Share Report post Posted July 20, 2010 We just bought a 31-15 for $135.00 and it worked great until I tried to sew a few stitches. The bobbin thread got all messed up, I ahd to pull the piece with thread up out of the dogs and now the needle will not pick up the bobbin thread. The gentleman that sold it to us showed us how to "time" the needle bar but now I can not remember what the "shuttle point" is. I read numerous pieces taht tells me to put the needle (when fully down) at 1/16" inch at shuttle point. Can some one tell me wht and where that is? I know what the shuttle is but do not know where the "shuttle point" is. Thanks so much we are so anxious to start using the machine! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Report post Posted July 20, 2010 After the needle goes all the way down and starts back up, the thread makes a loop. The shuttle point catches that loop and passes the loop around the shuttle which contains the bobbin. If you look at the end of the machine, the bobbin case fits in the shuttle and the shuttle is the part that moves as you turn the hand wheel. I think in the 31-15, the point is kind of hidden by other parts and may be hard to see. Good luck Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
busted Report post Posted July 20, 2010 We just bought a 31-15 for $135.00 and it worked great until I tried to sew a few stitches. The bobbin thread got all messed up, I ahd to pull the piece with thread up out of the dogs and now the needle will not pick up the bobbin thread. The gentleman that sold it to us showed us how to "time" the needle bar but now I can not remember what the "shuttle point" is. I read numerous pieces taht tells me to put the needle (when fully down) at 1/16" inch at shuttle point. Can some one tell me wht and where that is? I know what the shuttle is but do not know where the "shuttle point" is. Thanks so much we are so anxious to start using the machine! I found this link to an operators manual for your machine I hope it helps. http://www.bootmaker.com/31-17_18_21.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeeperaz Report post Posted July 23, 2010 I know what the shuttle is but do not know where the "shuttle point" is. It's the pointy/sharp looking end of the shuttle hook. Do a google image search for shuttle hook and you will see the obvious pointed end of a shuttle. Turn the wheel toward you until the needlebar is on its upstroke and the point of the shuttle is in the center of the eye of the needle. Adjust the needlebar so that the eye of the needle is one-sixteenth of an inch below the shuttle point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Share Report post Posted July 23, 2010 OMG thanks so much! Will Google it now. We just bought the machine and can not use it! It's the pointy/sharp looking end of the shuttle hook. Do a google image search for shuttle hook and you will see the obvious pointed end of a shuttle. Turn the wheel toward you until the needlebar is on its upstroke and the point of the shuttle is in the center of the eye of the needle. Adjust the needlebar so that the eye of the needle is one-sixteenth of an inch below the shuttle point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeeperaz Report post Posted July 23, 2010 OMG thanks so much! Will Google it now. We just bought the machine and can not use it! Good luck. I know your pain. I had all sorts of troubles when I purchased mine.... including not knowing how to sew. This link below has the best timing instruction I've been able to find on the 31 series machines. The website is horribly formatted but the info is there... http://www.tpub.com/content/aviation/14218/css/14218_183.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Share Report post Posted July 24, 2010 Ok, so now I know what the shuttle point is, thanks so all taht replied! We tried to time the needlebar, now, our shuttle hooks are at approximately 8 oclock when the needle is at its furthest downstroke. WHen we move the needle so it is in the correct position, the needle hits the feed dogs. We took the WHOLE shuttle area apart and tried to reposition the shuttle hooky thing, it only will go back on one way. We can now take that part apart with our eyes closed and hands behind our back..... . Another story, apparently the person that owned the machine before us took it apart and when putting back together put a 4-40 fine thread screw in, that wouldn't hold, so we hae spent all last night and most of today looking for the 6-40 fine thread. If anyone else ever has that problem, go to a gun smith, they use the 6-40 to attach scopes! Hope this little tidbit helps someone someday! ANyone give us some insight on the shuttle being in the correct position. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites