Singer 211G166 Problem.

[henrye718]

Hello all,

I have this new to me singer 211G166, with a odd problem.

It seems when I adjust stitch length from zero to max the needle hook timing goes off. I have watched the needle and hook at different stitch length settings and the longer the stitch length settings the more the hook timing or needle height goes off.

To give an example at zero stitch length the needle eye will be 1/8th under the hook when at max stitch length it will be 1/8th over the eye and that of course cause thread misses 100% of the time. Somewhere at a little over half way through the range of stitch adjustment the hook starts to miss the thread sometimes and gets worse from there.

I have set the needle bar height, checked the hook timing at zero stitch. Also belt timing. All these settings looked to be fine. I didn't even think what is happening with my machine is possible. It should be locked and unchangeable once set except by means stated in the service manuals.

Is something broken or am I missing a setting?

Thanks in advance.

Edited March 23, 2015 by henrye718

[Constabulary]

Sounds like the safety clutch has released.

maybe this video is helpful:

Edited March 23, 2015 by Constabulary

[CowboyBob]

Here's a pic of a 211 clutch,the a & b lines need to be lined up on the inside hud & the outer pulley for the clutch to put the machine in time.You might need to tighten the 3-screws facing you when you look @ the cltch,these will make it kick out @ a higher torque then it might be set at(when you change the stitch your are knocking the clutch out of time like Constabulary says)

[henrye718]

Thanks you two, I will check tonight and report back.

[henrye718]

Ok so it seems my machine does not have a safety clutch. I guess they made models with and without?

So your suggestions that it was a clutch problem gave me the idea that something was slipping.

I watched the pulleys and gears and could feel some resistance difference in the hand wheel at the end of the stitch length adjustment (about a 1/2in of turn that felt different). While watching the pulleys I noticed a slip of sorts that coincided with what I was feeling in the hand wheel. In the lower pulley it turns out one of the set screws was loose and was allowing the pulley to turn on the shaft just a little bit.

I am happy to report the problem is now gone my timing stays right no matter what I adjust the stitch length to.

I have not yet actually sewed on this machine yet, other than by turning the balance wheel. I have fixed about 8 problems so far, this machine suffers from a lack of maintenance. Slowly but surelty the machine is working better and better. Seems to sew now but I wont know for sure till the new belt arrives and I can actually power it using the motor.

Edited March 24, 2015 by henrye718