The Sewing Place

Balance Wheel Jammed

BrendaP

Balance Wheel Jammed
« on: July 09, 2017, 12:26:48 PM »
I've started sewing with my new Featherweight - patchwork piecing and all was going well with good stitches and tension.  The belt sliped occasionally but not really a problem, but  then  I stopped to adjust the fabric, and suddenly the mottor whirred and nothing happened; the bbalce wheel is jammed and doesnt turn!  If the inner clutch wheel is released it does turn.

Any suggestions as to what is going on please.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

arrow

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2017, 12:54:43 PM »
Have you checked for thread mess or broken needle tip in the bobbin case area? That's the most common reason for a suddenly jammed machine.  The hand wheel itself is usually not jammed (a dry stop motion screw can freeze up though). The hand wheel often needs extra attention when it comes to oiling but usually aren't completely frozen up. This model is a bit cumbersome when it comes to cleaning out race and hook area, but there's quite a lot of detailed tutorials on this. If it still turns out to be a mystery after cleaning out the bobbin-race-hook-and-feed-dog-area, do a thorough clean of the entire machine, inspect all oil points (moving joints, hinges and gears), behind faceplate, every plate and lid you can find.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2017, 18:37:12 PM by arrow »

BrendaP

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2017, 14:37:15 PM »
Thanks Arrow

My husband has had a quick look and he thinks it's something mechanical - cogs not meshed together properly or something jammed in one.  He's just gone out, but we'll be having a more thorough look this evening.

Meanwhile I need to get on (using the 201) with the big wedding present quilt.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Holly Berry

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2017, 17:51:35 PM »
Has your OH followed the video Arrow posted?

The same happened with my Featherweight, took the bobbin race out, cleaned it did everything I knew to no avail. I found this video and followed it to the letter. I found the tiniest thread of red cotton which I had to remove from the bottom, after removing the oil drip plate. It must have been there before I bought the machine as I'd not used any red thread.

The machine worked perfectly when I put it back together. Apparently it's a common occurrence with Featherweights. It's a bit tricky reassembling and lining up the bobbin case and spool race. You have to make sure it's lined up properly otherwise the wheel won't turn.

Procrastination get behind me

BrendaP

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2017, 15:46:46 PM »
We've been following the video link posted by Arrow, got the Gibb hook open but then the base assembly will turn but it just won't come out no matter which way it's turned.   :'(
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Holly Berry

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2017, 18:01:57 PM »
I had problems getting mine out too. I gave it a really good dose of oil and applied it by standing the machine at a 45 degree angle with a towel supporting under the fly wheel so it didn't topple over. About 20 mins later I put the machine on it's side and again supporting the back, oiled the spool race from underneath the machine. Leave it for an hour or so and then then try again. The base assembly may never have been dismantled from the day it was made. If all fails try WD40 overnight. I know it's a bid no no in some quarters, but it has worked for me in the past. Old oil could well have congealed sealing the base assembly to the plate at the back.

The thread that was caught in my machine I had to pull out from underneath, but I couldn't see it until I had taken it apart. The chap in the video makes it look so easy, but mine was a bit of a struggle and as I said before, was a B.... to get the base assembly back in position to move the gibb hook to line up with the screw hole. I was just about to put the needle plate back when I realised the pointed bit wasn't between the two bits at 12 o'clock, so had to start again  :devil:

If all else fails, Maidstone Sewing Centre may be able to help, as I notice they have quite a few Featherweight machines on the shelves in their home page.

Procrastination get behind me

BrendaP

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2017, 20:00:17 PM »
Thank you for that advice - lots of oil applied to the race and the machine is now propped up at 45 degrees.  Fingers crossed!
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Holly Berry

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2017, 16:56:21 PM »
Did you get it freed?
Procrastination get behind me

BrendaP

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2017, 17:12:38 PM »
Not yet  :'(

If it doesn't move this evening I'll be going to see the local repair man tomorrow.  £££
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

BrendaP

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2017, 15:10:39 PM »
It's now with the repair man. 

He took a quick look and then said 'no, it's not the bobbin race'.  Then he took the drip pan off and tried to wiggle it a bit and said 'it's the bottom shaft.  I should be able to do that'.  So, all being well I'll have her back and working on Monday.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

BrendaP

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2017, 19:20:26 PM »
She's home and sewing well again 0_0 :vintage:

Apparently the bottom shaft had seized up due to muck and grime and lack of lubrication.  I guess that using her again  after years of not being used allowed a bit of grime to shift and then jam against another bit.

Although I had oiled her as soon as she arrived, when Terry and I were looking at the underside he said he thought the cogs looked  very dry.  Although he's pretty good at understanding how things work mechanically he knows nothing about the innards of a sewing machine.  Fortunately there is a good sewing machine mechanic just a few miles away.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Holly Berry

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2017, 23:17:27 PM »
Great news. Did he free the bobbin race?

Happy  :vintage: :vintage:
Procrastination get behind me

BrendaP

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2017, 23:59:45 PM »
Although I couldn't get it out it wasn't jammed! spinning freely and with a tiny bit of play - that's how he knew immediately that it was on the lower shaft.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

arrow

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2017, 14:52:26 PM »
Nice to hear it was sorted out relatively easily. It's almost always like this with used sewing machines, I expect to have a few turns with cleaning and oiling (end to end) to get them nice again. It doesn't have to be very old  machines for this to happen; newer computerised machine we only clean around race and hook, (some can still have the needle plate off with out too much fuzz) can be shockingly full of dust and fluff; packed all the way along the free arm and into the main body (almost as much as the content of a half full vacuume cleaner bag). Some use their machines a lot!

Holly Berry

Re: Balance Wheel Jammed
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2017, 16:40:57 PM »
It's good you've found someone who knows what they're doing.
Procrastination get behind me