IanCraik

Well, hallelujah - your suggestion was spot on. It was the foot pressure, and come to think of it, it makes sense - the guy I bought it from had a mini industry sewing some sort of industrial filters - probably very lightweight material. Plus I disassembled the hook again, cleaned it up like new, installed a new servo motor and roller guide and tried it on some 12oz harness leather - it sewed like a dream as though it was chiffon. So, thanks a million Mike. There's nothing like the feeling when things work out and I really appreciate that you took the time to steer me right. Ian PS as a side note, the guy I got it from used to have a small upholstery business and was just barely staying afloat. Then one day a guy came in and asked if he would do a bit of contract sewing (the filters) He ended up with 6 machines and employees and by the time the work had moved to Asia he had made several million and retired to a beautiful house in Maine. I wish I had bought a couple more of these machines - I didn't even realize what a steal they were at $600

Thanks - I took a bunch of pictures from the screen to take with me - I also found a picture online of a threaded machine - seems I've been doing that wrong too.

You're correct, I do need to know more about fixing and adjusting. I've been using my old Consews for so long and they've never needed a thing in the years since I got them apart from an oiling. I'm going to make it a mission to learn this machine inside and out. Adjusting timing sounds pretty intimidating, but I think I went by a video on YT about that. I'm surprised I can find so little info on this model - it seems to have been fairly popular.

Thanks for the input, unfortunately I didn't get to try it. I watched a Youtube video on servicing the bobbin and THOUGHT I'd remember how to do it when I got to the shop this morning (no Internet there). Evidently I DIDN'T remember, because now that it's back together it doesn't sew at all. I guess I never learn. Perhaps re-watching and giving it another shot when I go in in the morning....

I got an Adler a year ago, but haven't had set it up yet to until now. I believe it's threaded properly (I couldn't find a manual or threading instructions online, so threaded it based on the other machines I have) and I have correct needles, properly seated, but here's what's happening - firstly, the shuttle hook wasn't grabbing the thread, and I'm not sure what I did, but now it is. Next, it stitches well when I sew a couple of layers or 4oz, but when I go to a thicker material, the stitches aren't locking and they skip like crazy. It seems like that would be a problem with not using the correct needle, but I know I ordered the correct ones, so does anyone have any idea where the problem lies. I'm using #92 thread, though I will be using 138. Thanks much Ian