29K71 Needle Hook Timing

[Santaclaws]

Hi, I have a Singer 29K71 that I can't get to stitch. I have adjusted the hook so it rests where it should. The problem is that the hook is retarded. It is not until the needle has ascended over a half inch before the hook moves to pick up the thread loop which of course is no longer there. The rack is all set up as per the user manual, the needle and foot feed action match eachother and the machine turnd smoothly and easily. Can any one advise how to get the hook and needle in sync? Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mark, New Zealand

[Wizcrafts]

There is a very small set screw that tightens the shuttle driver to the rack/pinion gear driven shaft that turns it. The shuttle pinion gear is underneath and is driven by alternating rack gears. If the set screw in the shuttle is loose, and/or if the hole in which is sits has worn oval, the timing will be lost, or flakey at best.

Move the patcher so that you can see the back side of the arm, near the left end. You should find a small hole in the arm, big enough for a thin blade screwdriver. Rotate the hand wheel very slowly, while shining a light into that hole, until you see the slotted head of the set screw appear. Open the throat plate and see if the shuttle and bobbin case are in the timed position. If not, rotate them by hand until they are just behind the needle. Then use a thin blade screw driver to tighten the screw as much as possible. Observe the geometry of the hole around the screw to see if it has worn oblong.

If a loose set screw was the problem, your machine should now be close to being timed. If the hole in the shuttle driver is also worn oblong, nothing will keep in in time. If the screw head is stripped and you cannot tighten it up, order a replacement. If the shuttle is worn, replace it.

[Santaclaws]

Thanks Wizcrafts. I have removed and inspected the hook carrier - no wear to thread or holes in the hook carrier assembly. I see that there is no adjustment for the hook carrier in the rack box but that it is adjusted using the eccentric scrww located through the hole in the lower part of the main pillar casting. I have adjusted this so that when the hook carrier is in its pause position it crosses over approx 1/3rd of the needle groove (as per the adjustment shown in the user manual). The problem is that the timing of the hook carrier does not match the timing of the needle bar and walking foot. So I am looking for a way to adjust the relationship between the main upper shaft and the rod that drives the rack box. There's a very large screw head on the back side of the machine that I thought may turn an eccentric which somehow adjusts the main shaft/rack box rod timing? The main rod is about 1/8th of a turn ahead of the rack box rod ie the needle is raised higher than it should be before the hok comes around to pick up the thread. Any further help greatly appreciated. Regards, Mark

[Santaclaws]

Also - the hook is in great condition (in fact I have 2, both are in geat condition and I have tried both). Of course if they don't move until the needle has ascended there is no thread loop for the hook anyway! The machine is in very good order, all moving parts run smooth and without play including hook carrier, racks, pinion, hook, needle bar etc.....

[Wizcrafts]

It sounds like your shuttle driver gear is out of sync with the needle bar. There are only two places that can adjust this relationship on a patcher. One is the eccentric screw connecting a rod inside the body to the rack gears. It is accessed through a big hole on the lower front of the main body. Turning the large flat slotted screw moves the shuttle. The second place is underneath, where the rack gears turn the shuttle gear. You may need to change the position of the shuttle gear, or maybe even the passive rack gear.

[Santaclaws]

Thanks Wiz, yes the needle bar and hook pinion gear are out of sync. I've done all I can with the eccentric accessed through the hole in the front of the machine and it doesn't solve the problem. Being a later model patcher (29K71) the rack box consists of the pinion gear and 2 racks only - no pasive gear. There is only 1 way to assemble the racks and pinion gear so there is no adjustment there. Do you know what the large screw head on the back side of the machine is for? Thanks, Mark

Edited January 7, 2014 by Santaclaws

[silverbullet]

Try contacting Bob at Toledo sewing machine. He's usually on here, if he can't help no one can. He's the go to guy on these old babies . His banner pops up on top of the page you can send him an email just give him a little time sometimes he's very busy. He helped me with my 29-4 singer and my Adler 30-1 patchers . I think he can fix them in the dark or blind folded a wiz because he works on them . I like to call him a friend too. Silver bullet

[Santaclaws]

Thanks - I'll do that.

[CowboyBob]

Here's some timing info.