Stitch Length Regulator on Consew 226r-1

[BelleH]

I recently purchased a new-to-me, Consew 226r-1 sewing machine.  After bringing it home, we gave it a thorough cleaning and oiling and it sews very well.  I didn’t even have to alter the tension settings.  Given this is my first industrial machine,  I’ve been taking it slow, and testing out the various options, changing needles, threads, materials, and just getting used to it.  My next step was to change stitch length. The previous owner had said that he didn't ever bother with changing stitch length and just used the same all the time, (~8 stitches per inch).   The button on the base was a bit stiff when we tested it at his house, but after bringing it home, cleaning and oiling, it depresses as I assume it should.   I followed the instructions, pressing the left button, and turning the handwheel until I could feel the plunger fall into the notch.  From there I continued to turn to select a stitch length.  I found that the handwheel would not turn to reach the "5" and would stop at "7".  My sewing tests were done w/o thread and on medium weight leather, using a proper leather needle.  I ran the machine using the “7” stitch.  It produced about 5 stitches/inch.  I repeated the process of button depressing, turning and stopping at various settings and then stitching.  What I found is that pretty much anywhere from around 8-24 on the wheel, creates a stitch length of 7-8 stitches/inch.  I did find that the selector would turn past the 24 by quite a bit though.   I tried stitching there and that's where I was getting over 20 stitches per inch.  I didn’t want to turn the wheel until it wouldn’t go any further for fear of breaking something.  I also found that if I stop at a given setting, say 12, I get slightly different stitch lengths if I come at it by turning the wheel toward me than I do when I turn away from me (sometimes just below 7 other just above 8).  For what I do, 7-8 stitches per inch is fine, but it would be nice to be able to change if need be, and do so with predictable results. 

 

I’ve searched the forum and found a few discussions on Singer 211-xx Stitch Regulator Jams, but nothing there seemed to apply here. 

 

Can anyone provide input on what I should look for, what might be wrong, if it’s something that can be fixed, etc.  Is it a common problem? Or does anyone have suggestions on where I might find some info on what might be wrong and if I can fix it? 

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

Belle

 

[Wizcrafts]

Here are two manuals courtesy of Consew. One is the operator's manual and the other is the parts numbers book.

226R-1 Operator.pdf 226R-1 Parts.pdf

[BelleH]

Thanks.  I used the instructions in the Operator's manual (I have a copy) to change the stitch length during the tests that I described.  That's where I had found the reference to the plunger falling into place.  All appeared to work per the manual during the physical selection of length, but the actual stitch lengths produced didn't and don't correspond to the numbers on the dial.  No where in the manual does it explain trouble shooting - hence my post for help.  The parts manual is handy to have.

[Wizcrafts]

I can't help you with troubleshooting that machine as I don't have one to use as a reference.

[Constabulary]

8 hours ago, BelleH said:

I found that the handwheel would not turn to reach the "5" and would stop at "7".  My sewing tests were done w/o thread and on medium weight leather, using a proper leather needle.  I ran the machine using the “7” stitch.  It produced about 5 stitches/inch

The stitch length dial is held on the top shaft by a set screws. Dial in the longest stitch length (5SPI) open the top cover then loosen this set screw and rotate the dial until you see the "5" in the window then tighten the screw again. This does not change any settings on the machine or so it is just the position of the dial you alter to match the dial with the stitch length. But as you can imagine the dial is not necessarily 100% precise cause the window gives quite some room for displaying the number on the stitch length dial. Just play with it a little bit with the dial position. I think Singer says in the 111 manual you should do this with 8 SPI. Let me check the manual...

EDIT:

Yeah, 8SPI - this most likely is because you can reach the set screw in this position.

This is from the Singer 111 manual:

 

 

Edited July 30, 2021 by Constabulary

[BelleH]

Constabulary - The 226r-1 doesn't have a window, but does have a mark to align the number on the dial with, so I assume that would be the same thing in principle.  But I'm not sure which cover you are referring to when you say "open the top cover".  Do you by chance have a picture or diagram on which you can indicate the cover and set-screw?  That should help with the "5" setting and stitches per inch, but not sure if it will address the fact that I get 7-8 stitches/inch on any of the settings from 8-24.  But maybe it will.  Thanks.  All input is appreciated.  

[Constabulary]

oh - right - I see - sorry! I thought the Singer 111 clones would have this window too... I have edited my last post  (see above).

So maybe then it is the position of the hand wheel on the top shaft. Usually the hand wheel is held by 2 set screws in a certain position and one set screw sits in a grove on the top shaft so maybe the hand wheel is positioned incorrectly. You know what I mean?

 

Edited July 30, 2021 by Constabulary

[BelleH]

I'll check it out.  The diagram that you provided also helps.  Might be that the number in the window and the number positioned next to the mark are the same thing and the same basic concept applies.

Thanks!

 

[Constabulary]

this is what I had in mind when thinking of the 226 seems there were casting variants:

 

Edited July 30, 2021 by Constabulary

[BelleH]

The confusion on the style of 226R-1 is completely understandable.  I still greatly appreciate the input, even though it's for another machine.  It gives me hope that there is some way of adjusting.  But I suspect that aligning the numbers with the mark will still not get me "there" completely.  Given the fact that I can set the dial from 8 to 24 and still get 7-8 stitches per inch means there is a lot of "slop".  Going beyond the 24 does get me more stitches per inch, but that's a pretty wide range on the dial.  Also afraid to push the dial too much further beyond the inch or so that I went beyond 24. 

I've attached a picture of my handwheel with the stitch length numbers on it.  There is one screw on that ring and it may be what I need to loosen to move the numbers into alignment.  I'm hesitant to try though as the machine sews so well, I don't want to chance messing anything up.  As I mentioned above, I'm new to this and still getting my feet wet.