Hello, I am new to this forum but have been sewing for 30 years. I recently picked up a 1945 Singer 16-188. It's currently set up on a home size treadle base until I can find an industrial treadle for it. I have read over all the posts on this site I could find about the machine and following the info from these posts, have set the machine up with 16-63 needle, 69 thread (I have lots of this around - I use it on a Juki and Kingmax walking foot machines at work - should I try #92?). Bobbin is seems to be wound correctly and I've tired the original housing, a new old stock housing and a brand new housing all with the same results.
I replaced the check spring with new, oiled it (turns smooth and looks to be a well maintained and respectfully used machine). I'm pretty sure I have it threaded correctly and needle inserted properly and fully seated (scarf facing right, groove to the left and thread through needle left to right) and of course I am making sure the hand wheel is moving down towards me or counter-clockwise if looking at it from the end. It will sew and make stitches if I go slow, but with skip with even moderate speed and has a very difficult time sewing a curve - the top thread just lays on to of the material. I have tried various types & thicknesses of material with the same results.
I haven't messed with the timing or any other adjustments other than the stuff mentioned above.
I made a short video to illustrate the problem.
I have already appreciated the info I've learned from all the pros on this site. Looking forward to learning what I'm doing wrong so I can get this old gal stitching again.