Beat The Clock

Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

I broke the sewing machine. The leather I'm trying to use is very thick and after my wife had enough and went to bed I decided to give it a try. Went well on a scrap piece but on the seat it didn't want to pierce all the layers. I kept trying to force it and now the needle won't pick up the bobbin. Go! ....HHHHHHHHELP. I may have the bobbing threaded wrong ??? but it its acting like it is out of synch. I need to have my wife check it in the morning. The good thing is I didn't hurt the seat!
I'll post a couple of photos in a moment.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

Cut all the pieces out and went to town to pick up a some leathr needles and thread for leather. Found a web site with tips on sewing leather and along with the help of go! set the machine up. Here is the web site : http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/Leather/SewingLea.htm

Started sewing. Got the top done and I think it's flawless. When we tried to do the side the machine would get hung up at every overlap. Like I said before, I might have broke the machine so everything is on hold at the moment

Wifey sewing the top
DSC_2234.jpg





Completed top. Side is not completely attached
DSC_2236.jpg
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

Oh man... Hell of a start at least. Thats a bummer about the machine man.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

hey, you shoulda called!

what is the bottom stitch looking like? all bunched up?
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

I'm not sure what the bottom thread looked like there at last. I'll have to check. Anyway, It worked decent at first but then when it hit the tripple layers it wouldn't pierce the material. Then the machine acted like it was out of time?? The needle was hitting something and when I forced it by hand the needle broke. I put in a new needle and it seemed like it was going to work but now it won't pick up the bobbin thread??
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

first rethread the whole machine. that is a good fix for a lot of problems.. the first thing i try every time the machine does something funky.

ribbing can be done on a single piece of material rather than strips sewn. usually it's done by putting batting on the back of the leather, then stitching across the seat. that's what gives it the ribbed look. three layers of leather is a lot for that machine to handle. when you get to the triple-layer areas, try using the knob on the side of the machine to manually stitch those sections. it won't strain the machine like it does when you're pushing the pedal, trying to get over those thick sections.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

Sounds like good advice. I did rethread the top end and she said the it was right. I tried to do the bobbing but I'm not sure if I got it. She had already gone to bed. I'll have her to check it tomorrow. If she can get it going though I'll try the manual trick in the thick areas. I'll also look for some batting. Thanks
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

A search turned this up: (I'm afraid I might be right)

This description sounds like the machine is out of time. The needle should match up with a cut out section in the bottom of the bobbin area. If it is hitting, the timing has slipped, probably from sewing on a fabric that was too heavy for the machine.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

oops.. i hadn't seen this part

troybilt said:
I'm not sure what the bottom thread looked like there at last. I'll have to check. Anyway, It worked decent at first but then when it hit the tripple layers it wouldn't pierce the material. Then the machine acted like it was out of time?? The needle was hitting something and when I forced it by hand the needle broke. I put in a new needle and it seemed like it was going to work but now it won't pick up the bobbin thread??

want me to run you through the steps to fix it?
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

It sounds like the bobbin isn't threaded right to me....hmm.

And no, Gretta is not getting a skateboard seat.

But on BTC.......DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

That leather is looking so good!
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

lets diagnose this problem!

is the tip of the needle level with the needle plate at the same time the feed dogs are (nearly) level with the plate?
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

Hey Troy thanks for the quick response. I will start a build thread with pics this weekend.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

go! said:
oops.. i hadn't seen this part

want me to run you through the steps to fix it?
If you don't mind I'd really appreaciate it.

Kanticoy said:
It sounds like the bobbin isn't threaded right to me....hmm.

And no, Gretta is not getting a skateboard seat.

But on BTC.......DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

That leather is looking so good!

As always thanks Kanticoy


go! said:
lets diagnose this problem!

is the tip of the needle level with the needle plate at the same time the feed dogs are (nearly) level with the plate?

Feed Dogs ??? I'm not sure but when the needle enters the hole it hits something and jumps to the right. It feels like what ever it is hitting must be rotating. The more the needle penetrates the further it moves to the side. The machine was purchase at a shop where they fix them as well. It has a 3 year 100% warranty. I don't want to do any thing to void it. But if I can fix it myself might give me points with the better half. ;D

DG65 said:
Hey Troy thanks for the quick response. I will start a build thread with pics this weekend.
You bet. Good luck and I'll be checking it out
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

alright, first make sure the bobbin is right. that's still potentially the problem.

feed dogs
301_Black_Feed_Dogs.JPG


rotate the handwheel until the tip of the needle is level with the needle plate. are the feed dogs also be level with the needle plate (or slightly below it)?

can you see what the needle is hitting?
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

I know GO is the resident expert on this deal ( i have never even heard the term dogs) but when i use the machine to sew up seats i get leather needled and run the machine at a low rpm, seems to work out well... besides whenever i get caught up my dad has been making seats for years.... nice to have somene like GO on here to help us out when we try our hand at it
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

JRK5892 said:
I know GO is the resident expert on this deal ( i have never even heard the term dogs) but when i use the machine to sew up seats i get leather needled and run the machine at a low rpm, seems to work out well... besides whenever i get caught up my dad has been making seats for years.... nice to have somene like GO on here to help us out when we try our hand at it
That's how we were doing it too until it got f up. Your lucky to have your ole man. I agree about go! I'm Glad to have her around!

go!:
Nice photo...feed dogs are well above the needle plate while the needle is at the top ready to enter. They don't begin to receed until the needle is about half way past the needle plate (i'd guess half way thgrough its cycle). it then hits and gets caught by something that is rotating around the bobbin.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

On another note we have a Morse 200, purchased in 1957 for $169.50 (That would be $1,235.27 in todays dollars I'm told) and it looks brand new. I wonder if it would sew it?? it jsut needs a belt, but man it is silky smooth.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

okie dokie! sounds like your needle is hitting the bobbin case.
in the upper left side of the machine there should be a little door, or plate of some sort. open that door/plate and you'll see the needle bar. the bar is held in place by a screw. loosen the screw and set the needle height either up or down without turning the bar.

now the hook (the part that the bobbin case is in)
remove the needle plate. turn the handwheel until the needle reaches the lowest point. start turning the wheel slowly, so the need comes up about 2.5mm. the point of the hook should now be behind the needle, and about 1.5mm from the eye of it.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

If the feed dogs are suposed to be at or below the needleplate as the needle enters? If these are well above does that mean that the machine is out of time?

Also, are you thinking that the needle is going too deep? The needle holder shaft is held in place by a large allen head set screw. Is there something to go by to check or adjust that height? I'm a little nervous to make a random adjustment to that.

oops...should have read the second paragraph...sorry. I try to dig in there and see what's going on.
 
Re: 360 beat the clock update 04/07/10

yeah, it would be a timing issue
timing1.gif
 
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