Mimiqwerty

I gave my 1951 Featherweight to my older daughter who wanted to learn to quilt, and she's hooked! I greased and oiled the machine before she got it and it ran like a top. Then it developed the dreaded stitch lock. In attempting to remove the bobbin assembly to check for a stuck thread, I discovered that I can't remove the gib screw. I've included a picture of the problem screw (that's not my machine--mine is in much better shape). My DH has tried WD40, wait time, and his best Craftsman screwdrivers, but no luck. The screw won't budge. We finally took it in to the shop where the SMG admired the FW's overall condition and then said he'd try to get the screw out, but he may not be able to. Anyone here have any suggestions?

I tried to post a photo from my iPad, but I've never done this before, sorry.

Tartan

To post from your iPad, first take the picture with it and it goes to your albums. Go to quiltingboard and open a new thread. Type in the title and text. Clck on the little paper clip that is for manage attachments in the icon boxes. It will prompt you to choose from existing pictures. Click on that and it will bring you to your camera roll. Click on the picture you want and it will ask you to upload it. Click upload and go back to your text. If the text has disappeared click on the restore content at the bottom of the text box. You will not "see" your picture until AFTER you click submit.
For putting a picture in an existing thread, just click on the tiny tree icon on the top (3rd from right)of the quick reply box and follow the prompts.

DanofNJ

I like Breakfree sold at gun shops...it may take a few days to free up but it eventually will in my experience.

Mimiqwerty

Tartan, Thanks for the instructions, but neither works. Whenever I click on the paper clip or the tree, the "upload file" is gray and I can't access it. Not sure what I'm doing wrong as I have the picture in my camera roll. I really appreciate your help and I'll keep trying.

Mimiqwerty

Thanks. I'll get some tomorrow.

Noel

Heat from a hair dryer and light tapping while it's marinating may help as well.

Mimiqwerty

Thanks Noel. Sounds like good advice. I'll just have to be patient with it. In the meantime, my daughter is using my old Kenmore 158. She likes that one, too.

Candace

Liquid Wrench has usually done the deed for me.

cabbagepatchkid

This is how I did it.

I stood my FW up on end...protected from tipping over with some stacks of books. I applied a drop of Liquid Wrench to the screw and then let it soak in for several hours--still leaving the machine in the upright position.

Every few hours I added another drop of LW and then let it set overnight. It took awhile but it finally came out.

I had to do the same thing to the gib, itself, as it wouldn't swing out as it's supposed to.

I tried the heat from the hairdrier but the heat blowing onto the LW made a spark!!!

After I took the tiny gib screw out I taped it to a piece of paper and then placed the paper in a baggie....just so no one would accidently throw it out.

Mimiqwerty

Great news! Thanks to all your suggestions and advice, the gib screw has been successfully removed. It took time, Liquid Wrench, and very light tapping. As suspected, there was a thread caught in the works.


Thanks again for all the help. This board is an unending source of fabulous knowledge, freely given.