15-91 running intermittently
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 7
15-91 running intermittently
Hi everyone - new to the forum and vintage sewing machines...I have 3 vintage machines; a 1926 28K of my Grandmothers, a 1954 99K from a thrift store; both of which run and a 15-91.
I picked up the 15-91 yesterday - I tested it when I was looking it over it and it ran. I brought it home and cleaned it all up, oiled it etc. Then I plugged it in and pushed the foot pedal - nothing...I unplugged it and plugged it into another outlet and it ran - thought it was the outlet...then I tried it again a little while later and it wouldn't run...I pulled the brushes out of the motor - they seemed clean, no build up on the springs. I wiped the bit of dust off each of the brushes and reinstalled them. Still no luck...
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks so much for any assistance!
Kelly
I picked up the 15-91 yesterday - I tested it when I was looking it over it and it ran. I brought it home and cleaned it all up, oiled it etc. Then I plugged it in and pushed the foot pedal - nothing...I unplugged it and plugged it into another outlet and it ran - thought it was the outlet...then I tried it again a little while later and it wouldn't run...I pulled the brushes out of the motor - they seemed clean, no build up on the springs. I wiped the bit of dust off each of the brushes and reinstalled them. Still no luck...
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks so much for any assistance!
Kelly
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 04-11-2019 at 02:30 AM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 786
I recently had to replace my foot peddle because of this problem. It was a new electronic one that I purchased a few years ago. The machine ran fine after I installed the original peddle. Check the wiring for any loose connections or breaks. If the wiring is ok, the foot may need some adjustments. Look up Andy Tube on youtube. He has lots of instructional videos on repairing old sewing machines. Warning he loves to talk a lot!!!
#3
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 7
Thanks - I'll have a look for Andy Tube!
I took the pedal apart also (should've mentined that) and it looked a bit grungy - however the wires seemed okay. I cleaned up the contact points and reattached everything. Also - the other thing I should've probably said was that there is power getting through the cord to the light.. So it seems the cord is okay...but maybe the pedal could be the issue.
Thanks again!
Kelly
I took the pedal apart also (should've mentined that) and it looked a bit grungy - however the wires seemed okay. I cleaned up the contact points and reattached everything. Also - the other thing I should've probably said was that there is power getting through the cord to the light.. So it seems the cord is okay...but maybe the pedal could be the issue.
Thanks again!
Kelly
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,891
If you find the grease things, fill them with vaseline. I think they are usually called "grease pots", but I'm not sure what the actual name is. They are kind under and behind the balance/hand wheel. There are 2 if them. They face down toward the bed and are kind of hard to get to. They just unscrew. Since they face down, you need some kind of tool to put the vaseline in them. I use an old hypodermic needle without the needle. (it's still messy.)
bkay
bkay
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
Sometimes you need to have the hand wheel off and check the gear behind there; it can be sluggish with dried up grease. Sometimes it can be anywhere on the machine, it once took me four days of oiling and test sewing to get a machine to run smoothly again.
If there isn't the slightest hum of motor or movement I would go through the wiring from end to end. Pedals can usually be sorted out, but if you have a second wroking pedal you could always try it.
If there isn't the slightest hum of motor or movement I would go through the wiring from end to end. Pedals can usually be sorted out, but if you have a second wroking pedal you could always try it.
Last edited by Mickey2; 04-09-2019 at 08:50 AM.
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