Stitch Length HELP needed Consew 287R

[CustomDoug]

Man, I owe you one for going out of your way to help!!! 

Here's a video I found of a CW-8 machine (non lubricating or reversing), that I think the user is making adjustments to the stitch length manually but it's in a language I don't understand. See the video starting at 2:35 or so, thru to about the 3:00 minute mark. I certainly could be wrong but.. it's how I'd envision the adjustment procedure to go on my machine. Thoughts?

 

 

[shoepatcher]

CustomDoug,

Feed dog way to high in the one picture.  I said 1/2 of a tooth above the throat plate.  That is what I used on my Consew 227R many years ago.  if feed dog to high, you will have problems.  Make sure outside foot tension is not to great as well.  High feed dog height will affect the outside foot tension.
glenn

Edited October 2, 2020 by shoepatcher

[Uwe]

The machine in that last video has a TOTALLY different feed mechanism. That machine is indeed close to a Singer 153, yours is NOT.

Please stop looking at Singer 153 documentation to figure out your machine’s feed mechanism, it will just confuse you.

I’m making a video right now on how to center the feed dog movement in the throat plate opening. Give me a chance to finish that.

[Uwe]

So here’s the video of how I adjusted my machine to center feed dog movement inside the throat plate opening:

 

[CustomDoug]

4 hours ago, shoepatcher said:

CustomDoug,

Feed dog way to high in the one picture.  I said 1/2 of a tooth above the throat plate.  That is what I used on my Consew 227R many years ago.  if feed dog to high, you will have problems.  Make sure outside foot tension is not to great as well.  High feed dog height will affect the outside foot tension.
glenn

Hi Glenn, I have moved the feed dog to 1/2 tooth above the plate at full height. Thanks for that info.

[CustomDoug]

2 hours ago, Uwe said:

So here’s the video of how I adjusted my machine to center feed dog movement inside the throat plate opening:

 

Hi Uwe.. what an easy to follow and informative video you put together!! It's very helpful and appreciated.

After watching it, I've gone from flying high on a cloud to crashing solidly to the ground in defeat. Unfortunately the head of almost every screw on this machine has been chewed up at some point in its life. And, wouldn't you know - I CAN NOT BUDGE the dang screw you alluded to in your video (first one, on the upper body, in the hole under the lever)!! and in trying, it's starting to get pretty chewed up too. I've added penetrating fluid.. then tapped it, then banged on it with a hammer to the screw-driver to try and loosen it, but no luck.

Any suggestions for this issue?   

[Uwe]

Bummer about your screw heads. Some screws have loctite (essentially cyanoacrylate super glue) applied to the threads. Acetone (nail polish remover)  will dissolve super glue. Heat will also break down the glue. Getting the perfect screw driver for that particular screw head helps as well. I’ve made a trip to the hardware store in the middle of a repair job on more than one occasion to get a better screw driver. I personally like electrician’s screw drivers since they have flat, parallel sides on the tip. Most regular screw drivers have angled sides on the tip that tend to push the driver up as you turn it. Try to position the machine so that you can really lean on the screw driver as you turn it.

If you get the screw out, don’t keep using it - get a new screw instead. 

[stelmackr]

I've had too many of those ruined screw heads.  I've purchased some screw drivers that are marketed for gunsmithing. Just search for "screw drivers for gunsmithing".  I assume they are similar to the electrician’s screw drivers, that Uwe mentioned.

[CustomDoug]

10 hours ago, stelmackr said:

.. I've purchased some screw drivers that are marketed for gunsmithing. Just search for "screw drivers for gunsmithing".  ..

That's a great tip Stelmack, I've made note.. 

[shoepatcher]

Get the bad screws out any way you can and REPLACE them.  I always clean up or replace screws when i go over and rebuild machines.  Will cost you some money but well worth it in the end.  I hate when people bugger up screws and make no effort to clean them up for the next guy!!

glenn