Singer 111W155

[Dan_IN_MN]

I have my late dad's Singer 111W155 commercial sewing machine. He purchased it new in the early 50's. It's sown a lot. 

One day it wouldn't stitch. Needle wouldn't go through the hole in the feed dog. In fact the needle bar and feed dog don't move together. Broke the needle. I'm the only one who uses the machine. I've looked the machine over for something loose or broken and didn't find anything. The timing belt is in time and in good condition. 

The military manual hasn't been much help. Some of the pictures are messed up.

I made a short video attempting to show what happening. 

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

Dan_In_MN

Link to video. 

https://youtu.be/tBfok3Zu-Vk?si=d66XIaR5rbtZs0Af

[Wyowally]

I also have the same machine, redone by me with help from others on this forum. I am not near it and won't be for a while. My first thought is the main pinch screw (the big-headed one) in the exposed linkage on the back let slip. Not common, but it does squeeze a clamp, so unwanted rotation is possible. Next thought is lubrication dried out if it has sat for years. Another possibility is something moved in the internal feed eccentric that also adjusts the two feet and their movement and relationships. I did find the military manual I have pretty useful. On YT, search for Uwe Grosse and his videos - not all specific to Singers, but also the other machines of nearly identical design. I found this very good. 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Thank you for the response! Much appreciated!

This machine has been pretty much trouble free in my lifetime. 

Were you able to watch the video?

I downloaded and printed the military manual and some illustrations were scrambled.

Lubrication drying out? Does the needle bar get moved by a cam? Gets pushed on way and spring return? I'm attempting to wrap my head around how dried lubrication can cause the needle bar to act this way.

 

Dan

Edited 21 hours ago by Dan_IN_MN

[AlZilla]

I have a couple of this class machine but haven't run into this problem. Forgive me if you've done this, but it seems like popping that cover off and turning it by hand should yield some kind of clue. Just observing and following the mechanism back. 

I poked around a bit and couldn't find any videos on adjusting the needle bar position other than height.

Tomorrow if it's warm in the craft room I'll look at mine and see if anything jumps out at me. Now I'm curious, too.

[Dan_IN_MN]

Thank you!

I've removed covers and have attempted to find something out of the ordinary.

Were you able to watch the video I posted about the issue?

Looking forward to hearing what you find.

 

Dan

[friquant]

21 hours ago, Dan_IN_MN said:

the needle bar and feed dog don't move together.

Is the handwheel easy to turn?

Have you oiled the machine? (Do add some oil if not)

Does the needle bar move front to back if you push it with your hands?

 

You will need to find the clamp that Wyowally references and verify that it is indeed moving the "needle bar rock frame rock shaft" as singer calls it. We are looking for the clamp at the far right end of that shaft.

8 hours ago, Wyowally said:

"My first thought is the main pinch screw (the big-headed one) in the exposed linkage on the back let slip."

If the clamp is loose, tighten it. Make sure the clamp and the rock shaft both move together when you turn the handwheel. If neither the shaft nor the clamp move when you turn the handwheel, flip the machine on its back and inspect the parts underneath that drive that clamp.

 

If the shaft does move but still no movement at the needle bar, take the left end cover off the machine and find the crank arm at the left end of that shaft. Here's a photo of my singer 144W103 with the needle bar rock frame removed, and the yellow arrow points to the crank arm you want to check for movement.

[AlZilla]

I did watch the video. I had to go look at my 153. I found the clamp in the attached pic that looks like it would affect the position of the needle bar. Haven't a clue. Yet.

 

 

EDIT: The part number is Simanco 202666 and comes back as "Rock Frame Position Bracket". Do we have a winner?

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Found the issue. The shaft running along the bottom of the head is really stiff! I can move it the offset on it by prying it back and forth. I'm guessing this should move easily. I want to get the shaft out and clean it and the bore it goes in. Is there any mechanical object holding that shaft in the head once the parts are removed from both sides?

I have been able the tap it out a bit, but don't want to force it if something needs to be removed such as a set screw. 

Thank you for all of the input each and everyone!

[CowboyBob]

This shaft has a clamp on the other end that you need to loosen only when your setting the needlebar to match the feed dog.Otherwise it should be tight & only move when you turn the handwheel.There's a hole on the backside of the casting to access the big screw on the clamp.

[Dan_IN_MN]

I have the clamp off.

If this is the case, I'll tap the shaft out to front from the access hole on the pulley side. Clean things up and reassemble.

I'll report back.

Thinking back, memory is fading, I recall at one point the machine was difficult to turn over. 

Thanks again!

Dan where the frost is on the pumpkins in the mornings.