I took this photo on Saturday when I was trying to time a Taiwanese made White badged sewing machine.
I was having trouble seeing exactly where the hook was in relation to the needle. So I photographed it figuring I could enlarge the photo and see if it was where it needed to be.
This machine is not one of the more desirable machines, but Betsy and I worked on it for HOURS and still could not get it to pick up the thread. We figured it was the timing and so we looked for the set screws that would relase the hook so we could set the timing.
We thought these two set screws were the ones
But nothing much happened to the hook when we loosened these screws. It certainly did not move easily, as the hook on the 66 does when its set screw is loosened. Finally I convinced Betsy to let me bring it home and play with it. It did not take much convincing. I think she was ready to ditch the whole machine.
I brought it home and played with it. And I totally messed it up. It is not a bad looking machine. It is light weight though the bobbin gears are metal.
Turns out ( no pun intended ) that these two set screws are the ones that release the hook. Why they put those in there with those greasy gears, but I do believe thems the ones.
So I tried and tried. I turned more screws and schmutzed up more adjustments on this machine than you can ever imagine. I could not center the needle without making the right sided zag go onto the needle plate. So I finally concluded that maybe it is a left homing needle and left it at that. But not before I stripped a screw (I really don't know how that happened. but it won't tighten down now.) For details on how I schmutzed this up, check back later. I still have not given up. But I do believe that since I am turning 59 in less than a month, time is getting short for me. I'd best not be spending DAYS on this machine. I have too many others to work on that have real value. Such as 2 Singer 201s that I know I can get running again. Several 15-91s that merely need cleaning. A couple of 101s that I should just get running and cleaned up because, well, after all they are 101s. Two featherweights that need servicing and loving. Sewing to do, a treadle top to make so that I can demonstrate treadling at the farmer's market on 2.18.12 . One more dog to groom OH and the day job...
I did have business cards made up. But I am thinking that maybe I have no business trying to do this. Maybe it should just be a hobby and fodder for the blog. But I love it and it is fun and I have been able to fix some machines for folks. Maybe I should learn from this experience. Put the tools away.
