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 August 24 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!

[MelissaViarengo]

Hi! I tried to do as you told me and if I hold the foot by the legs it pulls backward but the same amount of space as when I try with a piece of leather. When I lower the foot lift lever the bottom of the foot if in contact with the throat plate. 

I'll post some pictures so you can tell me if something is wrong. I am thinking to take apart the head to see better the insides. 

 

 

[Wizcrafts]

@MelissaViarengo

You have the stitch length adjuster way up high on the foot driving bars. That position gives the shortest stitches. Lower the adjuster by loosening the round thumbscrew. You can set it for its maximum stitch length by raising the foot lift lever and lowering the adjuster, aka regulator all the way until it just touches the top of the raised foot. After lowering the stitch regulator, tighten the lock screw to keep it there. You should be able to get almost 5 stitches per inch in about 5 ounces of shoe upper leather. Anything less indicates excessive wear in the foot driving cam that rides inside the big round ring on the bottom of the head. There is a stud shape sticking out of that cam that rides inside the round ring. When the ring moves down, it pushes on the dtud and that causes the foot to get pushed back to pull the material.

[MelissaViarengo]

I put the stitch length adjuster as you told me, so now it touches the top of the raised foot. I tried with the same two layers of leather and it still won't work. Then I tried with a piece of knit fabric way much lighter in weight and thickness and the machine transported the fabric very well. Then I tried with a piece of felt, the machine stitched me one stitch transporting the fabric but then it strarted sewing on the same spot as before and only if I applied a bit of pressure pushing the fabric the foot would take it back. I don't know if it just a problem of adjusting the pressure to the material at this point. I would really like to avoid taking apart the head of the machine as I am afraid I won't be able to put it back together.

Thank you for the patience

[friquant]

I've never used a patcher. But I've read that these are fed only by the presser foot. Here are some questions for troubleshooting:

1. How much pressure is the presser foot exerting on the fabric? (If it's not pressing hard enough it won't advance the fabric)
2. With the needle removed and the presser foot up, how smooth is the throat plate? (Must be smooth in order for fabric to slide across it) Is there anything the fabric is catching on? You should be able to slide material across it easily with the presser foot up.
3. What texture exists on the bottom of the presser foot? (Must have some texture to grab the fabric I think)
4. Is the needle coming all the way out of the fabric before the presser foot moves?

Good luck!