Singer 29k1 presser foot doesn't work

[MelissaViarengo]

Hi everyone! 

Recently I bought online this Singer 29k1 sewing machine but there is a problem. 

As I start sewing the presser foot won't pull back the fabric underneath it, basically it turns out that the machine sews in the same point.

Can somebody help me out? I will post a link with the photos.

Also I noticed that the bar with the stitch length doesn't have numbers and signs on it regulating the length.

[Constabulary]

Hope this helps 😉

[MelissaViarengo]

Hi! I fixed the tab and I will post pictures but It still doesn't take back the fabric, I tried with two layer of leather and also with only one but it still has this issue. Also I don't know if it has to be like this but the tab moves if I push up the bar with my finger. I don't know if it's also part of the problem but even if it was screwed in the previous position that was incorrect, the tab moved free as I moved with my finger. Also the presser foot is up in the photos. 

[Constabulary]

you probaly have chosen a short stitch lenght or the bell crank lever is worn down (or both). Maybe teeth on the presser foot are dull / worn down.

Also theck if the "gib" on the stitch lenght adjuster is installed correctly. See pictures here:

Edited 8 hours ago by Constabulary

[Wizcrafts]

I would lower the stitch length gib until it just hits the top of the foot when it is in the manually raised resting position. This is the highest position the foot can reach and the longest stitch length setting possible for this type of machine.

With the foot lifted by the lift lever, push and pull on it to see how much slop is in the mechanism. If it has noticeable slack motion, that translates into lost stitch length. The thicker the material, the greater the loss of stitch length no matter how tight or loose the foot drive parts happen to be.

Remove the needle for this item! With the foot lifted, rotate the balance wheel towards you from the top. Verify that the foot moves forward then backward. Hold the front of the foot by the legs and see if it still pulls backward under a slight resistance of your hand on it. If it fails to pull back, the feed motion cam is worn beyond viability and must be replaced or rebuilt by someone with welding or soldering skills. Otherwise, move on to the next item.

Lower the foot lift lever and check to see if the bottom of the foot is in contact with the throat plate. It must be in contact if it is to sew thin materials. The movable slider on the back takes care of how high the foot lifts as it moves forward to pull the material. If it doesn't go all the way down, something is interfering with its up-down motion. It could have to do with the next item.

Make sure you have a decent amount of spring pressure on the foot! Tighten the thumbscrew on the middle of the big spring along the back to add more pressure, and vice-versa.

Make sure there are sharp teeth on the foot. Dull feet won't feed most materials, or slick leather. You can hammer or rub out the tooth marks later on.

So, make sure that the lowered foot goes all the ways down, then lifts up to the height set by the lifter on the back. Verify that the foot feed motion cam is moving the foot backward as the machine turns over.

Know that parts specific to this model (-4) are obsolete. Most people have to find donor machines to strip parts from, or have parts repaired or modified. Pray that the little gears inside the arm are still good!