111W-153 Stitch Length... Wear Or Adjustment?

[Ole South]

I picked up a 153 for a fellow forum member and we're going to make the exchange tomorrow (Ga to Fla). Before I hand this over I'd like to visit one issue. Currently the longest stitch length is about 6sti. This is okay for the type of work we both do but... the stitch length isn't linear with the indicator.

6 to 7sti line up with the numbers pretty closely but from 7-8 on the indicator wheel the actual measured stitch length jumps to about 10 or 11sti and gets increasingly smaller disproportionately compared to the indicator dial. Also when set as the book states (8 measured stitches and move the dial via set screw) I run out of bottom end at 6 rather than somewhere south of the set screw hole.

Is this a wear issue, an adjustment (hopefully) or a problem somewhere else? It sews nice. Needed a few minor parts and the tension assy rebuilt and paint but the new owner wants to do that.

I was sure this stitch length was working properly early on in the checkout as I set the stitch length indicator as part of the checklist. The only thing in between was tighten down the loose feed dog and replace a missing feed dog plate screw.

Thanks folks for your attention.

[Ole South]

Got to work on this machine tonight. Noticed the feed plate was deflecting as the feed dogs rose so got underneath and replaced the felt wick on the lift eccentric and adjusted the feed dog height.. While I was down there I gave the under carriage a good going over with a wire brush and WD 40 paying particular attention to the feed eccentric assembly. Things turn so much easier and faster now.

I get a good 5 sti but the measured stitch out paces the stitch indicator still. Back to the eccentric mechanism.

I found this post... lots of good 111 info http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=64816&hl=%2B111w+%2Bstitch+%2Blength

Edited February 27, 2016 by Ole South

[CowboyBob]

Many times the stitch indicator will be off,the way to set it is loosen the screw in the stitch indicator wheel & tighten it so it's snug ( so you can turn it if needed) then put the stitch length on the longest stitch probably #5 on the machine,then turn the indicator so the #5 shows through the hole,then tighten the screw.

[Ole South]

Thanks Bob... that's what I finally did. Everything works, it's just the exponential gain in stitch length as you pass 7 on the dial that I've been fighting. I found a set of photo's Constabulary posted of the regulating mechanism (can't find them on review) and tried to get inside per his example but the collar holding the spring wouldn't budge. So I washed it out with WD40, verified externally everything was moving and re-oiled but 7=7, 8=10 and 10+ = tiny to miniscule to line cutting. The feed dog height and matching it with a proper feed plate was what was limiting less than 6sti. I'd like to say the -155 I've got works properly but I had to steal parts to get the -153 working. I'll verify when I get the new dog and plate installed.