singer 111w155 Singer 111w155 feed lifting cam slop

[kiddcaprix]

I have been oiling that fork since I got the machine and never noticed the movement I have in the tolerance until the other night.  I will see if that felt is there tonight.  It looks to be a big undertaking to get to the cam. I can get the fork off reasonably easy but may have to pull the entire shaft out to get to the cam.  Henderson sewing claims to have the fork and cam on there website.  So that is a good thing.  It's also about $75 worth of parts.  Or, like I mentioned earlier, I can maybe make a sleeve to go over the cam with an interference fit and machine to a decent tolerance after (I have a machine shop in my barn!).  Still have to get the cam out though.  Thanks.

 

-Adam

[dikman]

Yeah, replacing that cam doesn't look like fun.

[brmax]

A photo of the surface condition of the cam would be great, look likes from the rear side, where its easily viewable. Or when the fork assembly was taken apart, both these could be interesting for sure  

Floyd

 

[dikman]

I just measured the clearance on my 111WSV77 and it's 10 thou total (being a 111 class I'd say the bottom end is going to be similar to yours).

[Uwe]

The clearance on my Singer 111W155 is about two sheets of paper. I don't think this is an area that warrants major expenses or work unless things are way off or worn down. If things are well oiled and moving freely, the cam will barely touch the bottom of that fork if at all. On my machine the underside of the upper arm of the fork is well glazed from constant contact with the lifting cam, the bottom shows almost no wear marks at all. 

I made a video taking the fork off my machine and inspecting it. If nothing else, it may give you a reference point to compare your machine against. 

 

[kiddcaprix]

Uwe, fantastic. Thank you for that. I haved watched your videos and they have helped me tremendously to get my 111w155 back in sewing conditions. I uploaded a video of my cam slop (I know, I did it in portrait and not landscape but it gets the point across). My felt is non-existent and has some decent wear. I didn't gauge it before i took it off, but that sound of it "slapping" in the video is what I am hearing. Looks like it has run dry for quite a while. I have been oiling since I got it earlier this spring.  Attached are the pics of the cam fork. I might try to shim it or see if I can just flip it and use the bottom side that dosent have much wear. Again, thanks for the video. Kinda cool that I maybe sparked a Uwe video. Ha. 

 

Regards,

Adam

Edited November 3, 2017 by kiddcaprix

[gottaknow]

This is a common issue on these machines. The cam on the shaft is harder steel than the fork, so that's where the wear ends up. The forks are easily replaced and are inexpensive. I don't depend on oil/felt. I use TriFlow grease, which comes in a tube. Stays lubed a long time. It's not that hard to replace the cam, but start with the fork. 

Regards, Eric 

 

[dikman]

Can definitely see wear in that first photo.

[Constabulary]

Uwe is right, barely a sheet of paper clearance between cam and fork. I have a very good used spare cam and spare fork - diameter of the cam is 17.40mm and the fork is 17.60mm so thats 0.2mm (approx) slop - rather less depends on where I measure on the inside of the fork. So you can compare measures and have an rough idea of how worn your parts are. When I put a sheet of paper between it the cam still holds it.

 

Edited November 3, 2017 by Constabulary

[kiddcaprix]

Thank you all for the info.  This is awesome that all of this knowledge is finger tips away.  Really truly appreciate it.  I am going to see what I can do with what I have right now.  I think I am going to machine the surface of the fork to accept a shim of sorts.  The cam is galled, but I mic'd it and it seems to be consistent diametrically along the width so I shouldn't have to replace that.  Might just try and clean the galling up with some emery cloth.  Eric, great idea on the TriFlow.  I will defiantly be trying that out.  Might throw a piece of felt back in to help hold some of that grease.  Cant hurt.  If I fubar it too much, I can grab a replacement.  But why not try and fix it first.  Here is a better shot of the cam itself.  I have a cast on my left thumb until Monday, so the machining fix will have to wait a few days.  Again, thank you everyone for the input and advise.   

Eric, do you use the TriFlow on the gears as well?  Seems like a good candidate for that.  Thanks.

Kind Regards,

Adam