Big Barb - The Consew! (255 RB2 - I think!)

[suzelle]

15 hours ago, dikman said:

Nice find, it looks almost new!  In general clutch motors run at 3600 rpm or 1700 rpm (round figures), based on my experience I wouldn't mess around, replace the clutch with a servo, you won't regret it.

Dikman,

Thanks for the "Nice Find"... I think you bought an old Singer a while back that I was drooling over. Flad you like Big Barb! Okay on Servo!!!! I think you are right, I won't regret getting one. The clutch motor on this machine is rediculously fast!

1 hour ago, kgg said:

For all those who want to try and use a pulley to reduce speed on their machine here is a easy online calculator for both single and multiple pulley configurations:

https://www.blocklayer.com/pulley-belt.aspx

kgg

kgg, thanks for that link on pulley and speed reduction!!! Good stuff there!

Yesterday, I bent the bobbin tension spring a bit to go back into a curve shape. It had flattened out so much I could not tighten the tension screw any further. That provided a temporary fix, but I expect it won't hold long as metal was compromised when it went flat. So better get that part now! I dropped one of the three gib hook screws first time taking apart the bobbin case to fully clean and oil. Man was that crusty! Gib screws ordered! She's functioning on just 2 screws at the moment. Got to remember, magnetic screwdriver for those screws!!!! Didn't have one with me that day.

I've been ordering small parts and replacement parts to keep the Consew 255 running happily. She hasn't been run for a long time, so I am discovering what she needs and what is worn out or needing replacement as I go. So far, I have some stripped screws, probably a beehive tension spring, perhaps the whole top tension spring assembly (?), also  bobbin tension spring and screws, some hook gib screws. Gotta get her a dip stick/oil gauge too! 

Edited March 10, 2022 by suzelle
adding

[suzelle]

 

Yesterday I took the advice of Dikman and Constabulary and changed my motor out. However, I did not replace it with a Servo, I'm really fine with clutch motor that runs at a reasonable speed. It's what I have on hand and I need to get this machine running quickly so I can work and make some money now with it.

I removed the Consew machine's 3450 RPM motor by removing the sewing machine head and tilting the table with motor back so the motor was laying against the floor. Using a couple of pieces of wood, I was able to prop the motor and the side of the table up as needed to remove (3) support bolts and the control switch from the table. Then I did the same with the 1700 RPM motor on my Pfaff 545 machine. I then installed the 1700 motor and adjusted all the bolts and screws, belt, and foot pedal to fit. The Consew is now set to sew at a speed I'm used to. This motor is a little louder than the other one, but I can easily tell when I need to switch it off. I should probably do some maintenance on the motor and it will run a little quieter. There is a good youtube video on how to do that - Alexander Dier I think.

The 3450 is getting a proper sendoff - to the dump! I tried to give it away but nobody wanted it.

Today, Big Barb is headed off to visit my Old Sewing Machine Repair Man. He's going to give her a good checkup. I figure why not spend a little and have a Pro look her over and make the right adjustments. Then I'll just maintain the machine. He will do the usual tune up stuff and I asked him if he could replace all the tension springs and check springs too, along with any stripped or missing screws. Well worth it to have him look things over!

Oh, forgot to mention... I am going to order a Servo, but it's going on the Pfaff 545 that I have at my home shop. The Consew is getting set up at my friend's shop and I will use it there.

 

Edited March 11, 2022 by suzelle

[suzelle]

https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=sewing-machine-bobbin-style-info

I hope it is okay to post the link above. Let me know if it's not. I order thread from this place and have always found their list of bobbin sizes that correpond to each machine model very helpful. I get my cones of thread here usually, they've had most of the stuff I have used so far. I haven't oredered the pre-wound bobbins from them, but refer to this chart when I am looking for machines. I went back to it today just to verify if my "Big Barb" is a 255RB machine, since she's missing her original badge. If the machine's bobbin case didn't get altered and I can verfiy what model a machine is, that can make it much easier to find other parts too, which I'm doing now. Hope it helps somebody else.

Edited March 11, 2022 by suzelle
add machine models with bobbin sizes

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, suzelle said:

I haven't oredered the pre-wound bobbins from them, but refer to this chart when I am looking for machines.

Sometimes prewound bobbins are wider than metal bobbins, especially in larger sizes, like U. You might have to waste a few yards of thread to get them to drop in if that's the case. I haven't had that problem yet with the G size prewounds I buy from them and other places. But, somebody who uses them did and told be to be aware.

[suzelle]

10 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

Sometimes prewound bobbins are wider than metal bobbins, especially in larger sizes, like U. You might have to waste a few yards of thread to get them to drop in if that's the case. I haven't had that problem yet with the G size prewounds I buy from them and other places. But, somebody who uses them did and told be to be aware.

Okay Wiz, thank you so much! Will stick with the G refillables if I order again then. Much appreciated!

[Wizcrafts]

58 minutes ago, suzelle said:

Okay Wiz, thank you so much! Will stick with the G refillables if I order again then. Much appreciated!

G style bobbins are too small for Big Barb! Don't even think about it! They are like half the size. Just load your own U bobbins with the bobbin winder.

[suzelle]

Thanks again Wiz! Okay, I'll find out just what I can do with her when Monday rolls around. I did sew with the machine last week and made a couple bench seat covers. The bobbin area got jammed up and I had to totally disasemble and put back together. I lost a gib screw, ordered a few extras and magnetic screwdriver after that. I didn't get it put back together exactly right, but close. I think the timing was thrown off just enough that I decided she was going to get a full tune up by a Pro. Not me! I spent my day yesterday (it was a fun day) taking a Ferry to the Sewing Machine Repair Man. I left machine with him a few hours and he had it all tuned up, good as new. Looking forward to really putting Big Barb to use next week. Crossing my fingers she will run flawlessly and earn some money! I just know the fast motor wasn't helping either, glad there is a slower motor on the machine now!! 

[Wizcrafts]

Suz, may I call you Suz? There is a trick to avoiding jamming your machine with top thread wrapping around the shuttle. Hold back the starting threads for a few stitches. If the bobbin thread is inaccessible, hold back the top thread. You will probably have to pull up or down to hide the first knot or two later on. Failure to do this usually results in the machine coming to a halt and you having to cut the thread under the material to remove it, then open the shuttle cover (and maybe the throat plate too) and as you found, the gib holding the bobbin case, then pull out all the double or triple wrapped thread. You may have to retime the hook if the machine lacks a safety clutch that disengages the hook when there's a thread jam.

It is an unfortunate fact that a large number of perfectly good industrial sewing machines suffer from firsttitchitis; the grabbing of the top thread and double-wrapping it around the shuttle and bobbin case. Sometimes you may get lucky and be able to start sewing without jamming the hook, but only if the take-up lever is already on the downstroke and the top thread is firmly captured under the presser foot, and the foot has enough pressure to not let the thread slip out. Too many ifs in play.

[suzelle]

7 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

Suz, may I call you Suz? There is a trick to avoiding jamming your machine with top thread wrapping around the shuttle. Hold back the starting threads for a few stitches. If the bobbin thread is inaccessible, hold back the top thread. You will probably have to pull up or down to hide the first knot or two later on. Failure to do this usually results in the machine coming to a halt and you having to cut the thread under the material to remove it, then open the shuttle cover (and maybe the throat plate too) and as you found, the gib holding the bobbin case, then pull out all the double or triple wrapped thread. You may have to retime the hook if the machine lacks a safety clutch that disengages the hook when there's a thread jam.

It is an unfortunate fact that a large number of perfectly good industrial sewing machines suffer from firsttitchitis; the grabbing of the top thread and double-wrapping it around the shuttle and bobbin case. Sometimes you may get lucky and be able to start sewing without jamming the hook, but only if the take-up lever is already on the downstroke and the top thread is firmly captured under the presser foot, and the foot has enough pressure to not let the thread slip out. Too many ifs in play.

Yes Wiz, you may call me Suz! My Sis does.  Notice I shortened your name up as well.

Thank you for sharing your trick, I have to say it makes me feel better as I have found myself doing exactly as you suggested. I noticed that my luck is a bit better when I hand walk (or try to sew slowly which wasn't possible with the 3450 motor) the first couple stitches, carefully holding the tail, and did notice the difference of the top thread tugging different than the bottom thread. I think with my Pfaff machine, I hold both threads pretty evenly and as long as I am holding them, not too many issues. I appreciate knowing it's a common thing with these machines. So thank you! Great tip.

FYI - Yes my machine does have  a safety clutch and I learned how to use it. It's like my Pfaff 545 when you get a jam, but different method of resetting. The problem I caused, I believe, is that I had loosened the screw to the presser bar lifter. I think that should probably have been left alone. That may be what the timing issue is. I reset it best I could. The Sewing Machine Repairman told me it was not very much out of time, but he adjusted it all anyhow. It was stitching pretty good when I brought it to him, but occasional looping, not looping with every stitch. But I can't have any loops, especially when I am top stitching every inch (24 rows) down each seat panel. Bench seat has a total of 48 rows on bottom cushion and 48 rows on the back cushion. Yikes! With all that said, I only had to remake one panel.

Yes, you are right, that is exactly how the thread got so jammed up and the timing went wacko. I had to pull out stuck thread and had to take out the gib and the whole bobbin case. I really should have left the But I also assumed it could have been the bobbin spinning in the bobbin case with herky jerky movement of the crazy 3450 RPM motor. This machine also hadn't been run since at least 2017, so she needed lots of love and oil. I think timing was probably good til I got ahold of it. LOL. I'm learning how to operate this one and it has been very humbling. I whipped through a couple of projects on the machines at the shop and on my Pfaff, but Pfaff did need to see the Sewing Machine Man too, I knew it was just a matter of time. I was doing so well getting things done, then had some major down time with both machines needing adjustment.

Wiz, do you think it would be smart to have a bobbin tension spring ready just incase I need it? I found one that looks pretty good, it's a star shape that sits at bottom of bobbin case I believe. I think I like the design of it better than the standard ones I have seen. I generally don't like them, but it may be wise to pay attention to that too? Let me know your thoughts.

Also, do you have an oil check gauge in your Singer 211G156? I see it listed on your '"Current Crop of Machines" list. I looked up your machine and it does look very much like mine. These are nice machines with a beautiful stitch. I'm not sorry at all I bought Big Barb. We're just going to have to get better acquainted.

Edited March 12, 2022 by suzelle

[Wizcrafts]

6 hours ago, suzelle said:

But I also assumed it could have been the bobbin spinning in the bobbin case with herky jerky movement of the crazy 3450 RPM motor.

Either use an anti-backlash spring under the bobbin, or insert the bobbin against the direction of rotation of the shuttle. This means the bobbin thread will make a sharp turn off the bobbin to the slot and stay under the spring better. It does add a tish more bobbin tension which may need to be counteracted by backing off 1/2 turn on the bobbin tension screw.

6 hours ago, suzelle said:

Also, do you have an oil check gauge in your Singer 211G156?

Negatory. Mine is manually oiled.

 

6 hours ago, suzelle said:

Notice I shortened your name up as well.

Everybody calls me Wiz. That's who and what I am!