sewing machine troubleshooting

yorkiepud_2

pandora205 wrote: »

Oh good a sewing machine problem thread - just what I need!

I have a Toyota machine (RS2000 Series) that I haven't used for a while but it's always worked well. Today the motor sounds but nothing is moving - not the bobbin winder nor the needle. I can't see any obvious cause and it threaded up fine.

Is there anything simple I can do/check or do a need a professional please?

Thanks

My toyota is somewhat older than yours but have you tried turning the needle manually by using the wheel on the right hand side. it will give you a better idea of where the problem lies - sometimes with mine it seems to 'disconnect' itself (can't think of a different word - the wheel you unscrew to stop the needle moving when you wind the bobbin - sometimes it loosens all by itself).
if you can't move the needle by turning the wheel then it indicates that it may gunged up inside. a good clean out and a bit of oil might be all that it needs.

yorkiepud_2

unixgirluk wrote: »

anyone good with a singer sewing machine? I got a new singer and even with the tension set to minimum my top thread keeps snapping. Any ideas? Its working fine with other thread but not my black thread (all different makes)

Buy more black thread in the same make as you know already works. some threads snap far more easily than others - it depends on the stuff used to make it and how long you've had it and where its been stored. if thread with a high cotton content gets damp it will start to rot and though it still looks fine it won't have any strength in it.

pandora205

Thanks Yorkiepud. I loosened everything, put a few dabs of oil on the moving parts then tightened again and that seemed to do the trick although it's not running very smoothly. I'll see what it's like next time but may put it in for a service (though if it costs something horrendous it might be sensible to get a new machine as this is a pretty basic one).

JillS_2

Are you certain that you have it threaded up absolutely correctly. Please don't think I'm insulting you but I had this problem once because I thought I knew from previous experience how a machine was threaded and when I finally looked at the care booklet discovered that my particular machine was threaded slightly differently.

Callie22

Just saw this thread and I wondered if I could ask a quick question. I've recently been given an old New Home sewing machine - at a guess I'd say it dates from the early 70s. Are these any good, and is it worth getting it serviced to get it back up to scratch? Also, how much should I be looking at for a sewing machine service? I *think* it all works ok but I'm guessing that it needs a service to get it back into perfect working order.

yorkiepud_2

Callie22 wrote: »

Just saw this thread and I wondered if I could ask a quick question. I've recently been given an old New Home sewing machine - at a guess I'd say it dates from the early 70s. Are these any good, and is it worth getting it serviced to get it back up to scratch? Also, how much should I be looking at for a sewing machine service? I *think* it all works ok but I'm guessing that it needs a service to get it back into perfect working order.

tbh I've never had a machine serviced and I do also have an old Singer from the sixties. If you look carefully you'll see where you can take it apart to see the inner workings - a paintbrush can be used to pick the fluff out and then give it a couple of squirts with oil. (sew backwards and forwards on a scrap of material for a while after to make sure any excess oil works its way out). It might be worth getting new needles though. I've used many makes of machine and there doesn't seem to be much difference at all, unless you want them that do embroidery etc. As long as the motor runs fine and you're happy with what it does then IMHO its not worth buying a newer machine.
hth

SpikyHedgehog

Mother in law gave me her old Pfaff synchromatic 1209 machine & I gave it a jolly good clean up & have got it working. I'm currently trying to add fleece lining to DS2's bedroom curtains to help keep warm in winter.

Well, it was my own fault, I know to keep the pins out of the way but just missed pulling this one out of the way of the needle - so of course the needle broke.

I got the spare out of the drawer & turned the appropriate page in the manual, and followed the directions to change the needle.

But the new needle won't stay in! Does anyone have suggestions of why or how to fix it?

I do have a sewing shop in town where I believe they do services on sewing machines, so there is that option... Dunno how much they're likely to charge though.

hardpressed

Is the needles in the right way round, they usually have a back and front.

rosalie-lavender

hardpressed wrote: »

Is the needles in the right way round, they usually have a back and front.

I agree with this, also is it definitely the correct needle? My older overlocker uses industrial sewing machine needles.

The only other thing I can think of is that you may need to loosen the screw that holds the needle in more than you already have and push the needle further up.

SpikyHedgehog

Its definitely in the right way round, but I was assuming it was the right needle... Will go to the shop & ask for the ones stated in the manual.

I ended taking the screw right out & having DS1 hold the needle up as far as it would go while I tightened the screw!

Thank you, Hard pressed and Rosalie-Lavendar, some things to think about!