Stitch Length On Singer 111W151-Need Advice

[Constabulary]

We'll shut, still not loose but I did break the timing belt :-(. Just ordered a new one. I was thinking if taking some spark plug gaping gauges and trying to gently work those in between the wheels. What do you think?

I have loosen the screws (I was curious what behind the wheel is) and there is nothing you can damage. The spring just pushes the plunger wheel against the adjuster and it just fits in one position. But I have to say that I had it adjusted to the longest stitch length before I disassembled it. I assembled it again in less than a minute. I´m still learning new things about my machine - nice lesson for me and I have found an other spot I have to clean.

I have taken some pictures just for the case you are scared.

I hope this helps

Edited July 21, 2014 by Constabulary

[patches]

Well, my timing belt is here. I have marked everything and removed the hand wheel. I loosened the two set screws on the inside of the machine nearest the wall of the machine. Sooooo now I am stuck. When you say bushing would that be the large round piece which appears to house some ball bearings? If so should I use a small flat punch to gently drive it out. Sorry for all the questions but the owners manual I have is not very clear about this.

[Constabulary]

Yes that is the bushing. It may sit very tight in there. Only tap on the outside and not on the part that was secured on the upper shaft. I have attached a picture from my restoration

Edited July 29, 2014 by Constabulary

[patches]

Got it. Thank you so much. It is sewing beautiful and my stitch length adjustment is working. Now I am going to start on my singer 294. Wish me luck :-)

[Constabulary]

You are welcome! Nice to hear that everything works!

Singer 294 - I guess you have a 29-4, right?

[AluminumAcres]

Great thread, I am slowly learning my machine. I am also having problems with my stitch length setting.

My first question, what components of the lower assembly should move when the button is engaged? I turn my hand wheel, and things are not moving, then if I reverse direction, then the assembly is moving, even though the plunger is still depressed.... My timing is getting thrown off too. My needle is going up and down, but the timing belt at the bottom is losing its place with the markings. I am going to loosen and clean the area shown in the thumbnails above next.

Thanks!

[Constabulary]

When you are holding down the plunger and turn the hand wheel you sooner or later you push the plunger in a notch. Then when you look at the lower shaft while turning the hand wheel the entire lower shaft with clutch and hook gears are moving. Inside the stitch length adjustment "thing" is a kind of wedge thats regulates the stitch length. But this should not throw off your timing. Is it possible that your safety clutch has released?

[AluminumAcres]

Thank you! That was it! I took apart just like in your earlier photos, and the adjuster wheel was totally stuck. I cleaned everything, oiled, and reassembled. Now by holding the clutch release wheel and turning, I could see how everything should work, and had the problem isolated to my timing belt gear. Long story longer, I found a video late last night showing how to adjust the safety clutch, and realized as you so wisely stated, my safety was released. I had no clue. Mine did not have a screw, just metal pins. I hammered out pins, cleaned, reassembled except for a tiny spring that somehow keeps the little release part in place. Seems really hard to operate, but I am guessing if too easy, it would disengage unnecessarily.

I am enjoying working on this machine. I knew I would need to be able to repair on my own, too far away from any repair place and machine is a tad heavy!

Thanks again!

[hyttogpine]

AluminumAcres

So nice for you. That you find the last step stone (a video) to solve your problems.

Would it be hard for you to publish the video link.

[Constabulary]

I guess this is the video - it´s from LW Member gottaknow (Eric).