heard herd hoard... what ever - we are all inflicted with it now aren't we...

Jenn, if you really want to show something new, you should take a machine that uses cams. One of the Rocketeers, or the 400 series, something that uses a cam. There are lots of people who have never used nor seen a machine that uses cams! Or better yet, take a HC machine and a vintage buttonhole attachment. That would impress them! Those old buttonhole attachments, I just discovered, are jewels!

Nancy

I have been trying to de-gunk the underside of my new Adler for the last two days. I finally have it cleaned up and moving freely - well everything but the feed dog drop. That was frozen solid. With lots and lots of oil and my DH's brute strength we finally got it moving if we push hard on the bar on the underside of the machine at the same time pushing the thumb screw. That part is still pretty frozen.

Cathy, I tried the 16x231 needles. They are not right, or something else is wrong because the needle won't pick up the bobbin thread. The needle that came with the machine won't pick up the bobbin thread either. The bobbin is a full rotary. I will keep playing with it, but I don't think these needles nor the one someone stuck in the machine are right for the machine. According to ISMACS needle site, this machine could use a 12x1, 16x2, 16x1, 7x3, 134-35. You know more about needles and these old machine than I do. What do you think?

Nancy

I bought a Necchi BU Nova off CL. Got a great deal $20 in a cabinet--just need to replace the veneer on the top. The machine seems to be in great condition. It turns freely, the feed dogs drop and reengage. It's awesome. Have only done minor cleaning so far. I am afraid it will need new wiring. The cabinet has a knee lever.

The problem is the paint is absolutely falling off the bed of the machine. So, I'm going to have to get it painted.
Is it possible to get replacement decals for the Necchis? I have done a little googling, and am not seeing them.

Nancy,

I doubt that this machine takes the 12x1. I haven't seen this machine in person so I am using an educated guess about the needle . I believe that it should take a DBx1. The 16X1 needle is the same length as the DBx1, 16x231 and 15x1. BTW did you orient the needle so that the long groove is to the left and thread it left to right? The needles that I gave you are round shank and the orientation must be done with care. If you did orient it correctly and it still doesn't pick up the bobbin thread, try scooting the needle down a tiny bit.
If all else fails, I will be home on Friday and will be glad to find you the correct needle.

Cathy


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Nancy said, "I finally have it cleaned up and moving freely - well everything but the feed dog drop. That was frozen solid. With lots and lots of oil and my DH's brute strength we finally got it moving if we push hard on the bar on the underside of the machine at the same time pushing the thumb screw. That part is still pretty frozen."

I have found that those tend to stay frozen the longest on about any machine, too. Some times you would think it is the knob or push buttons that are frozen... You can stand the machine on end, drop in some T-F oil on the pointy end and in between cracks, let it set overnight. Next day use heat if necessary. Picture of the pointy part that needs some Tri-Flow oil.

That beast was gunked up - T-F cracks and that bullet thing - stand on end one way then another with fresh T-F - you may also need some kind of solvent - be very careful not to breathe that stuff.
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Miriam, If you are able to work the knob and it is on it's side like this, try oiling it where I indicated and moving the knob back and forth. It helps speed things along getting things moving. ... Then get a Marlboro.
~G~

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EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!! then just tilt the machine so oil goes into those two end places. sometimes heat helps - Marlboro heat??? - force not so good...

Miriam and Grant thank you! I had the machine tilted with the underneath up when I was oiling everying that looked like it should move!. This machine is the gunkiest machine I have ever had - and you all know how many machines I have bought in the last few years! It is like oil was baked onto this machine - not on top, just underneath! I litterly scraped off gunk with a knife! I am still using sewing machine oil, but you have convinced me to finally order some Tri Flow!

Last night I finally got the feed dog drop mechanism to move - only with help both on top and underneath, but it still won't move unless I physically push/pull the bar underneath.

Cathy, I changed the orientation of the needle several times. In the manual it appears to thread right to left. I kept moving the needle ever so slightly until I finally got the needle to pick up the bobbin thread. It should stitch now, but the feed dogs were stuck down. I had to remove the feed dogs and play with the bar underneath that releases and sets them. I got it unstuck, the feeddogs popped up, but now they are stuck up! It was late, so I haven't tried to sew yet! Today, hopefully I can actually get a stitch!

Nancy