Greetings everyone,
Well, one week later, and the outlook for my "new" Singer 4622A seems to be quite bright. I have finally managed to turn the lemon into lemonade!
The diferent complaints I had initially were resolved in various ways. Since at least two solutions could have an appeal to someone else, I have decided to report them here.
Now, the machine is sewing perfectly, with no more problems.
1) I wanted to know how to oil the machine. I haven't yet found a correct diagram for oiling, but I have found how to remove the stubborn sewing machine cover, thanks to the following site:Be warned that this is not instruction manuals; only parts manuals.
2) The buttonhole foot was not working right. The fix was simple, and I have managed to be reimbursed for it by the seller of the sewing machine. Buy another slant shank for snap-on feet. The one supplied with the machine, surprisingly enough, was not a Singer one, which explained that all the feet were "wobbly" inside the shank, and wouldn't sew right. And yet another reason I hate snap-on feet, apart from them being made often of plastic.3) The spool cap was extremely loose on the horizontal spool pin. That one was the first thing I corrected. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Immerge the spool cap in the water for at least 30 seconds. Remove, and with long-nosed pliers, bring the plastic "tabs" that hug the spool pin together. Plunge the spool cap in a bowl of cold or iced water. Dry it off, and voilà! A new spool cap that has a lot of friction on the spool pin, without buying another one.
In conclusion, I would say that this machine is even better so far than my "old" 5810C. I love the one-step buttonholer, and the fact that this machine is a real champ at topstitching, which always prove to be a problem with my other sewing machines. I have already made a shirt with it, and can't wait to make many more!
Mario Landerman