Adler 68NT Seized - Any assistance/advice gladly welcomed

[Ian B]

Hi, 

I'm brand new to this web forum and am looking for your help, I'm hoping that you might help resolve the issue I've created with my old Adler 68NT sewing machine.

I bought the machine second hand around 15 years ago whilst studying footwear design here in the UK. I only used it a couple of times to make prototypes for the course. Since then it has been moved around and primary stored in one garage after another.

Last week I began a project where I had need of it. I wanted to use a specific colour thread on my bobbin, so removed the needle and went about spooling up a bobbin. During this process the machine abruptly stopped working and I saw a small plume of smoke from the head of the machine (my apologies for not knowing he correct terms for the parts of the machine, the smoke came from the top of the enclosed area that contains the needle-shuttle and cam mechanism). The smoke was not from an electrical component, so I assume it was from burning lubricant.

My admission, in all the years of owning the machine I have never oiled the machine.

I've taken the head part of the machine apart as far as can (as per attached photo 1).

When I rotate the "hand-wheel" 

• the main cam rotates (highlighted in green in photo 2),  
• the upper pivot rotates (highlighted in cyan in photo 2),
• the lower pivot does not rotate (highlighted in red in photo 2), as a consequence the connecting rod that connects the rotational motion to the vertical needle shuttle (highlighted in red in photo 3) has no angular rotation and thus hits the internal sides of the machine-head. I presume this is the part that has got hot through lack of lubricant and has seized up.

I think I understand the issue (feel free to correct me), however, I cannot see how I can remove this part (or sub assembly) to try to free this pivot-joint up.

Please can I ask for your advice and experience as to how to repair my machine?

Kindest regards, Ian 

  

 

 

[CowboyBob]

Just get some oil on the parts & it will free up on it's own!

[Digit]

Could it be that the whole blue-green-red assembly is only held in place with the blue bolt? From what I understand from your explanation there should only be vertical motion, not lateral; so one bolt at one end of the assembly could be sufficient to hold everything in place.

It's slotted at least, so you could try to loosen it and see if you can wiggle that assembly about.

[nejcek74]

you can also check the adler 68 parts list:

https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/amfile/file/download/file/3091/category/498/