mickt

First of all I would like to thank all of you that helped me with the problems I was having with my Consew 226 R. All of you are great in my book, didn't know me and never heard of me until I posted here with a plea for help and you jumped right in to offer great suggestions and ideas. The machine had multiple problems it seems and now most if not all of them have been fixed. I want to say a special thank you to Bob Kovar of Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines, the man went out of his way to help me with all the problems the machine had. I called him so many times he had me on his speed dial and when I called he would answer "Hello Mick" and when I did not call him for a few days he would say " I thought you were mad at me because haven't called for a few days". When I first bought the machine I decided that I wanted a sewing machine mechanic to go over it and another machine I have. There is a guy that comes around my area from about 150 miles away every few weeks, found out about him from a friend. Called the guy told him what kind of machine's I had and set up an appointment and he made a house call. When he got here and after talking to him it was pretty clear he had not worked on very many commercial machines. I asked him how long he had been working on machines and his reply was about 51 years. Too make a long story short after he left the machine was no better then when he came. He was better off to the tune of $100.00 thou. Anyway after making the call to Bob and him walking me through different issues with the machine, we were able to get the old gal working like a sewing machine again. The problem with the clutch popping out was operator error and a little bit machine. The stitch adjuster needed cleaning since it was frozen up. But the biggest problem was I was not adjusting it the right way. I was doing it by the book I thought but failed to read to turn the wheel forward or backward to find the stitch I needed, I was only trying to turn the wheel forward and that was what was popping the clutch, so the clutch was doing it's job. Again thank you all for the support and help getting this old gal running again. Wife's even happy now that it is running right so I guess I'm out of the dog house for now. Now it's time to start using and getting use to it, to start making some stuff. Thanks again for all the help. This is a great board with lots of great people, something that is hard to find in this day and age. Mick

Hi Steve, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I believe we got the probem fixed. You all can slap me silly if you want to but I need to do it to myself first. It appears that I did know how to work the stitch selector the right way. Thanks to Bob Kovar and his putting up with me and picking his brain. I'm sure he stayed awake at night trying to figure it out also. Thanks for your help and concerns in trying to help me. This is a great board, with all the folks here trying to help each other, and everyone is soooooo nice, I'll put up another post and let everyone know what went wrong and what went right. Thanks again Mick

Maybe I did not get it fixed afterall, to be honest I don't have a clue how to fix it. I'm not really sure how it works, all I know is the stitch changing part moves now where before it did not. Maybe it's moving but not like it should be! Mick

Sandy Yes it appears that there were multiple issues, Seem it had alot of built up gunk on the stitch selector not letting it slide. At this time the machine only stitches 6 stiches per inch probably good for most anything I would sew, but since it has a selector I would like it to work the right way. Thanks again Mick

Hi Gregg Sorry to just be getting back to you,I just now found your reply to help and my day job has been getting in the way of fun time. I think you may be right about the clutch. I ordered a new clutch spring today hoping that it may be the problem. I was able to get the gib out and it had a few bad places rough spots on it as well as some built up gunk, cleaned it up and filed down the high places, as well as cleaning up the whole stitch selecter area, the cam was not moving before the clean up and now it is, so I think that was part of the problem. It still pops the clutch when trying to select a different stitch and tigthing the tention spring screw on the clutch makes turning the hand wheel really hard whitch can't be right. The clutch having a problem is the only thing I can think of, but I am no expert on this. The machine works great after everyones help on timing the machine, makes nice neat stitches. I also put a 13/4 inch pully on the motor today and that slowed the machine down to a speed that I like making it more controlable thanks to reading about doing it on this board. When you say you don't like this type clutch, does that mean that there is a different type/model clutch that this one can be replaced with? If anyone has any other ideas to help I could use them. Thanks Mick

Hi Sandy, Thanks for the concern. I'm sorry to get back to you so late, but my day job and other tasks have gotten in the way of my play time. No haven't fixed it all yet but have the gib and stitch control part freed up and working. Thinking now I need to get a new tention spring for the clutch. Thanks again Mick

Thanks Gregg, I find it easyer to use this book, then the Consew book, it does have better information to better understand the workings of the machine for those of us that don't know much about them. I'll put the link in here the case someone would like to view and print it. ( I think it is ok to put the link here?) Now if I could only figure out how to keep my clutch from popping out all the time I would be a happy camper or I should say happy sewer. http://parts.singerc...als/111w156.pdf Thanks again Mick

Hi Sandy, thanks for the reply. Yes I think Bob has forgotten more then I could learn in a life time. I believe he may have photograpth memory , seems to see every every nut, bolt, screw and spring on my machine as I'm talking to him on the phone. Here are a few photograph's of the areas of concern on my machine. (if I can load them right) The one with the yellow arrow shows the gib or wedge sticking up and not flush with the rest of the unit. This was sticking up this way at first and then I set it flush and tightened the allen screws, on the first attempt to set my stitch length it resumed the out of flush position again. The clutch is something I have not messed with since I don't know how to take it out and clean it and adjust it and put it back in. The only thing I have done is turn the screw back and forth. Mick

Does anyone know if a Singer 111W156 is the same as a Consew 226 with reverse? I found a copy of a manual on the singer web site for the 111w156 and looking it over it appears to be basically the same machine. If they are about the same then this manual is a lot better then the one floating around on the internet about the 226, 225. The photographs or better and it has more information on how to service the machine. Thanks in advance Mick

Hello, I hope someone can help with another problem I'm having with my Consew 226. The problem Is this, Every time I try to change my stitch length, my safety clutch kicks in and puts the machine in free running mode. Bob with Toledo Industrial sewing machines has worked with me for the last 10 days or so off and on trying to help me correct this problem, but I apparently am not understanding his advise or the machine has other problems. I've called Bob so many times that I am feeling guilty about it, so I thought I would throw it out here and see what happens. What I have done so for, is to loosen the allen screws on the feed eccentric to hopefully free up the screws from the "GIB" thinking they were holding it to tight to be able to work. It was first suggested that I back them out about ¼ turn. I did that and there was no difference. I then backed them out ½ turn and still no difference. Today I released the spring and collar that holds the cam in place, slid the cam over to inspect it. I found the cam had some dirt but not much inside the groove. I cleaned all the parts of any dirt or grime. All parts looked good to me including the little pin, After cleaning all the parts I oiled them and placed them back as they should be or at least the way I found them. I then went to test my stitch length by pushing in the button on the left until it dropped into the groove and by turning the hand wheel towards me, after it dropped into the groove I gave it a little harder turn and the clutch popped just like it did before. I was able to see the cam rotate so I believe it was working, I assume the cam rotates since there is a groove in it that the pin rides in on the eccentric body? I have set the allen screws all the way from tight to backing them off one full turn a quarter turn at a time with no difference as the clutch still pops out. It was even suggested that I adjust the clutch screw so as to set the sensitivity of the clutch. I tried that by turning the screw just a little at a time in both directions and the only thing that happens is when turning the hank crank to change the stitches it gets harder to turn to the point I am afraid I may break something, and also I don't believe it should be that hard to turn under normal use. When I bought the machine it was set at 6 stitches and has remained this way, and I have not been able to change them. I'm sorry for the long post, but I am trying to describe the problem as best I can. I feel this is a pretty simple fix but for some reason I am not getting it. If anyone can throw in their thoughts it would be very much appreciated. Have a great weekend and thanks in advance Mick

Thanks Bob, These links are great just what I was looking for. Like I said on the phone today I am trying to put together a pamplet on just the singer 111 W 155 since a lot of machines are clones of it. I'm hoping to make it advalable to others here on this site thinking it would be useful when working on thier own machines. Thanks again Mick

Thanks Bob, Took me a few trys but worked out fine, not skipping now. I think it just took the curage to dig into it. Mick

Hi Busted, Yep the link worked this time. However it is the same users manual that I have and the only one I have been able to find on the internet. I have found 4 or 5 different sites for a 226 manual but they are all the same one. I would think that there is a repair manual out there somewhere, as service repair people had to work and repair these machines at some point. You would think that Consew would have these in a dusty back room on a shelf. Thanks again for the help and your time Mick

Hi Gregg, Thanks for replying! It appears from your's, Trox's and Busted's replies that the problem is with the timing. My thought on the presser foot was maybe the materal was not feeding right. Ok, so can anyone tell me how to time it in simple words ( I under stand this may not be simple) and a step by step way to time it? I'm up for trying if I could understand how. Some times the names of the parts are confusing so that makes working on it a litte harder not knowing just what they do and me not wanting to mess it up any more then it might be. When I look at the neddle and hook, it looks to me that when the needle is all the way down, the needle starts to rise just a little bit maybe a 16/th of an inch and at that time the tip of the hook is at about the midde of the needle and just above the needle thread and is picking up the bobbin thread. Questions about timing: #1 It's my understanding that the needle is to be all the way down and then bought up about 3/16 of an inch before starting. Is this right or wrong? If i bring my needle up that high then the hook will be past the needle. The other day while timing it we moved the hook back but I can't remember how I did it. I remember taking one or two screws loose and tapping something? #2 At what point should the hook make contact with the needle? #3 How close should the hook be to the needle? Should this be done with a feeler gauge? #4 In my case should I use the needle bar to lower the needle all the way down, rase it the 3/16th, place the hook next to the needle, loosen the needle bar and lower it to the position it at the scarf area and retighten the needle bar? Or something else. In any case it appears that the hook needs to be ajusted back I think. Bob from Toledo sewing machines LTD in Toledo has been a big help, helping me walk through the problems with the machine and I thought I had the timing right but may not have got it just right and it may need some small adjustment to keep it from skipping. Thanks in advance for any help Mick

Thanks busted I cannot get the link to open. It does sound like what I need thou.

Need help with vibrating presser foot Hi everyone! I was hoping that someone could help me with the proper adjustment of my presser foot. I have a Consew 226 with reverse (I think this is called a 226 R 1 ) that I bought about 2 weeks ago and with the help of Bob at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines LTD in Toledo, Ohio over the phone we have fixed most of the problems that the machine had. The problem now is that it is skipping stitches. I believe the timing with the hook and needle is right, but I could be wrong. I’m thinking that the problem is in the adjustment of the presser foot. The only thing I have to go by to try and adjust it is a users manual I downloaded from the internet and it is not very informative and the photograph are not very good ether. The manual says how to set the foot for the timing by loosening two screws on the back side but I can not find these screws so I’m thinking maybe my machine is an earlier are later model year. The manual is also confusing in that it says to ( “loosen the two screws U, fig. 6” ) and adjust the rotating position of the cam (“ V, fig. 6” ) faster or slower as may be desired. And tighten ” the screw”. So I don’t know if I’m looking for one screw or two. I also don’t really know what they mean by “set the lift of the alternating presser feet equal” Any help would be very helpful to me, like I said I’ve had this machine for two weeks now and have not been able to use it. Sure would like to make something with it. Thanks in advance Mick

Thanks Bob, I'll try thier web site. Going to get this one out of the garage and get it running again. haven't used it in about 5 or 6 years. I'll oil it up and see what parts I need and get back with you. Yes it is an easy machine to use, allmost like just set and sew. LOL Thanks again Mick

Not sure how to use the forum so I put my update here. Ok, things are looking better! Wife a little happer now also! I did the NO, NO, Idea, took a small plastic rod, and used the handle end of a screw driver as a hammer, had the wife hold the hand wheel and gave it a few light taps, worked like a charm. Now the bobbin case is free and turning smoothly. Made the wife a little happer. I think she thinks I bought a lemon LOL! Ok got the bobbin case free, inserted a new needle and checked that the hook was running about where it should. loaded the bobbin and tryed the pick up of the bobbin with the top thread.I had a hard time picking up the bobbin thread with the neddle all the way down but it does pick up the bobbin thread with the neddle in the up position. Ok so for so good, I put some materal in it and tried to sew and get nothing, no stiches at all in the materal. So for this is as for as I have gotten. As for as tenstion goes, I had the top thread pretty tight but the bobbin tenstion is pretty loose. I know I need to play with the tenstion on both ends to get it just right, but not being use to the machine make it a little hard for me. The little screw that tightens the tenstion on the bobbin is screwed in all the way but I got a new one yesterday when I got the right needles for the machine so I guess I need to replace it before I go any further. I don't know if I lost my timing or not and not sure how to time it or if I can. Also can someone tell me how tight to have the motor pully belt, when I hook up the belt to the machine it make the hand wheel really had to turn, also if I losen the belt will it help to slow the machine down. This machine is fast or at least i'm not use to it yet. ( been a long time since I used a machine. Thanks to everyone for the help so for! Mick PS: After looking at some of the leather you all do, I think you have me hooked to try some leather work! Some really nice work. I'll be asking questions on how to get started after I get the machine going.

I have an old singer 78-3 machine. I have owned it for years but never really knew much about it. I used it in my shop years ago and kept it after selling my other machines. It quit stiching about 5 years ago and it has sat in the garage since then. I just this week replaced it with a consew 226, and plan to get it running again soon. It used to lay down great looking stiches. Anyone know how old is it? I'm thinking about 100 years old.. Thanks Mick

Hi Sandy, Thanks for replying and concerns to help. I think your english is better then mine. I may have done upholstery in the past but I never worked an my machines much except for little things to keep it running. At that time there was a man that worked on machines here in town and he came around every few weeks and would tune them up, if one broke down and I needed it running quickly I could call him and he would come by and fix the machine. Those days are long gone, as there is nobody that I know of around my area to work on machines now. Thanks again! Mick

Hi Bob, thanks for the quick reply with help. I'm not sure i'm understanding correctly sense i'm not use to all the names of the parts but I think I can figure it out. I'm not sure what you are reffering to by the needle plate. What I have done so far is realined the hook thingy ( I hate to use this word but I don't know at this time what it is called I think this may be what you are calling the hook.) so the bobbin case can hit it so I would be able to put a little presure on the case to help break it free by rocking the machine back and forth by the hand wheel. So for that has not helped and I have not applied a lot of preasure or forced it in fear of breaking something. I also applied machine oil to the sides, and bottom of the bobbin case. I also can not find any thread or anything else that may be keeping it from turning. It appears to me that the bobbin case is in there pretty tight, is there another way to break it free? I bet this is a NO, NO but is there a way to use a peice of plastic to gentley tap the bobbin case to help free it, if so how do I hold the suttle from turning? It looks to me that freeing up the bobbin case is the frist thing I need to do, and work on the other problems. In my area I do not have any repair person to work on these type machines so I well have to try to do it myself. Bob, would it be ok to call you? If so let me know what times are best for you. I also believe I will need some new part for the machine. Thaks again for your time, it means a lot to me. Mick

Hi everyone, i"m new to this fourm and I must say it is a great place seems like there are alot of very nice people on here. I've learned alot about my machine in the last two days just from reading the post here. I posted a question last night and received a reply this morning, that was super quick. I bought this machine about a week ago and have not been able to use it due to a few problems with some of them due to me not knowing how to use it. I was hoping someone here could help get it up and running. I bought the machine in hopes of doing some auto upholstery and think it will do what I need to do. I used to be in the auto upholstery busness about 30 years ago and have a few projects of my own I would like to do. After looking at all different stuff on the internet I see that the auto upholstery business has really changed. My problem is with my shultte and bobbin area. Yesterday as I was trying to run the machine the shuttle locked up a few times and I had to use the button to release it, that worked out ok until the last time it happed, after unlocking it the whole machine locked up except for about a half turn in either direction. I found that the hook thingy ( don't know the proper name for this ) on the outside edge towards the front was blocking the shuttle from turning as it was up aginest the triangle tab on the bobbin case. Ok so I took out the hook thingy and now the shuttle will turn, so I put the hook thingy back in and it appears to be in at a different angle as it does not hit the bobbin case triangle (tab) part at all and now the bobbin and the shuttle turn at the same time together. So one of my questions is "should the bobbin turn freely in the shuttle or turn with the shuttle"? I have a friend that has a Juki 563 I believe, it looks all most the same as my 226 consew so I went over to look at his and his bobbin turns only to the point where the triangle tab part on the bobbin case hits the hook thingy in either direction because the hook thingy stops the bobbin case from turning with the shuttle. I also have an old shuttle that was in a box of extra stuff when I bought the machine with the tip broke off, on that one the bobbin case turns separte from the shuttle. I could be wrong but my way of thinking is the bobbin case needs to be somewhat stationary but flexable are you can't get any tenision from it, If this is not right someone please tell me how it is sopposed to work. Any help someone can give would be very much helpfull as I am at the end of my rope on this trying to get it to sew. I should add that before I bought it, it was sewing and working as it should so I must have caused the problem but don't know how I did it, but I think it was when I tried to change the size of my stitches. . Can someone tell me what the hook thingy is really called? Sorry for such a long post but I did not know how else to discribe the problem. I hope all this is making sense. Thanks in advance Mick

Thanks Doug & Bob for the quick replies. This is a great site, I just found it yesterday and have learned more about my machine in one day then I have in a week looking at other sites. You guys and Gals really know your stuff!!! Bob, are you saying to just push the button down until it goes into the groove and then just dial in the number for the stitch and let the button up? When I do it this way the button is still in the groove and it seems to me it should pop out to hold the number at the correct spot, anyway that is what I have been trying to do so I gues I have been doing it wrong. I'm new to the board so would it be better to move my questions to a new topic so it does not get lost with other post? I have a few more problems that I sure could use some help with. I'm not a sewing machine guy but can figure it out with some expert advice. Thanks again I'll try it like you said. Mick

Hello everyone, newbe here and first post hope I do it right. I just bought an older 226 consew myself ans am having trouble getting it up and going. I hope spmeone here can help me. I am having all the same problems as the above poster is having plus I can't figure out the stich button. The manual I downloaded for it is for a 226r1 I believe which is different ten my machine. Mine has a reverse but only says consew 226 in it. The manual says to push down the left button until it snaps into something and then you dial in the stich size you prefer then line that number up with the same number on the wheel of the machine, mine does not have any number to line up with thats why I think it is an older model. when I push down on the button and it snaps into whatever and I dial in my number what do I do next? Evertime I try it the machine reverts to about 20 stiches to the inch and just stops up the bobbin area. Also another problem is that when I do get it to stich the stiches do not look streat they seem to be runing at an angle. I also seen that the needle is just barly hitting the side of the medal under the feeder block just a little, this don't seem right to me. Any help some could give would help me a bunch as I live in an area that has no one to work on these mechines. hanks in advance Mick