Suitably maintained sewing machines give sewers marvelous creative performance for decades.
Regular user maintenance and annual sewing machine service are essential. They prevent the undue collection of debris and gunk. They keep the old lubricants from gumming up the machine or crystallizing into an encrusted material that locks up the sewing machine entirely.
A locked up sewing machine is one with a hand wheel that will not turn freely.
Working on bound up sewing machines can be very frustrating. I suppose that no one wants to hear tips when struggling with insurmountable problems. That is what it feels like when you are working on a locked up sewing machine. It feels like the whole sewing machine has fused into one lump.
Many times I have worked on a dead head stuck sewing machine. After a couple of fruitless hours, it felt like there is no point trying any more. However, if you take the right steps, you can solve the problem.
First, why do sewing machines get dead head stuck?
Abuse, Problems in the bobbin and hook assembly, and broken parts are the causes of bound up.
The most common cause of a locked upsewing machine is abuse. Sewing machines require periodic service. Old oils and grease dry out and crystallize. Use of the wrong oils can cause a sewing machine to dead head. Many oils have paraffin or other ingredients that are harmful to the sewing machine. Old Oils, grease, debris must be removed. The sewing machine requires proper lubrication. When the sewing machine maintenance is neglected, it will eventually lock up.
In rare cases, problems in the bobbin area can cause the sewing machine to bind. This is why it is so important for users to frequently clean out the bobbin area and place a drop of pure clean sewing machine oil on the race. When neglected, the lint, debris, and gummy residue from lubricants can cause big problems.
Sewing machines can also lock up when a part inside the sewing machine breaks. If a gear breaks a cog, it can lock up. If a lever bends, it can lock up. If a cam assembly breaks, the sewing machine can lock up.
So, what specific steps can the sewing machine repair man do to fix a bound up machine?
Set the machine on the workbench and attempt to turn the hand wheel. If it fails to turn easily, open up the bobbin area, remove the bobbin, and remove the carrier if removable. Clean out the bobbin area and lubricate the hook race. Try turning the hand wheel again.
Remove all the covers. Test the hand wheel while observing the insides of the sewing machine. Watch the upper shaft. Examine the lower shaft. Look for any points where metal touches metal. Look for any broken parts.
Release the power drive mechanism or belt from the hand wheel. Again test the hand wheel. Sometimes, tensioners and various pulley assemblies can freeze, so make sure that all of these are turning freely.
Remove all debris, old oils, and grease. Thoroughly clean the upper and lower sewing machine. Use carborator cleaner or similar chemical to dissolve an old sticky and gummy lubricants. Use chemical cleaners as necessary. Test the hand wheel again. Beginning at the hand wheel follow the drive mechanisms across the upper and lower parts of the sewing machine. Force the hand wheel to turn even a slight amount. Look for binding points. Find the points of resistance.
To break loose a stuck spot, use solvents to dissolve old lubricants. Use fresh lubricant to lubricate. Use firm force to work the hand wheel back and forth. These techniques will usually brake sticky spots loose. Two final techniques may be used in extreme cases: The use of heat can help loosen a bind. The technique involves use of a soldering iron or torch to apply heat to a specific location of metal to metal bind. Soaking the head submerged in a vat of solvent works for really old and rusty machines, however, all electrical parts must be removed and care must be used to avoid damage to plastics and machine paint finishes. Unless you are experienced with this technique avoid it.
About the Author:
Before purchasing sewing machine repair manuals, explore the excellent resources available in Dr. David Trumble's sewing machine repair training courses. Even download his free beginner's course 7 Steps To Peak Performance.
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