Slwhipkey

Hi,
I bought a Domestic 153X because I thought the cabinet would make a nice desk. Then I read about the machine and decided I bought a gem of a machine for $25. I had it serviced brought it home and it sat for a year. I decided to give it a test drive this week.

The stitches are beautiful, even, great tension & with a little wheel turning sewed through 11 layers of material (2 layers cotton, 1 layer batting, 1 layer heat resistant batting, 4 layers of binding & 3 layers of cotton for a hanger).

I’m hoping someone can help with a few questions.
1. Is there a way to adjust the knee control sensitivity. It takes moving the knee control lever to just the right position to get the motor/needle to engage. I find it difficult to manage the speed either really slow or warp very little in between. Also there is a lot of play in the forward/backward positioning & the side ways motion is quite stiff. Hope all that makes sense.

2. The machine does not purr, rather it sounds kind of like a jet engine and vibrates. Perhaps this is due to the drive wheel having a flat spot (the piece of cloth holding the motor away from the wheel slipped out at some point).

The stitch length adjuster for reverse only turn to 8. Is that correct?
i appreciate any information and suggestions.

leonf

Welcome aboard.

Can't help you with #1. both my 153 s are portable



#2 OH yea, those flat spots have caused many a machine to get thrown out because of the shake and racket. Glad you are saving yours.

leonf

[ATTACH=CONFIG]607671[/ATTACH]One of mine.

Mickey2

I have seen two or three types of speed controllers for vintage machines; the most common for me has been the carbon disk type, the other version has a type of resistance coil construciton. I think they can be serviced and adjusted. If you have the time and patience, you can give the "carbon pile" version a DIY clean up and service. There are tutorials on the web, perhaps you can find a repair guy who bothers to repair it. I have the carbon disk pile in both my knee controller machines, and in the Singer pedals. You have to post a picture of it to get more help or suggestions on how to go about it. I can let you know me knee lever 99 and Elna Supermatic are nice to use and have gradual speed control. Your Domestic should be just as good as any machine when sorted out properly.

The rubber wheel needs to be replaced, or maye you can sand it down to even out the bump. I think sewclassic carries these, and a few ebay sellers. These old machines are great, but they need to be cleaned and oiled now and then to run smoothly.

Slwhipkey

Thanks for the information. I’m away from home at the moment. Will attempt a picture when I get back.

Guess I will invest in a bunch of “rubber” wheels. Lol

leonf

One should last a long time if you move it off the wheel when you put the machine up.