Members Brandicandi Posted January 16 Members Report Posted January 16 HI.. I have a 1950's Nelco sewing machine. It was in storage for a few years. I recently had to grab it from storage, because my storage unit was robbed and the thieves stole my main working sewing machine. I pulled it out and attempted to use it. But it was frozen and it would not move at all. It kinda reminded me of a seized motor in a car. I cleaned it and oiled it and slowly worked it loose. I think I was pretty successful for the most part. Because it runs pretty good now. It sounds good and looks good when I push the peddle. It works well as long there's no needle. As soon as I put in the needle, it jams up immediately because the needle colides with shuttle. I fiddled with it a bit and thought I fixed it. For a very brief period I got it to work with out jamming up. So, I threaded it and put a piece of fabric in it. It moved like it supposed to. But the thread on the needle and the bobbin thread didn't connect together to create the stitch. It very quickly reverted back to getting jammed up. And the dog foot looks like it should be pushing fabric thru but the fabric doesn't go anywhere. I need to get it working because I have a few very important projects I need to finish, and even more I need to start. I'm having trouble finding resource information on how to make adjustments or how to do repairs. Does anyone know how I can fix these issues? Or does anyone know of any resources I could look up that will help me find the information I'm looking for? Sorry this thread is so long. Hoping some one can help me figure this out!?!? Quote
Northmount Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 8 hours ago, Brandicandi said: It works well as long there's no needle. As soon as I put in the needle, it jams up immediately because the needle colides with shuttle. I fiddled with it a bit and thought I fixed it. For a very brief period I got it to work with out jamming up. So, I threaded it and put a piece of fabric in it. It moved like it supposed to. But the thread on the needle and the bobbin thread didn't connect together to create the stitch. It very quickly reverted back to getting jammed up. If your machine has a safety clutch, it probably needs to be cleaned and reset. Then set your timing. Quote
Contributing Member friquant Posted January 16 Contributing Member Report Posted January 16 @Brandicandi Good move getting it oiled up and moving again! 🏅 Can you post some photos so we can see what kind of machine you have? Additionally, how about a very close-up video of the needle/feed-dog/shuttle area (with the cover removed). For the video, turn the handwheel as slow as you can without stopping or going backwards...that way we can see it as one fluid motion. Quote friquant. Like a frequent, piquant flyer. Check out my blog: Choosing a Motor for your Industrial Sewing Machine
Members dikman Posted January 16 Members Report Posted January 16 A quick search shows it is a domestic zig-zag machine, also sold as Gertz, Aldens and Bamberger (may be more names?). I found a manual but it's on etsy and isn't free. Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
AlZilla Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 The pictures I found seem to indicate this is one of the gazillion sewing machines produced in Japan starting after WW II. I think they're generically referred to as Japanese Zigzaggers and most of them were good machines. You almost certainly have a hook timing issue. And I wonder if your feed dogs are down. It sounds like you're familiar with sewing machines so you probably know that many machines drop the feed dogs to allow darning and free motion work. Definitely, pictures. Needle area, bobbin area with the cover off, a look behind the front needle bar cover. A peek under the top cover wouldn't hurt. And, how about that underside, while we're at it. This way we can get a good idea exactly what kind of machine we're working on and hopefully give better suggestions. I'd also recommend you to the Quilting Board forum, in the vintage sewing machine section. They're pretty dedicated domestic sewing machine people over there. It's quite likely this machine can be restored to working order unless it's missing some critical part. Quote “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire “Republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotisms.” - Aristotle
Members Brandicandi Posted January 22 Author Members Report Posted January 22 This is the machine Quote
Members Brandicandi Posted January 22 Author Members Report Posted January 22 I also just pulled it out to take the videos and photos requested and oddly enough she is actually stitching. But the stitches are uneven Im hoping it's just tension. Also when first hit the peddle I got turn the hand wheel by hand and then it starts to run. Quote
Members Brandicandi Posted January 22 Author Members Report Posted January 22 I took a video of how it works and sounds. It's amazing the last time I pulled it out the needle was hitting the shuttle. Now it works . I think it still needs to be oiled because sometimes when I hit the peddle I gotta turn the hand wheel to get it go. This time I didn't need to. VID_20260122_002212670.mp4 Quote
Members nejcek74 Posted January 22 Members Report Posted January 22 As it is an old home sewing machine, do you know this forum: https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/ they have some knowledge there Quote
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