Mizkaki

Christy,

Looks like you may have a 15-1. The 15-1 was the first 15, it has an oscillating hook like all 15s. However, the hook is a "birds beak" hook system. Does it look like this picture? note the offset/ non-centered bobbin
[ATTACH=CONFIG]473506[/ATTACH]

Edit: I see from your pictures that you do have a bird's beak 15.

Mizkaki

Christy,

See the attached picture. Grab the bobbin case at the red arrow and lift towards you. That opens the case. To remove the case, remove the two screws marked in blue (actually one one shows in the picture), the hook retaining ring should then come off by wiggling.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]473507[/ATTACH]

Mrs. SewNSew

Thank you Cathy, I will give that a try. So far, I am carefully trying to wipe her down with the lightest touch, but the paint is badly cracked and chips off easily.

Mrs. SewNSew

That worked! I was able to remove the bobbin and bobbin case for round one cleaning. I may have been way too optimistic about her paint. She is obviously rusted beneath the pain in several areas and the paint is blistered and cracked. The clear coat is smoky what's left of it and her flowers are faded and lost in the years.

Still, it is an amazing sewing machine and I am in awe of the people that designed her. Knowing her paint is pretty well shot I focused my attention more on getting her lubed up and running. Like I mentioned, I have only done the first round cleaning...no serious polishing or rust removal at this p
oint but I am going to look for info. on threading and give her a walk about. Everything is turning and I want to see if the old gal can still secure a stitch.

manicmike

A 15-1 is an amazing find. Here's the parts book for it:

http://www.manualslib.com/download/1...nger-15-1.html

Needlebar (http://needlebar.org/main/15chart/index.html) say the 15 was first made around 1879. Unbelievably early considering how long they persisted with shuttles after this.

Mrs. SewNSew

Thank you for the link MMike! I had no luck getting her sewing last night. It could be that she needs more cleaning and she does, or I could have her threaded wrong and I would bet I do! Does anyone have threading info on a 15-1?

ArchaicArcane

First thing I would check is if the needle is in the right way, and for that matter, if you have the right needle.

So - sorry, I'm going to add to the questions:

• Does it take a 15x1 needle or something else?
• If something else, is it a round shank needle?
• If it's a flat sided needle try putting the side with the flat on it to the same side as the hook that's coming around to grab the thread.

We can check timing - but I learned from last time - we'll check needles first!

As far as threading, typically most machines will follow this basic path for threading the top:
-> Spool -> across the top of the machine usually to a guide that keeps the thread horizontal -> down to a tensioner -> up to the take up lever -> down through a series of guides to the needle.

Needles thread from the side the last guide pulled the thread to the side closest to the tip of the hook (which is also the same side the scarf is on the needle)

Mrs. SewNSew

Tammi, I had the bobbin threaded wrong to start. Needlebar had a diagram and explanation so I think I have that right now. I have the same needle in it that it came with but I failed to see how it was installed before removing it. It does have a flat on one side. I'll try turning it. It seemed to want to go in with the flat to the back.

ArchaicArcane

I would be 99% sure that the needle isn't proper in flat to the back. My best guess would be flat to the right.

I could be fairly sure with a photo of the nose plate and needle area, as well as a photo of the needle in the fully down position shot from the bobbin area.

Mrs. SewNSew

YES! I have just sewn a dirty paper towel with a 100 year old sewing machine! Happiness dance!

*needle flat side to the right and threaded from left to right.