Singer 29K73 Stitch Length Problem

[AHammer]

Hello I have a singer 29k73 patch machine that i cant get to adjust the stitch length from 10 stitches per inch to 5 stitches per inch everything seems to be free and it doesn't doing anything when i adjust the stitch length behind the needle bar. is there anyone that can help me and another thing i found a pearson #6 stitcher are they a good sewing machine for sewing saddle skirts and stuff? thank you

[Wizcrafts]

There are other things that affect the stitch length on all patchers. Check these parts:

1. Presser foot has inadequate pressure (increase spring pressure on top)
2. Presser foot has insufficient lift to allow material to be fed (move sliding block whichever way increases lifting of foot during stitching)
3. Teeth are ground down, meaning the foot can't feed the material (replace foot)
4. The mechanism that causes the feed to occur is worn down (replace the revolving feed mechanism under the head).
5. The jib adjuster on the back of the foot bars is missing or has been damaged (replace sliding stitch length jib)

Edited March 13, 2012 by Wizcrafts

[Art]

If you can get a decent price on the Pearson 6 and it is in reasonable shape jump on it. Probably one of the best harness machines made. Will work for saddle skirting too. It is a square feed jump foot machine. Leighton's still has parts and knows those machines well.

Art

Hello I have a singer 29k73 patch machine that i cant get to adjust the stitch length from 10 stitches per inch to 5 stitches per inch everything seems to be free and it doesn't doing anything when i adjust the stitch length behind the needle bar. is there anyone that can help me and another thing i found a pearson #6 stitcher are they a good sewing machine for sewing saddle skirts and stuff? thank you

[amuckart]

I'd write a longer answer but Wiz and Art have pretty much said it all.

I'd get hold of Bob at Toledo Industrial and buy a new stitch length adjustment assembly, new foot, new feed motion bell and feed motion bell crank lever.

Those are the parts most often worn beyond recovery on 29k machines. If you can pop the needle bar out (requires a pin punch, a block, and a bit of fiddling, but you'll need to do it to replace the aforementioned parts anyway) look and see if the check spring inside it isn't broken. It has been on all my 29s.

Buy the #6 if you can afford it, they're amazing. Beware, they'll spoil you for anything else and parts and needles for them are pricey, but they're entirely worth it IMO.