111w102 possible timing issue?

[Catbird]

Hello!

First of all - I apologize if I come off as completely illiterate in all of this - I am very much learning as I go. 

I recently acquired a decent condition singer 111w102 w/table. It runs beautifully after a little oil and a bit of grime clean. It was maintained well and used often prior to passing hands and ending up stored in a collector's garage. 

 

Anyway, my issue: I have been cleaning and adjusting this thing, but I cant get it to pick up a stitch consistently. I adjusted the timing and it still missing picking up the bobbin about half the time or completely. The bobbin also seems very loose in tension despite me tightening the screws as much as I can. 

I don't have a manual for this and have been using a generic-servicing manual I picked up browsing around this forum. 

If anyone could point me in the right direction as to what my issue might be, I would be quite grateful! I am very newb when it comes to industrial machines, but I am not afraid to tinker with it until I make it work. 

Video of what i mean:

(I am using regular sewing thread and a bobbin of unknown thickness that came in this box of accessories with it. 100/16 needle. I am aware that may be 3/4 my issue! I have some #69/Tex70 thread coming in soon. If I need heavier thread I can order some, no sewing shops are open currently here)

https://imgur.com/gallery/faPAfHz

[Bert51]

Do you have a manual for this machine, if so is it threaded as per manual?

I don't think it's the bobbin,  if you could post a picture of the threading, some who knows more then me might be able to help.

Can you please post you photo's here, yes it is a pain to resize them, but in time this post may help some one else if they can see all of your post.

Bert.

[Uwe]

It looks to me like your needle is not installed correctly. The scarf of the needle needs to face toward the right, facing the hook. Your needle scarf is facing towards the rear on your machine (See screen shot of the video below.) Rotating the needle 90 degrees clockwise may resolve some of your issues. You're also missing a thread guide that is normally is attached to the bottom of the beedle bar - not a show stopper, but it will help with reliability.

Also, just turn the machine over by hand until it picks up the thread reliably. Running the machine under motor power while things are not quite right may break something.

 

 

This is how your needle should be positioned:

Edited April 26, 2020 by Uwe

[Catbird]

6 hours ago, Bert51 said:

Do you have a manual for this machine, if so is it threaded as per manual?

I don't think it's the bobbin,  if you could post a picture of the threading, some who knows more then me might be able to help.

Can you please post you photo's here, yes it is a pain to resize them, but in time this post may help some one else if they can see all of your post.

Bert.

Absolutley, image attached of the thread path. No manual came with this machine so I have been using similar models as reference.

 

2 hours ago, Uwe said:

It looks to me like your needle is not installed correctly. The scarf of the needle needs to face toward the right, facing the hook. Your needle scarf is facing towards the rear on your machine (See screen shot of the video below.) Rotating the needle 90 degrees clockwise may resolve some of your issues. You're also missing a thread guide that is normally is attached to the bottom of the beedle bar - not a show stopper, but it will help with reliability.

Also, just turn the machine over by hand until it picks up the thread reliably. Running the machine under motor power while things are not quite right may break something.

 

 

This is how your needle should be positioned:

Thank you so much for the visual! I feel really dumb, I did in fact have it threaded wrong. I was using the motor because it appeared to be picking up the thread reliably by hand crank, but that was not quite the case. Now it is working fine! Just have to get the tension balanced out. Actual proper thread suited to this machine will probably make that a ton easier. 

[Bert51]

I am pleased you have this machine working good now.

I just had a quick look for your model and could not fine it, but this one may be close, http://www.dixiesewing.com/MANUALS/SINGERSERVICE2/111W101,W104-inst.pdf

Bert.

[Catbird]

49 minutes ago, Bert51 said:

I am pleased you have this machine working good now.

I just had a quick look for your model and could not fine it, but this one may be close, http://www.dixiesewing.com/MANUALS/SINGERSERVICE2/111W101,W104-inst.pdf

Bert.

Me too! The tension is still a little whacky on thinner fabric, but it is sewing fine on thicker material, which is what I intend to use it for anyway, so not a huge issue there. I have a smaller machine I can use for thinner things if it comes down to it. 

 

That model is very similar! I am going to save that manual and have a read through. Thank you! There doesn't seem to be a ton about the 102 online, which makes me all the more curious about it, honestly. 

[Bert51]

If you use thin material you need to back off both top and bottom tension or you will have it puckering on you.

On a couple of my machines I have two bobbin cases, one setup for lighter thread and one setup for heavy thread, that way it is quick and easy to change between light and heavier projects.

Bert.

[Catbird]

This bobbin still seems very loose by comparison, even with the screws as snug as I can turn them. I may have to see if I can find another casing that will fit in this model and test the tightness of it. There may be something wrong with this one. There was a little bit of built up thread in it, but I already cleaned all of that out. There might be another case in the box of junk that came with it, I haven't checked. I know I saw some entire bobbin setups in there but they were for a different style bobbin. 

[Bert51]

What do you mean Catbird, the bobbin is loose or the bobbin thread is still loose?

If the bobbin is loose, it maybe warn and needs replacing, if the thread is loose you may need to remove the tension spring from the bobbin case and clean under it, I have had lint build up under the spring a make it impossible to get the correct tension on the bobbin thread.

Have a look at this Youtube clip is a good starting point, she gives some good information,

Bert.