Seiko stw-8b/Consew 226 belt guard removal, and position of reverse lever, screw in balance wheel

[trash treasure]

  OK -

#2 - I'm thinking you mean the threaded hole in the handwheel end of the top shaft ?  There's usually a screw there to help adjust the end play - You snug up the screw to get the end play right, and then tighten the set screws on the hand wheel to hold the adjustment. The screw is only needed to help the adjustment - The set screws are actually the the things that hold the handwheel in place - You can also do the adjustment by just tapping the wheel carefully, and then tightening the screws.

#3 - If you look at where the reverse lever is attached to the shaft coming out of the lower right end of the machine casting (Clearly visible in your photo, BTW), you see that the lever is clamped to the shaft with a simple pinch bolt - Just loosen the bolt, and you can adjust the position of the lever, on the shaft,  in or out, up or down, to suit your preference.

Also, by the looks of the handwheel, there was probably a special factory puller, that screwed into those 3 radial holes, and then took a center bolt threaded in to push the wheel off the top shaft - Often the way this kind of thing is done, so you'll just have to improvise, lacking that puller

[Peasantlizzie]

7 hours ago, trash treasure said:

  OK -

#2 - I'm thinking you mean the threaded hole in the handwheel end of the top shaft ?  There's usually a screw there to help adjust the end play - You snug up the screw to get the end play right, and then tighten the set screws on the hand wheel to hold the adjustment. The screw is only needed to help the adjustment - The set screws are actually the the things that hold the handwheel in place - You can also do the adjustment by just tapping the wheel carefully, and then tightening the screws.

#3 - If you look at where the reverse lever is attached to the shaft coming out of the lower right end of the machine casting (Clearly visible in your photo, BTW), you see that the lever is clamped to the shaft with a simple pinch bolt - Just loosen the bolt, and you can adjust the position of the lever, on the shaft,  in or out, up or down, to suit your preference.

Also, by the looks of the handwheel, there was probably a special factory puller, that screwed into those 3 radial holes, and then took a center bolt threaded in to push the wheel off the top shaft - Often the way this kind of thing is done, so you'll just have to improvise, lacking that puller

Ah thank you so much, that's very helpful! Yes that threaded hole in the handwheel end of the top shaft is what I was referring to. So it sounds as if it doesn't matter too much that it's missing? Although maybe I should get one.

I did wonder if that bolt on the reverse lever was what I should be adjusting; I will have a go. Makes you wonder why someone didn't do it instead of letting it cause that damage.

I had wondered what those other 3 screw holes were for, so thank you for the explanation.

I have read your reply out to my husband and he thinks a motorcycling friend might have a puller.

Hopefully I shall soon be able to tell you all that I've got the wheel - and wretched belt guard! - off.

[Peasantlizzie]

Hello again

I just thought I'd let you all know that the machine is now up and running (still practising on it though, taking it slowly) minus the belt guard! I was downstairs one day and heard some banging coming from upstairs. I'd talked to my husband about removing the guard and guessed that was what he was up to. I left him to it! He did it - he's had some experience of farm machinery and although I can't repeat his explanation of how he did it I know it involved the strategic placing of coins! After some more cleaning he got it back on as well and everything seems OK. 

Then I practised with the stitch length regulator on some card,  and then with real thread and fabric and all seems to work OK.

I'm so pleased as this machine is a new experience for me and I was worried I'd taken on something I couldn't handle. 

 

Thank you all for your help!

 

Lizzie, UK