Feed Dog Malfunction

Hi,

My apologies if this is not the right place to post but it's a close as I could come.

I am not a sewing machine user or repairman but am trying to help a lady get her Singer Model 1411 machine back in operation.

The problem:

Feed dogs will not actuate when presser foot is in the down position.

Observations:

The feed dogs work properly if machine is turned backward with the big knob on the right end. They also work properly with the presser foot in the up position. Changing the stitch length, balance and type have no effect on the feed dogs.

Action Taken:

I have removed the bottom plate and could find nothing broken or out-of-place. I removed the left-upper end cover and picked out a snarl of thread with no effect.

I would appreciate any insights you might have on this problem.

Thank you.

Mike

Reply to
JB
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The hand wheel (yes, even on an electric machine!).

Hm... If the feed dogs are moving without the fabric feeding, you may have one of two glitches:

  1. Insufficient presser foot pressure. Just adjust this according to the manual.
  2. The feed dogs are 'dropped' and need to be raised to be in contact with the foot to move the fabric.

If the feed dogs are NOT moving at all when the presser foot id down, you have a bigger problem, especially if they DO move when the foot is in the raised position. You may need a repairman. Kate the needle plate off and the shuttle out of the machine and check for wodges of fossilized lint jamming the mechanism.

if none of this helps, some photos of the problem will help you sort it out if you join Wefixit (a yahoo group) and post them there or on an accessible web site.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Ahem. If you are referring to the hand wheel, it is SUPPOSED to be at the right hand side of the machine as you look at it. Are you trying to run this machine backwards, perhaps??

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Reply to
Olwyn Mary

That's the correct orientation. Hand wheel at the right hand, needle at the left hand.

Perhaps you were using the machine in the wrong position...?

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

Perhaps you were using the machine in the wrong position...?<

-Irene>

Thank you for your inputs Kate, Olwyn and Irene.

I opened all the covers and studied this contraption for quite awhile and then I watched all the mechanisms while I turned the handwheel.

Two shafts never turned regardless of settings so I turned one by hand and the dogs worked.

Then I determined that reason the shaft did not turn is because two gears are stripped! The gears appears to have been running dry for a long time although the machine has been used very little since it was lubed. The only grease was on the sides and looked very old.

I suspect this machine is a paperweight now. The last time the owner tried to get a some kind of stitch plate the dealer could not come up with one that fit correctly.

Unless I can come with gears locally at a decent price I think we'll just get a cheap machine at Costco and throw it in the trash when it fails.

Thanks again.

Mike

Reply to
JB

Before you junk it, try Wefixit (Yahoo group). The folks there may be able to help you find the parts and replace them.

You'll find the Costco type cheapies very light weight, weak, and unreliable. For the same price you could get a decent older metal machine with some useful household stitches and a decent motor. Try your local sewing machine sales and repair shop.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

My money goes to a broken feed gear. It is quite common on that model. \ Take the bottom cover off the machine and have a peek inside near the center of the machine, you will see 2 gears one long and one round about the size of a quarter. I but one, probably the long one is missing teeth, you may need to rotate the hand wheel to get to see the broken parts.

Reply to
Ron Anderson

I can supply your gears

Reply to
Ron Anderson

Problem is, a cheap machine is going to give you equally cheap sewing results. Better to buy used top of the line than crappy new.

Do you have a sewing machine repair shop in your area? THey often sell used units that have been completely gone over. Nothing sews like a vintage 1950s era Singer, Necchi, Pfaff or Elna. =20

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

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