One Thin Dime

When I was sewing on Wednesday I noticed that the stitch length would change if I put even the slightest drag on the fabric.  Adjusting the amount of pressure on the foot did nothing to change it.  I did change from the marked needle plate back to the standard one.  That helped some.  The marked needle plate is a bit thicker than the standard one so the feed dog height was compromised when using that plate.  It certainly did FEEL as if the feed dogs weren't high enough.  So I found my feed dog height gauge in the change jar.  Sure enough, they were too low.

Adjusting the feed dog height on the 201 is pretty straight forward.

 Turn the machine over so you can see its underside.  Identify the feed dog drop thumb screw.  Just above that is a screw.  Loosen it.  That will allow the whole feed dog mechanism to move up and down.   Using your feed dog height gauge, set the feed dogs to the proper height and then tighten the screw.  Easy Peasy.

 You say you don't have the feed dog height gauge?  Yes you do. In your change jar.  It 's a dime

Be careful not to move the whole mechanism left to right.  It looks as if these feed dogs might not be centered in the openings.  I will check on that tomorrow.  The fabric fed very nicely as I sewed tonight so it may not be a problem.

Why I love my compressor

 After I cleared the driveway, cleaned the dog pen and had lunch I was able to FINALLY get to the shop to play.  I have several Singer 201-2s that need work.  I dove in to this one because I think it won't need motor re-wiring.  I hope I hope.  I did buy it on speculation.  A friend of ours wants a 201 and if she hasn't found one of her own by the time I get this one serviced, I will ask if she wants it.

The serial number places it at 1948 but we all know that is when the serial numbers were assigned.  The date does not necessarily indicate it was made then.  But close.  So it is 64 or so years old. If you want to listen click the link:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCss0kZXeyE

So far the motor wiring looks good.  I am having a devil of a time getting the motor mount screws loosened, however.  So I turned to other tasks.  Such as the bobbin case and feed dogs.

The machine has been fairly well maintained.  It has the usual scratches on the bed, that is to be expected.  The feed dogs were a bit packed with lint. 

But I have seen much worse.  Come to think of it, the White Model 130 that I just serviced last week had truly trashy feed dogs.

No problem.  I plugged in the compressor and blasted away.  I did remove the dogs, the position bracket and the bobbin case to get it this clean.  But the compressor blew away the lint.  What fun.

 Maybe you will be able to see the difference between these two photos.  Maybe not.  But I blasted the dust away with the compressor.  It sure makes for a quick job.

I discovered that the screws to the shuttle gear cover are much more accessible with the machine in this position.  I popped that puppy right off and discovered, oh horror, dry gears.

The back ones were just as bad

Now, just a bit wet with Tri -Flow grease.

I don't know about you, but that just makes me feel so much better.


The hook was pretty dirty with dust, lint and thread bits. I swabbed it out with denatured alcohol being very careful not to get any on the bed of the machine.  I like denatured alcohol the best for cleaning out the hook.  It just gets it so clean.  Then I apply some Tri-Flow and put it all back together.

The action is much better now.  I still have to get the motor off and service the needle bar, presser foot bar and the top gears.  I don't think I will need to rewire the motor.  Though, it might not hurt.  After all, it is almost 64.  Hmmmm.  Probably should.  But then does that mean I should also rewire the light?  Hmmmmm.  Gotta think that one through.  I wonder if Rain  http://vssmb.blogspot.com/ ever re-wires lights?  I wonder if I could talk him into doing a tutorial?  Hmmmmmm  I wonder if he is still blogging?  Hmmmmm