Singer 29-3 Presser Foot Won't Rotate

[AlZilla]

17 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

If you can braze bronze rod and file and polish the puck to shape, you can restore the full stitch length for the cost of the propane and a brazing rod.

I can braze but I've ordered the parts and they'll be here in a week or so. I don't have any shoes waiting to be patched so I can wait.  It's lifting and walking, it feeds nice and if I manipulate the foot back and forth while hand cranking it (without thread yet) I can get about 6 stitches per inch.

I've learned a lot about these machines and I'll be on the lookout for more ...

[Ole South]

If the bell crank and feed motion ring don't entirely fix your stitch length, check for play in the Needle Bar Driving (or Lift) Lever (the thing that looks like a old fashion bridge truss that rocks back and forth as you sew).  Specifically, at the handwheel end.  Index your way around as you turn the handwheel alternately pushing and pulling on the rear of that lever or have someone press down(flat hand) firmly on that end of the lever as you sew.  Too much slop or improved stitch length as pressure is applied indicates you have wear there. I've had machines that the guide follower bearing (or Cam Roller) had seized and worn a flat on that bearing. Conversely, well used machines may have worn down the outer dimension and/or the guide it rides in.  You can't do much about the guide but the follower bearing can be replaced.

Thickness of the material sewn will also shorten your stitch so test with a folded piece of canvas or denim to reduce your variables.

[MikeRock]

South, how much play is too much?  My 29-4 has between 0.025" and 0.030" play all around the whole handwheel rotation.

God bless

[Sham]

After I bunch of hassle, my 29-4 still isn’t stitching right, I know the new bell cranks won’t fit, I did the brazing, maybe the motion ring is worn too, I don’t know. 
what about a new motion ring and compatible bell crank? Would that work?

[Ole South]

(@Sham)New bell cranks can be made to work (as can motion rings) it just takes a lot of hand-fitting, grinding/filing and polishing. But before all that...what are the stitch issues you are experiencing? I.E.: length? Missed stitches? Looping? (Sorry if you posted symptoms, I didn't see any in this thread)

(@MikeRock) I will check 29-4, 29k-30 & Adler 301 (where are you measuring your play?)