sew so fast I'd sew my fingers together, though! Going to check out your thread catcher. :D
ReplyDeleteReally loving this green thing going on with the treadle stand and the green white machine.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Green is my thing.
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