Got my 'new' treadle machine - Singer 27-4
04-01-2021, 05:16 PM
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 282
I found a thin leather blotter and cut out the center so I could still get the machine out of the cabinet but cover the damaged veneer on the top of the cabinet. Now you can't tell it's damaged.
I took apart everthing on the outside of the machine, cleaned/de-rusted/de-tarnished/oiled anything that needed it, and put it back together again. Replaced the tensioner bits. Got a new belt on her. Practiced a little bit and discovered how easy it is to use a treadle machine, and she sews like a dream! Every time I go to sit down at my computerized machine I find myself wondering if what I'm doing could be done on Tiffany.
Found a shank adaptor and now I can use my modern snap-on feet her as well. Yay!
My only problem is getting the bobbin thread to run correctly through the shuttle. It takes several tries to get the thread in there correctly so the thread easily pulls out. Sometimes the bobbin gets stuck and won't move at all. I'm thinking of getting a new shuttle to see if that helps.
I took apart everthing on the outside of the machine, cleaned/de-rusted/de-tarnished/oiled anything that needed it, and put it back together again. Replaced the tensioner bits. Got a new belt on her. Practiced a little bit and discovered how easy it is to use a treadle machine, and she sews like a dream! Every time I go to sit down at my computerized machine I find myself wondering if what I'm doing could be done on Tiffany.
Found a shank adaptor and now I can use my modern snap-on feet her as well. Yay!
My only problem is getting the bobbin thread to run correctly through the shuttle. It takes several tries to get the thread in there correctly so the thread easily pulls out. Sometimes the bobbin gets stuck and won't move at all. I'm thinking of getting a new shuttle to see if that helps.
04-02-2021, 06:51 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: South of St Louis
Posts: 830
[QUOTE=mcadwell;8472839 My only problem is getting the bobbin thread to run correctly through the shuttle. It takes several tries to get the thread in there correctly so the thread easily pulls out. Sometimes the bobbin gets stuck and won't move at all. I'm thinking of getting a new shuttle to see if that helps.[/QUOTE]
Have you taken the tension spring off the shuttle and cleaned it all up? You can clean out the inside of the shuttle as well if you haven't done so (I have used a bore brush to do this). If you take the spring off, this will affect your bobbin tension. If you remove the spring you can first tighten the screw all the way down, counting the number of turns of the screwdriver from the current position of the screw to when it stops. Then when you replace it you can tighten it all the way down then back it off the same number of turns it took to tighten it; this should approximate the same bobbin tension.
If you replace the shuttle I would look for an original Singer part. I have tried the modern copies without any success, lulled into purchase by the price being about 1/3 or less of a "real" shuttle.
Have you taken the tension spring off the shuttle and cleaned it all up? You can clean out the inside of the shuttle as well if you haven't done so (I have used a bore brush to do this). If you take the spring off, this will affect your bobbin tension. If you remove the spring you can first tighten the screw all the way down, counting the number of turns of the screwdriver from the current position of the screw to when it stops. Then when you replace it you can tighten it all the way down then back it off the same number of turns it took to tighten it; this should approximate the same bobbin tension.
If you replace the shuttle I would look for an original Singer part. I have tried the modern copies without any success, lulled into purchase by the price being about 1/3 or less of a "real" shuttle.
04-02-2021, 08:48 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 474
When you start out sewing: put the needle in the fabric, then drop the foot. Hold the thread tails as you start.
A tooth pick or even long needle can help pull out any lint that has accumulated in the shuttle. You'll be surprised at how much can build up.
A tooth pick or even long needle can help pull out any lint that has accumulated in the shuttle. You'll be surprised at how much can build up.
