wiring
 

A divided wire is not critical as long as the insulation is not broken or cracked. It can be taped until you can get a new one. Bad insulation should cause a replacement. It isn't the end of the world. Sew-Classic.com can you right up. They have the correct Bobbins. Don't mess around with that, as they are critical. The bobbin is probably the culprit.
Donna

The wrong bobbin is for sure the problem!

I don't know how you could even use a wrong bobbin in a 301. No other bobbin I have seen would come close to fitting into the bobbin case.

Mark,

With a big enough hammer you can make almost anything fit anything ...... Just ask Miriam ;) Bwahahahahahahah ..

Joe

Seriously, you simply cannot get a class 15 or any normal size bobbin in a FW or 301 bobbin case. Here's a pic of that;

221/301 Bobbin in case:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]477664[/ATTACH]

Class 15 bobbin in FW case:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]477665[/ATTACH]

Class 66 bobbin in FW case:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]477666[/ATTACH]

As you can see, only the 221 / 301 bobbins will fit in the case.

In my experiances, bird nesting on the bottom of the fabric is a top tension, or top threading problem.

Joe

When ever I get around to a new machine, I clean, oil check for burrs and take apart the bobbin area, clean, adjust and put back then clean up the bobbin case, including behind the spring - then adjust. Then I take the tension apart, clean and rebuild. Usually that takes care of any adjustments. Occasionally something else is the problem - but you do have to have everything put back correctly. My sister had a Singer 503 tension she took apart a bunch of times because the tension was driving her crazy. She actually had the thing put together correct. Finally I told her to try a tension from a different machine. It did the same crazy thing. So she started looking at everything carefully. There were burrs on the thread guides. I have seen dried up oil inside a tension make so much drag that the tension would not work correctly. If you are uncomfortable doing the servicing yourself take it somewhere and have it done - make sure it is taken apart and put back together - just flossing between the disks may not take care of some issues.

For those of you that said about the wrong size bobbin I think you misunderstood, I do have the correct bobbin in there what I was trying to say was that I didn't have another to switch to if I found a burr on it. I just got this machine a few days ago and like the majority of you I just had to start sewing and this is when I ran into all these issues. With regard to cleaning and oiling I definitely will do that but under no circumstances will I be taking anything apart. I followed some instructions on here from Billy and somehow I don't know what I did wrong but my Singer Treadle stopped working, it was sewing so awesomely before I did anything to her (there are pictures of 2 of my girls on here one is Miss Rosie) it just breaks my heart when I want to use her but can't, it's not like it's easy to transport a treadle in a sedan. With the 301 I will definitely clean her and oil her but I won't be taking her apart. Miriam thanks for the info about dropping the feed dogs. I almost bought another 301A today it was the two tone but decided to get this black 301 taken care of first. I will try the suggestions that I have not already tried and keep you updated. I will post pics of her once she is good. How many of you have 301's and where on your favorites list does she fit in??

I have two 301s (a black one and a beige one) and I love the way they sew. When I got my first 301, it sewed but was bunching up the fabric and stitched really tight. I thought it was the tension but after downloading an adjuster's manual I found that part of the gib (I think that is what it is called) was broken off. I ordered a replacement from Glenn Williams, replaced it, adjusted the tension and then it sewed great. Look at J Miller's photos. The gib is the curved piece with the number and screw on it. The very tip of mine was gone. I don't know if that is your problem but worth checking. Don't give up. You will love the 301.

I have 6 301s. I would rather piece on a 301 than any of my modern,expensive machines. To be honest, you CANT screw up the timing or break them. Nothing but tension to adjust. You may have a bad bobbin. Do you know someone with a featherweight that could loan you a vintage bobbin to try. The bobbins need to come from sewclassic or a good source,not Joann's. Play with your top tension and see if that helps your birds nests. The manuals are all online,if I can work on them, you can too. Just use your camera to take photos and put screws and pieces in a safe place, like a magnetic bowl.
PS the bobbins are interchangeable with featherweights but the presser feet are not!

Don't give up on your 301. You will love it when you get it figured out. I have bought 3 - kept 2 and traded the 3rd one for having a King sized quilt quilted by my favorite long arm quilter. They are a very good machine and there has to be a "little" fix needed. Good luck.