They look like bullets. Hardly surprising then that sewing machine manufacturers readily changed over to arms manufacture in the two World Wars.
This shuttle is from a Singer 28K. Shuttles from other makes of machine may look slightly different, but the bobbin is loaded and threaded in the shuttle in the same way in most cases.
The cut out plate of metal which is screwed onto the outside is the tension spring. Never pull at the tension spring to get the shuttle out of the machine.
A sharp tip is essential for stitch formation. The shuttle has to pass through a loop of the upper thread. If the tip is damaged it could snag or miss the loop.
I used to rack my brains trying to work out what happens when a long bobbin machine forms a stitch, until one day the light dawned...
This shuttle is from a Singer 28K. Shuttles from other makes of machine may look slightly different, but the bobbin is loaded and threaded in the shuttle in the same way in most cases.
The cut out plate of metal which is screwed onto the outside is the tension spring. Never pull at the tension spring to get the shuttle out of the machine.
A sharp tip is essential for stitch formation. The shuttle has to pass through a loop of the upper thread. If the tip is damaged it could snag or miss the loop.
I used to rack my brains trying to work out what happens when a long bobbin machine forms a stitch, until one day the light dawned...
I like sliding the cover plate back and watching the magic!
ReplyDeleteHello Muv,
ReplyDeleteDo you recommend keeping the shuttle in the machine when not in use or leaving it in the compartment with thread, bobbins etc.? Just wondering on the trade-off between it getting oily if left in the machine vs. getting knocked about by other pieces of metal or blunted?
Cheers,
Micheál
Good evening Micheal,
ReplyDeleteThe trick with the shuttle is to leave it in the machine, but with the shuttle carriage either as far forward or as far back as possible. This means that when the oil drains down from the needlebar and presser bar the shuttle won't be there to catch it.
Shame you're not here Micheal. We've got a mountain of chicken thighs coming out of the oven very soon.
Multitasking Muv
Hi Muv
ReplyDeleteI'm still in the process of cleaning my machine - it's never ending it is in such a state and I only have limited time.
Today I had a good look at the shuttle - it needs a good clean, but I also noticed a bit of fluff under the spring, and then remembered something I had read about about fluff collecting in the bottom under the end of the bobbin.
I used the old cocktail stick to swirl around in the bottom and pulled out the biggest chunk of fluff you have every seen! - I don't think it could have ever been cleaned.
I also had great success today sorting out the bobbin winder - it was moving too far to the right and all the thread was bunching up there meaning that I could only really wind the bobbin half full or the thread would split over the end.
I eventually found this really technical bit in the 'Adjusters Manual for Singer sewimg Machines' I found on line.
"When the thread winds to one side of the bobbin, check the thread guide for wear at the cam (following) end and replace when necessary with a new guide.
When a new guide tends to wind the thread unevenly on the bobbin, bend the thread guide, which carries the thread from the bobbin winder to the bobbin, away from the side at which the thread piles up. Use a pair of pliers #26346." !
So I grabbed the nearest set of pliers and bent it to correct it and now it's working perfectly and lovely and even!
Anneg
Hello Anneg,
DeleteExcellent work with the bobbin winder! I'm seriously impressed. I bet your heart was in your mouth when you started wielding the pliers.
Cocktail sticks are very handy in the war against fluff. When I clean out the bobbin area after doing quilting I use a small torch to hunt out the fluff and get into the corners with a pair of pointed tweezers. It's surprising how quickly a miniature hearthrug builds up under the feed dogs.
Love,
Muv
Hello, I have a question for you, for some reason I can't get the machine to sew... the thread breaks off at the shuttle. I have cleaned and oiled and made sure the tension on both pieces of thread are the same. But still cant get it to make a stitch. not sure what I am doing wrong. (this is a singer treadle not sure what model) Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have had the machine for about 20 years and I think it's about time I learned how to use it.
ReplyDeleteHello Rae,
DeleteIt's really difficult to answer your question without actually sitting at the machine myself. It could be any number of things... incorrect threading, unevenly wound bobbin, hidden rust or a burr on the shuttle, needle set wrong way round, wheel going wrong way (even for an instant) at start of treadling...
I'm sure you'll solve it.
Love,
Muv
Muv, Thank you for your time. I have checked all these that you mention and still cannot find the problem...watched all the youtube videos I could find and still no luck... I did finally figure out it is a "27 singer sphinx shuttle treadle machine" I am going to purchase a new shuttle and I hope that will help. But the one I have doesn't seem to have any "catch ups" on it. thread goes in left to right and, bobbin doesn't seem to be out of whack. I turned my needle around, I will test that out. Once again Thank you so much for your energy(: Seems silly to have owned the treadle for so long and not know how to use it so your input is very much appreciated.
DeleteHave a great day
Rae
Hello again Rae,
DeleteIf you go to www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals you can download a free manual.
The needle should have the flat side to the right and be threaded left to right. It could even be a problem with the needle, so try another one. Also, use cotton thread, not synthetic.
You might not need that new shuttle...
Love,
Muv
Thank you,(LOL) I did have the needle in wrong. And I downloaded the manual(: once again Thank you so much for your time.
DeleteRae