Introducing The Singer Sewing Machine and Its Timing
The Singer Sewing Machine has a long and storied history of more than 150 years of excellence. Due to its outstanding craftsmanship and superior product quality, Singer has come to be regarded as one of the most trusted names in sewing machines. With such great pedigree, it’s not surprising that Singer machines experience virtually no problems in normal use. However, every now and then, manual maintenance of timing is necessary to ensure that the machine’s parts are properly aligned and working correctly, and this can cause a bit of a headache.
In a Singer sewing machine, each of the primary components contains a sprocket wheel that must be timed correctly in order to ensure proper belt alignment. If these sprocket wheels become misaligned, the consequence could be that the machine is not properly operating and can cause significant problems such as skipped stitches and missed loops. It is therefore crucial to make sure that the timing of the sewing machine is accurate and regularly maintained. This article has been written in order to provide detailed instructions on how to fix the timing on a Singer sewing machine.
General Preparation and Safety Precautions
To begin with, prior to any maintenance work, the user should always unplug the machine from its mains power outlet and turn it off, removing the plug from the machine if necessary. Once this is done, remove the lower arm, which is the device that houses the primary sprockets, by taking out the four screws located on the base and carefully lifting it up. This can be achieved by putting a cloth underneath the arm and gently pulling it up and away from the machine.
It is important to use caution when handling the exposed parts; any sudden movement can cause misalignment and should be avoided. Once the arm is safely removed from the machine, check for any irregularities that can be observed by rotating the various sprocket wheels. Look for any unaligned gears, pay attention to the belt, and ensure that the thread feeder on the hook is untwisted. If anything seems out of place, gently align the pieces and check again before continuing.
Realigning and Tightening the Belt
If the belt is too loose, it could be the cause of misalignment and should therefore be tightened. However, if it’s too tight the machine will not operate properly. Therefore, the belt should be tightened to the right tension and realigned back to its precise position by pushing down the sprocket wheel located directly underneath the belt.
The tension screw should be tightened gradually until the belt is at the right tension. It should also be noted that the belt is not to be fully tightened when starting up the machine, as this will create too much resistance and could damage the internal parts. The belt should instead be only loosely tightened at first, and can be adjusted according to the machine’s needs once the machine is up and running.
Resetting the Cam Bars and Check Points
Once the belt has been properly tightened and realigned, it is time to reset the timing of the sewing machine. This can be done by setting the cam bars and check points to the correct position. The cam bars are two small bars found at the back of the machine, located directly above the needle.
Once the proper alignment of the cam bars has been achieved, turn the machine over and look for several small check points. These are small white points that are used to verify the alignment of the cam bars and the timing of the machine. Make sure that all of these points are facing the same way and are located in the right positions. If they are not, adjust accordingly and then proceed to the next step.
Adjusting the Hank Position and Hook Point
The next step is to adjust the hank position and hook point. The hank position is a small device located at the back of the machine, near the bobbin case, used to ensure that the thread feeder and the needle stitch correctly. To adjust the hank position, unscrew the two screws located on the top of the device and then pull up the lever to adjust the hank position until it is properly aligned.
The hook point is a metal arm found underneath the hank position which is used to guide the thread to the needle. Make sure that the hook point is correctly aligned by gently pushing it up and down, and adjust the screw on the left or right side of the metal arm to achieve the desired alignment. Once these two steps are done, the timing of the sewing machine should be properly corrected.
Testing the Sewing Machine After Repairs
Before putting the machine back on the mains power outlet, it is important to test it out by running a few stitches to see if everything is operating correctly. With the machine turned off, insert a new bobbin and set the needle to the correct orientation. Then, attach the machine to the power outlet, set the speed to a low level and start the machine, running one stitch first to check if it is properly running. If the machine is in proper alignment, it should work perfectly.
If it doesn’t work properly, it is possible that the timing has been set incorrectly and should be adjusted again. Once the machine is tested and is operating normally, reattach the lower arm by reversing the steps and make sure to secure it in place with the four screws. Finally, turn the machine off and unplug it from the mains power outlet and your Singer sewing machine should be good to go again.
Caring for the Singer Sewing Machine
Regular maintenance is essential for the optimal performance and longevity of any sewing machine, and the Singer sewing machine is no exception. With some basic manual upkeep such as, cleaning the parts, dusting and oiling, the machine will have a longer life and will be able to deliver the best performance.
Cleaning and oiling should be done at regular intervals and any dust, lint or dirt should be quickly removed to ensure smooth operation. Make sure to keep the machine in a clean and dry working environment and away from direct sunlight. Keeping up with the machine’s maintenance, such as checking and resetting the timing, will help to extend the life of the machine and keep it stitching smoothly.
Replacing Parts and Troubleshooting
If the machine is not stitching correctly, it could be due to a malfunctioning part. This could be anything from a worn-out needle to a faulty belt or a misaligned sprocket. Replacing the part is usually a straight-forward process that can usually be done by the user. Each Singer machine comes with a detailed instruction manual explaining how to do these repairs and replacement tasks.
If the user is not comfortable undertaking these tasks, then it is best to take the machine to an authorized Singer service centre. They will be able to diagnose and resolve any issues that may be present, as well as provide any necessary replacement parts. Keeping these troubleshooting tips in mind will help ensure that the sewing machine remains in top condition and can continue delivering superior quality work.
Conclusion
Maintaining the timing of a Singer Sewing Machine is a relatively simple task that should be done periodically to keep the machine working at its peak performance. Even if the user is not comfortable with doing manual repairs, regular maintenance is still required and help can easily be sought from an authorized Singer service centre. By following the instructions presented in this article, the user should be able to keep the sewing machine running smoothly and continuously produce outstanding results.
