Singer 29-4 Won't Pick Up Bobbin Thread

[gstqfashions]

Hello! I am new to the forums.

I bought a Singer 29-4 about a year ago from an antique store. It was missing a variety of parts including but not limited to the tension assembly, vibrating presser spring (and associated wing nut, slide block, washer, etc), and the table extension. After much cleaning and eBay searching, I have all missing parts accounted for and installed. However, I have run into a bit of a block. I cannot get the machine to pick up my bobbin thread.

I have fussed with the timing gears in the arm of the machine. The needle is able to pick up the bobbin thread with a freshly loaded bobbin, but after I send fabric through, it won't pick up. At one point, I managed to get the machine to sew a few inches of loose stitches, but after that it seemed to give up. I don't know if this indicates extreme wear on the gears (they appear to be in good shape) or if perhaps something has slipped out of place elsewhere?

Beyond the timing gears, I have also checked to make sure I have a fresh, correctly sized needle and bonded #69 weight thread in the top and bottom. All parts are oiled and seem to move freely.

One thing I will note is that the presser foot seems to be awfully far away from my needle when the machine moves. I noticed that the footbar was warped about 1/4". After getting the footbar straightened out, the far distance between the needle and presser foot still persists.

Does anyone have suggestions of other things I could check on this machine that may be causing lack of stitches? Alternatively, are there any particular things with setting the timing that are easy to overlook? This is my first treadle machine, so my experience in this arena is limited to repairs on this machine only.

Thank you!

Edited October 16, 2015 by gstqfashions

[Constabulary]

A few pictures would be good. Maybe the machine is badly worn - the 29-4 are very very old machines. Have you threaded the machine correctly? I´d try to adjust the spring of the shuttle carrier a little bit the way it barely touches the shuttle hook. Or maybe the shuttle hook tip is worn and you have to replace it. You also can adjust the needle holder a little bit, when you loosen the screw that attaches the needle holder to the needle bar you can move the holder a bit sideways.

[Cascabel]

One thing to check is correct bobbin threading. After passing under the spring on the bobbin case, the thread must pass up through the hole in the edge of the bobbin case, or it will not be picked up.

[Rito]

I have the same issue with my machine. The timing gears sometimes lock up and may bust a needle and throw of the shuttle gears. Check the shuttle gears on the cylinder arm the may need to be re-adjusted this video helped me solve my issue: https://youtu.be/aQLre-l5RkU

[gstqfashions]

Here is a photo of where the presser foot sits in relation to the needle. This is about as close as it gets, and it definitely doesn't look right to me. The foot bar is going through the machine head, attached to the foot bar revolving joint via a small pin. I'm not sure if there is somehow another way to orient this so it sits closer to the needle.

Machine is threaded properly, both top and bottom. I double checked the bobbin to make sure the thread drops out the bottom, goes under the spring, and up through the shuttle hole. I also double checked the shuttle gears. They are set so that the shuttle hook drives by the needle scarf at its lowest point. I think the issue is in the top of the machine.

Edited October 17, 2015 by gstqfashions

[Kohlrausch]

Here is a photo of where the presser foot sits in relation to the needle. This is about as close as it gets, and it definitely doesn't look right to me.

Hi,

that's because it isn't right. The lever marked with the arrow (bell crank lever) has to sit in a groove in the round metal piece above it. You will have to take off and dismantle the head assy to put it back.

Greets

Ralf C.

Edited October 17, 2015 by Kohlrausch

[gstqfashions]

After stepping away from the 29-4 for a few hours, I thought I'd disassemble the head and take another look at how the footbar fits in there. I was noticing that I couldn't get a full lift with the presser foot lever, so I figured that something must not be lined up right. I reassembled everything, and it looks like the footbar was possibly flipped around along with the presser foot. I'm not even sure how the machine was able to move with this set up (although it does explain the bend in the footbar). Post re-assembly, the presser foot cradles the needle and the machine is stitching!

Top Stitches: Before adjusting top tension assembly

Bottom Stitches: After adjusting top tension assembly

Currently, I have #69 bonded thread in the top and bottom, and a Groz-Beckert 135/17 needle. I've now noticed that the machine seems to stitch ok when the stitch regulator is set as high up as possible on the footbar. When I try to lower it, it skips stitches quite a bit (see top of stitch lines, after all the loopy stuff).

Update: Just saw Ralf's post.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T THINK TO CHECK THIS. I always wondered why the bell crank lever on my machine seemed a bit slanted...

That being said, I put the bell crank into the groove and now the machine not only stitches (at different lengths even!) but it sounds much, much better. Thank you so much!

[Darren Brosowski]

Glad you got it going!

You bought the presser foot spring etc. ffrom mr.

[gstqfashions]

Darren,

What a small world! They worked out just great. I've done a few more stitch tests with various thicknesses of leather and I have to say I am pretty impressed that this 100+ year old machine can really go! Working the treadle is going to take some getting used to, but all the stitchces are turning out just beautifully.

[Cascabel]

I never use the treadle on mine. i find it easier to control by just sticking my finger between the spokes of the handwheel, and spinning it that way. The heavy wheel has enough inertia to punch through most of what I ask it to work on. I have heavier machines for my tougher work.