Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
05-03-2012, 06:27 PM
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
Quilt addict,
I used to live really close to where those machines are. I miss s.CA.
Sharon W.
(former CA beach bunny)
I used to live really close to where those machines are. I miss s.CA.
Sharon W.
(former CA beach bunny)
05-03-2012, 08:45 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northern CA near Sacramento
Posts: 1,107
Nancy,
I'm coming up for air for a few minutes. Moving is the pits!!!!
I agree with Candace completely. Most of the old Elnas (prior to the Star series) will have a flat spot on the motor pulley if they have been sitting for any length of time. In the trade the noise they make is called the 'Elna growl'. The fact that the noise has a name tells you just how common it is. If you find one and have to have it, I can resurface or replace the pulley as I have the tool to do it. I personally resurface anytime I can, as it is so much easier than the replacement.
OK, going back into hiding and packing,
Cathy
I'm coming up for air for a few minutes. Moving is the pits!!!!
I agree with Candace completely. Most of the old Elnas (prior to the Star series) will have a flat spot on the motor pulley if they have been sitting for any length of time. In the trade the noise they make is called the 'Elna growl'. The fact that the noise has a name tells you just how common it is. If you find one and have to have it, I can resurface or replace the pulley as I have the tool to do it. I personally resurface anytime I can, as it is so much easier than the replacement.
OK, going back into hiding and packing,
Cathy
Candace, how did you discover that the problem was a flat spot on the pulley? Geeze, I watched you sewing - it sounds great. I also went to the tute you made - great job! Thank you! Great information for the rest of us. I don't have an Elna, but who knows I may find one someday and this information is great to have!
Nancy
Nancy
05-03-2012, 08:49 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northern CA near Sacramento
Posts: 1,107
Candace,
Great tute. That beautiful Elna sound sweet!
Resurfacing sure does make a mess doesn't it?
Cathy
Great tute. That beautiful Elna sound sweet!
Resurfacing sure does make a mess doesn't it?
Cathy
Hey all, I just made a step by step of how I redressed my vintage Elna pulley (rather than buy a new one and replace). I hope it helps someone else as 90% of these machines that have sat longer than a month without use will get a flat spot on the pulley and sound like jackhammers. Here's the link. http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5191210
05-03-2012, 09:19 PM
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7,741
BoJangles, Crossstitcher and Charlee, thank you so much for your comments on DH's bowls. I am pretty convinced what he does is much harder than simply cutting fabric and sewing it together. LOL
05-03-2012, 09:46 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: San francisco Bay Area
Posts: 249
and, just say you replace the pulley, and than forget to use the machine or prop the drive wheel away from the hand wheel(and you have to take the hand wheel off to do this), if you happen to do this you will need to replace or resurface the pulley AGAIN in about a year. BTDT. Laura
Nancy, these green, vintage Elnas have one Achilles heel and it's the pulley. If it sounds loud, like a jackhammer and vibrates all over, it's the pulley. An easy diagnosis and I had thought a somewhat PITA fix. 90% of any of these that one would purchase is going to have a flat spot on the pulley. It's the nature of the design of the machine.
05-04-2012, 05:57 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 476
Thought you might want to see what my DH does with wood which is similar to what we do with fabric. Love that guy, for sure!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...d-t187969.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...d-t187969.html
Wow!! Those are beautiful. What talent. We have a local guy who hand turns wooden bowls, and sets up a booth at the local monthly music show to display/sell them, but is kind enough to donate one for a door prize also. Guess who the lucky winner was last month, and whose dear husband immediately put it on the shelf with his "hunting stuff" and filled it with his goodies. As much as he tolerates my sewing, I just told him how good it looked.
05-04-2012, 06:36 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
and, just say you replace the pulley, and than forget to use the machine or prop the drive wheel away from the hand wheel(and you have to take the hand wheel off to do this), if you happen to do this you will need to replace or resurface the pulley AGAIN in about a year. BTDT. Laura
05-04-2012, 06:38 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Cathy, you be sure to let me know if you need any help moving. I have a 4 Runner, so can fit quite a bit in there. And my back is still in good condition.
05-04-2012, 07:30 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,972
Thought you might want to see what my DH does with wood which is similar to what we do with fabric. Love that guy, for sure!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...d-t187969.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...d-t187969.html
05-04-2012, 07:34 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
Hey all, I just made a step by step of how I redressed my vintage Elna pulley (rather than buy a new one and replace). I hope it helps someone else as 90% of these machines that have sat longer than a month without use will get a flat spot on the pulley and sound like jackhammers. Here's the link. http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5191210
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