You Never Know Until You Try!

This sewing machine was given to me when I graduated from high school (many years ago!).  It is a super machine, cast iron and quite a work horse. 

It stopped winding bobbins several years ago.  I got a new machine, made mostly of plastic, so I wound my bobbins on that.   I checked around for prices to fix my "old faithful' and it was going to cost between $30-50.  Yikes!  So finally, I decided to be brave and try to fix it myself.  Taking off the cover with a screwdriver, I saw that the little rubber wheel was so old that it has started to disintegrate.  I found one online and ordered it.  You can see the inside of the cover with the rubber off. 

I snapped on the wheel and tried it out.  It barely moved the bobbin around.  Then I noticed that the post moved very stiffly. 

I added a drop of oil and spun it around for a few minutes.  It spun smoothly.  Now it works!!

You can see the bobbin really going, now.  The part plus shipping was only $8 instead of at least $30! 

I am seriously going to "hang out my shingle" to service and repair machines.  Hopefully, I can teach my boys so they will learn more about machines and maybe do it as a home business. 

If you are interested in fixing your own machine, give it a try.  Open it up and see if there is any obvious problem.  If nothing jumps out at you, you may want to buy this book, "Sewing Machine Repair as a Home Business" by Reuben O. Doyle.  I bought it to learn more about repairing machines.  It is very detailed, including lots of illustrations.  It even discusses how to adjust tension and timing.  Click HERE to order. 

So be brave.  You never know until you try!  You might save yourself a lot of money and be back in business sewing. 

Blessings,