yamata fs288 portable walking foot machine

[esantoro]

here's my little portable

[Regis]

Looks just like my consew but, your's has a better paint job.

[esantoro]

I know, I know, you get what you pay for. All is well with this machine but for the fact that the screw that holds the top thread tension wheel in place seems to have been screwed in improperly. It is difficult to either tighten or loosen. Either tightening or loosening seems to risk stripping the screw head,damaging the threads, and perhaps breaking the cast iron around the area.

Yamata has been responsive, but I may I have to ship the 40 lbs. machine across the country to California just to have this screw replaced. Not only will that be pretty expensive, but I bet I'll be without a machine for a while. I could just force the screw out and try to find a better machined screw to replace it, though I'd rather have the factory take all the risk.

Even if I were to fix this problem myself, i'd still need to replace the metal rod that is used to release top thread tension when the presser foot is lifted up. I'll ask, but I don't think Yamata is even willing to send me that metal rod.

Ed

[esantoro]

Regis,

By the way, in some Sailrite pictures the top tension wheel looks different. I think it's the same assembly but with the cap removed. I've also read in the Sailrite manual that that knob assembly can be taken apart and a washer placed at a certain point to allow for even tighter tension.

ed

[esantoro]

I got this machine from unbeatablesale.com. Called them today. They are emailing me a UPS return shipping label, and will replace the machine.

I was surprised to get such good service.

ed

[bcurrier]

Can't really tell from the picture, but is there plastic internal gearing or just ridging on the handwheel for a cogged belt?

Bill

[Regis]

I got this machine from unbeatablesale.com. Called them today. They are emailing me a UPS return shipping label, and will replace the machine.

I was surprised to get such good service.

ed

Ed,

You sure have had "more" than you share of difficulty getting a portable in production. Sure hope this one works out and glad to hear you're getting good customer service. Customer service was non-existant where I got my Consew (specbrands) so I was lucky that everything worked ok.

Best of luck,

Regis

Edited January 25, 2008 by Regis

[esantoro]

I could really use the machine this weekend, but I'm happy I don't have to foot the bill for return shipping.

I could have fixed the tension wheel myself and figured out a way to replace the tension release pin, but why should I risk stripping the threads, head, or both of a Chinese screw on a brand new machine?But it means I'll be with at a light-duty machine for a couple of weeks.

ed

[esantoro]

Can't really tell from the picture, but is there plastic internal gearing or just ridging on the handwheel for a cogged belt?

Bill

Hi Bill,

The machine is all steel, but for that plastic tension wheel I had the problem with. The hand/balance wheel isn't plastic, but it's not steel either. it does not attract a magnet, as do the other parts of the machine. There is a larger steel balance wheel for more torque available from Sailrite for about $120, which I'll be getting soon.

ed

[esantoro]

I know that Sailrite does have great customer service, but I've been pleasantly surprised by Yamata. They sent me replacement parts, few questions asked. All is fixed and I didn't have to ship a 40 lbs. box back to the distributor.

Now I've only got to content the the USPS and my needles for this machine that have gotten lost in the mail.

ed