My 403 a button for left center and right is not moving the needle bar at all. I have disassembled the insides as best I can and I just can’t find a video that is focused on any issues with that particular button. Any idea what I need to look for, thanks
I have a 404 when i bought it it worked fine I used it all last winter then I let it sit and then I went to use it 2 weeks ago and now the needle won't move I hear the motor and tried to use the hand wheel and nothings happening what could be the issue
I have this machine and sews perfectly but when trying to wind the bobbin, most of the time the needle keeps going up and down after I have used the hand wheels to do bobbin winding. What do I need to do?
I bought a 403 that was frozen thinking that I could restore it. It’s still stuck with the needle bar lowered. Next I’ll try Blue Creeper. If that fails, I’ll find a short screwdriver to remove the gear underneath at the hook area. It’s currently frozen in a position that cannot be reached with normal tool. Any suggestions?
I have an old Atlas vintage streight stich only sewing machine. It sat for approximately 25 years not being used. Just about everything was not moving. I oiled all points with 3 in 1 oil, I cleaned out a lot of packed up lint from the presser foot and other places. It's now sewing again but the longest stich setting is giving me very short stitches, about 2/32 of an inch is the length of the longest stitch setting now. To be honest, I don't really know the length of the stitches before but I would think they would be longer. Any suggestions to get longer stitches or is that the normal length for this machine?
Hello Sharon. The stitch length lever is connected to linkages that flow towards the feed dogs which adjusts them for stitch length. See if you can trace a path from the lever to the dogs (might want strong flashlight) and while following along, try oiling or using penetrant spray or heat (carefully) to be sure all of the moving parts along that path are free. Even when you have succeeded in getting most of the machine parts moving (Congratulations on that as I know how ornery they can be when stuck), it only takes one set of moving parts to limit how the machine is supposed to run optimally.
I think I showed something along these lines in a recent video of (I think) a Singer 15-30. The owner said it would not go into reverse and so I show how to follow along the linkage paths to address possible sticking points between the control knob and the feed dogs.
Thank you, I will try that and see what happens. I have watched a few of your videos, they are very interesting and informative. I was just watching your videos on restoring the machine tables as my Atlas came in a table and it does need some restoration done on it. Thanks again.
The 400 series really appeal to me, but they are fairly rare here in the UK. Most people had very little money to spend on sewing machines in the '50s here, whereas it was boom time across the pond. I have a later 466 stylist to restore. Unfortunately it has some plastic gears which I will replace, but it's a start. Eventually I will swap it for a 201k probably. I actually got it for the table which is the most beautiful I have ever seen. This is a wonderful hobby! Do you ever have to replace springs?
You can replace springs and they are often available at low cost. I should note that springs require replacing far less often than some other wear items though. Gosh, even springs were made better back in the day.
My 403 a button for left center and right is not moving the needle bar at all. I have disassembled the insides as best I can and I just can’t find a video that is focused on any issues with that particular button. Any idea what I need to look for, thanks
I have a 404 when i bought it it worked fine I used it all last winter then I let it sit and then I went to use it 2 weeks ago and now the needle won't move I hear the motor and tried to use the hand wheel and nothings happening what could be the issue
I have this machine and sews perfectly but when trying to wind the bobbin, most of the time the needle keeps going up and down after I have used the hand wheels to do bobbin winding. What do I need to do?
I bought a 403 that was frozen thinking that I could restore it. It’s still stuck with the needle bar lowered. Next I’ll try Blue Creeper. If that fails, I’ll find a short screwdriver to remove the gear underneath at the hook area. It’s currently frozen in a position that cannot be reached with normal tool. Any suggestions?
I have an old Atlas vintage streight stich only sewing machine. It sat for approximately 25 years not being used. Just about everything was not moving. I oiled all points with 3 in 1 oil, I cleaned out a lot of packed up lint from the presser foot and other places. It's now sewing again but the longest stich setting is giving me very short stitches, about 2/32 of an inch is the length of the longest stitch setting now. To be honest, I don't really know the length of the stitches before but I would think they would be longer. Any suggestions to get longer stitches or is that the normal length for this machine?
Hello Sharon. The stitch length lever is connected to linkages that flow towards the feed dogs which adjusts them for stitch length. See if you can trace a path from the lever to the dogs (might want strong flashlight) and while following along, try oiling or using penetrant spray or heat (carefully) to be sure all of the moving parts along that path are free. Even when you have succeeded in getting most of the machine parts moving (Congratulations on that as I know how ornery they can be when stuck), it only takes one set of moving parts to limit how the machine is supposed to run optimally.
I think I showed something along these lines in a recent video of (I think) a Singer 15-30. The owner said it would not go into reverse and so I show how to follow along the linkage paths to address possible sticking points between the control knob and the feed dogs.
Thank you, I will try that and see what happens. I have watched a few of your videos, they are very interesting and informative. I was just watching your videos on restoring the machine tables as my Atlas came in a table and it does need some restoration done on it. Thanks again.
🎄 Merry Christmas to the VSMG! 🎄
The 400 series really appeal to me, but they are fairly rare here in the UK. Most people had very little money to spend on sewing machines in the '50s here, whereas it was boom time across the pond.
I have a later 466 stylist to restore. Unfortunately it has some plastic gears which I will replace, but it's a start. Eventually I will swap it for a 201k probably. I actually got it for the table which is the most beautiful I have ever seen.
This is a wonderful hobby!
Do you ever have to replace springs?
You can replace springs and they are often available at low cost. I should note that springs require replacing far less often than some other wear items though. Gosh, even springs were made better back in the day.
Same to you!