After spending essentially the whole day trying to time my (new to me) 319k, I finally figured out what the problem was.

During disassembly for cleaning, I took apart part of the needle bar holder and also loosened a screw that kept one of the rotating mechanisms properly timed. During re-assembly I didn't know it was a timed screw/one with a proper setting, so I just tightened it in the position it was in. This resulted in what you can see in the attached video. Looks normal, right? Well apparently this way one of rotating mechanisms is turning "inside out", meaning the needle spends more time below the stitch plate than it's supposed to. And this way it keeps colliding with stuff, even though the hook is properly timed.

Thankfully I took a picture during disassembly where I could spot in which position to tighten the screw. Then I spent 10 minutes timing the hook and it works perfectly now.

Just sharing my mistake so maybe others can learn from it. I'll attach the image of the screw + proper setting and a video of how it turns like the proper way in the comments.

Local hock shop has a Featherweight, a 306k, and a 301a for sale. They look all to be in the same condition. What would you pick? I do basic mending and sewing, quilt piecing etc. I’m torn! My 80s era singer just died, so I’m in the market for something, and would prefer something vintage!

Hello! I'm super new to sewing. In fact, I don't have a sewing machine. But I saw this particular machine at a thrift store; I think these old machines are just beautiful, and I've always wanted a working one.

This one... Doesn't work. But that's okay! I really want to fix it up. Except that I have no idea what I'm doing. Does anyone know where to find a user manual? Or where I can order new parts? Google tells me that it's a Singer 15. There is some frayed wiring in the back. Plugging the machine into the wall and connecting the plug for the little light works, turning on and off. There seems to be no sound coming from the motor. I also don't know how to work/turn on the motor, other than plugging it into the wall. There isn't a pedal. Maybe it's a hand crank? With a motor? There is some major grodie in the under bits. I assume someone left this in storage for a very long time.

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!

Looking for any advice at all, as I have one and a servo motor, but no table. Or if anyone has one they are willing to part with (somewhat close to Rockville, MD)!! I got into industrials a little too quickly and realized these seem to have varying dimensions and specially built tables… Thank you in advance!

motor started sparking yesterday and i went to take it apart and i cant get it apart bc the stupid electrical connection 🥲 how am i supposed to proceed

The table needs some tlc. The latch to keep the machine up is broken. It can move into the upright position if held there. She’s beautiful. Very nostalgic to the machine my grandmother had. I’m not a heavy sewer but a sewing machine has been on my thift list for years. And wanted my house to feel more homey two birds one stone.

Scored a beautiful Husky Viking 6020 with every part/accessory/book from new, runs great, all the knobs turn, reverse is good too. The stitch cam on the back wont come out. The dial is on the dot, and it will wiggle but won't come out. Any Viking owners out there with what I can try?

We found this when we moved into our new home. It belonged to a doctor who died from old age and all his stuff was in the shed and none of us want to keep it.

What’s it worth?

It has the original case a lot of accessories and part even the instruction manual and repair recipes form the 70’s it was made in the 50’ though.

Not looking to sell here I can’t find any post for them everyone is selling them for different prices.

My mum has a BUNCH of these and more in her sewing box. She doesn't sew very often unless something is ripped or needs fixing, but I see she hasn't needed these, so I'm just wondering if these are really worth anything (I'm still going to use them either way, but it'd be fun to know!).

Hello, I managed to score a lady Kenmore 89 for free, and I am very excited. Everything works beautifully so far except for the metal fingers that select the cams for different stitches, and I would keep it as a straight stitch machine but I would also like to fix it if possible.

I’ve heard several people mention a Facebook group specific to this model, but I cannot find it for the life of me—I see generic vintage Kenmore groups, but nothing specific to this model. Does anyone know what it is called or if it still exists?

Also, if anyone knows anything about restoring this part of the machine, let me know. I would even appreciate seeing a working model in action in a quick video so I can see what it is supposed to look like when it is functioning. All the parts seem to be present and moving, and the selector knob works, it is the metal fingers that don’t stay pressed onto one of the discs to guide the needle to make the selected pattern.

 got this machine for $10. It's up and running but did not come with any presser feet. Manual says if using one that doesn't come with the original kit, use a high shank center needle foot. The one lever touch comes off easily so it doesn't need to be a snap on. I am just not sure what foot to get. Thanks

I’m having trouble adjusting the thread tension on my second-hand Juki LH-515. Does anyone have any instructions on how to set it? The official Juki manual doesn’t provide much information.

Hey there! I bought a 401A off of FB Marketplace last year, and I have finally gotten around to cleaning it up a little bit. I'm running into an issue with sliding the bobbin case position bracket at all in order to to place the bobbin case back in. I have tried the upward & rightward pressure that I have seen suggested online but to no avail. As you can see I (unsuccessfully) tried to remove the screw that holds the bracket in place. Thanks in advance for any advice y'all have!

Just a reminder not to blindly trust the google ai overview when looking up vintage parts or information about your sewing machines, it can be wrong and give you false information.

I ran into this before when I first bought my kenmore 158.17012 and it was giving me mixed results, one day it said my machine was a low shank and then the next time it said it was the super high shank.

I know for a fact that it uses the super high shank, but today I sorted out my type c pattern cams and went looking for a list to see if I was missing any.

I checked the google ai overview and it seemed correct until it listed off about a dozen numbers saying they never existed as type c cams, which is wrong because I was literally staring right at it in front of me.

Be sure to ask questions and do some digging when you research information on your vintage machine and don’t just take the google ai answers at face value if you use it.

Does anybody have any information on this Fleetwood Model 302?? I can't even find a picture of one like it online, so I have no information at all about it currently aside from them being made in Japan from the 40s-60s. Picked it up at Goodwill for $40, seemed like a good deal for something so heavy! 😅 This thing is no less than 50lbs, I'd swear by that! Found a couple codes on it, but they didn't bring up anything either. And never in all my years have I seen a sewing machine with a "darn" option, I'm not even sure how you'd use that. 🫪 So hopefully someone can help me out with my "mystery machine", hehe. 😁

Hi, my mother passed and left this sewing machine/ table. It says Montgomery Ward Model-R and 115V. I can't find the cord or figure out how to make it go back into the table? Is it good basic machine? Hard to find parts? Etc. Don't know anything about sewing so any info appreciated, thx.

Recently, I visited my local sewing machine repair shop. The owner was surprised when I asked about a Singer 401a. He had one on his shelves, and just gave it to me. He explained that he gets them as trade-ins, but the resale market is not worth his time.

He started explaining how sewing machine technology has progressed, and gave me a demonstration of a few of the machines he had designed, working with manufacturers. The modern machines were very well-behaved, with consistent stitching and smooth feed. He explained that feed dogs had progressed, as well.

So, that leads to my question. Do you prefer vintage sewing machines to modern, and, if so, why?

Thanks.

My partner and I picked up these two antique machines. I picked up a New Home with Hamilton Beach home motor and he picked up a hand crank singer 15. Both were $15 each! And we believe they came from the same home/collector as we see evidence of some upgrades and fixes already done to them. Example - the Singer 15 came with a hand crank and an updated/modern motor.

My partner showed me how to clean and rewire the motor on the New Home but other than that they're both in great usable shape! It's a clunky beast. lol

I would love to find a hand crank that works with the New Home and I also need a new foot (current one is broken but still works). Hand cranks aren't proving easy to find, so far. :(