CPeter

There is an alignment issue with brazing it. That would be too easy. I did find a "fix" used by Ken Jer­rems in Aus­tralia and this is a link to that information: http://alasdair.muckart.net/files/KenJerrems29k13/EngineeringDrawings/SINGERTENSIONLIFTRODMODS2.pdf I am going to try that. I do have a metal lathe and milling machine, so this is feasible. The alignment issue is that there is a "fin" on the bar the slides in a groove in the head and the arm must be perfectly positioned to correctly work the tension release. The threaded stud method allows the arm to be rotated to get the correct alignment. I think I will have to machine off a bit of the rod and put a flat washer on both sides of the arm to overcome the wear on the end of the arm. Thank you for the suggestions. BTW, I did replace the check lever spring and that did help with the birdnesting, but I think the tension lifter will also help in creating the correct stitch. Peter

The joint on the top of the rod shown in the image below is loose and the arm does not lift the tension spring properly which I think affects the stitch. Does anyone have an idea on how to repair the loose joint. It is peened over like a rivet. Peter

I have a Singer 29-4 that works well most of the time, but when pushing it to its limits on heavy leather, it "bird nests" or won't pull the loop back. It appears that the problem is the check lever spring. I have added some extra tension with a rubber band wrapped around the rocker arm and spring and this seems to help. I also have noticed that later models of this machine have an adjustment in the check lever tension. Is there a way to control this on a 29-4 and am I on the right track. Other than this, the machine work well and I enjoy using it. Peter James