that sounds so smooth!!!

it doesn't go to 11. LOLOLOLOL Jokes aside i'm totally going to recalibrate my 500a now.

Greetings! Do you work on other people's PA motors? I have a motor and new replacement bearing assembly, but don't have the proper tools. Thanks!

Great video. Bernina's first rotary hook domestic machines were copies of Singer 221 rotary hook, such as the Kl. 117. Not quite interchangeable, but clearly copied. I've also found Featherweights with the hook a little too far away from the needle, so easier to catch the guard.

😂

I have very signifiant experience with the Singer #500 sewing machines. I learned to sew on one in 1962 and have owned several. There are many issues here.. This machine is "running rough", this could be the result of an inexperienced repair-person loosening a gear and re-seating it causing binding and lack of smoothness ( back in the day, Singer stipulated that the machines be returned to the factory for re-seating and regrinding ). I hear a loose bobbin case due to the need for proper adjustment. The motor is straining to start, due to an improperly lubricated machine and the upper motor bearing ( ball ) is dry and growling. A well cleaned and polished motor commutator will result in a "smooth running motor"... All the "speculations in the world" will not remedy these issues..

Youve said what others like or use, youve said what not to use, but you didnt say what you used lol, what lubricant did you use in this motor please and thank you!!

Great channel, I'll be back!

This was very helpful, thank you! I've been using my machine a few days now, and come to find out, the tensioner wasn't even in place properly. It was way too tight and I had no idea it was supposed to disengage when the presser foot is up. I set it properly and calibrated it, and it's working much more consistently now. I got my 500A for free with a full set of accessories and the original manual because a neighbor threw it out with their trash. It's mine for life now!

😂😂😂😂😂😂 i have the exact same washing machine and i just ordered a sonic cleaner for my 101 so this short is super funny to me🤣🤣🤣🤣

What size Bessey clamp set is that? My HD has them but they’re 1/2” and 3/4”. It also says the pipe needs to be threaded, but I take it just at one end?

Thanks, very useful. My 101 motor did not have any washers! I just put back in the worm gear and I also put the other screw in half way, then the screw that goes against the flat spot. Tip: To stop the worm gear from spinning, use blue painter's tape to attach it to the body. Then you can hold the motor stable with your left hand and use the screwdriver with your right hand, without the worm gear spinning.

I like the pipe clamp with feet , , I've never seen that before

Nice job. a few drops of oil before assembling really hes, and polish the shaft real nice. also if the bearing is giving problems, soak it is acetone and dry ice, it will fall into place.. Then soak the shaft soak the shaft in dry ice and acetone, , , ,adding thin oil to the acetone is really necessary. . . .oil on everything. really, , , nice work.

I have pressed many bearings over the years in different circumstances and I use sockets from my toolbox. Usually there is always a socket that will work. Nice video, thank you.

I think I’m gonna have to watch this about 50 times having trouble with my tension knob😢 Thanks for making this video!

This is interesting. My wife has a 221 and a 222. The 222 is fine. The 221 has problems with thread getting behind the bobbin case. I'll be pulling them out and checking for the damage you describe.

Thank you for your videos.

Thank you. I have owned my 500a since the mid 60’s and the thread tension was really my only issue with my machine. I received a Bernina 1130 as a gift from my husband in the late 80’s which I like very much but kept my 500a as a back up. I plan to tackle correcting the tension issues soon as I plan to gift the little jewel to my granddaughter soon.

Hello, I experienced the exact same thing with the soft metal on the needle bar clamp. I’m looking for a better fitting screwdriver head to use after it sits for awhile in some penetrating oil. Your video is very informative, I’m going to look at your other ones as well. I do have a question: where did you get the little black screwdriver? Looks super handy for those tiny screws. Thanks and looking forward to more of your content.

I had the same problem on a 503 so I ended up just making a new pin from a nail. Unfortunately I had to figure it out and make it from scratch because I couldn't find a solution searching on the internet.

I would like to order som of these springs. What are the steps to do so? Keith

Thank you for that. I’m waiting for my 500A to arrive and trying to find out as much as possible about them. I’ve done a lot with 99Ks and their tension disc set ups but this is quite different. Very interesting about the bar in the indicator and the tension release pin.

This is a fantastic video, and makes a point I never considered about the springs bearing the torque!

These springs in the gear/clutch mechanism for the Singer Model 101 are often found broken. There is no source to purchase spares, but I have been able to make them. Need one? Check out the full video for contact information!

I've never worked on a 101 so this was fascinating to me. Yes, what a wimpy spring for what it does! I found 15 other springs on the 101 parts list, but not the one you made. It's like they were embarrassed to even list it, haha. You have a tone and presentation like my Grandfather and the video reminds me of the time I watched him make a new part for the fuel pump on his 1950 Chevy truck. Your production values are still the best, and when I grow up I want to make videos as well as you. Thanks for sharing.

Fabulous video. Thank you for posting it;

What great engineering. The 101 is really over engineered. My favorite Singer is the 201-2. I've brought several of them back to life. To listen to the motor and gears humming away is very satisfying. Do you happen to know what country designed and engineered the 201-2? I know that they were made in USA, Great Britain, and Germany.

Sorry that last comment wasn’t very clear I was using speak to text while the video was playing lol I am missing I just checked my selector gold aluminum pieces mine is aluminum and it is flat as well another issue thank you very much and I am definitely missing the adapter and that brown cap dang it I had a little clamp on it with repress them in and it kind of worked but not well enough for me to use it so thank you so much if you know where I could buy the adapter in the brown thing I would be greatly appreciated everything else on this machine is original and I have the original Copenhagen desk that it came in so I would like to get old pieces of possibly you know where those are at thank you very much have a blessed day Jen

Oh my goodness thank you for this video I have a singer 500 a Rocketeer and perfect condition beautiful machine everything is perfect but my tensions wacky I’ve had it for about two years never been able to get it right and a riddle to use it watching your video I’m missing the adapter and the dial that little piece that goes inside the brown piece I miss both of those they’re just not on the machine I have the gold up over one around one with the plus minus I’m not missing it man now I know why the older singers I have don’t have that cap so I didn’t even notice it was missing. Thank you so much next question do you by chance know where I could buy the adapter in the dial?

Thank you!

I have a similar Rocketeer, mint condition, had very little use when I got it, but it ran bad, motor sounded off. I rebuilt the motor, put in a new bearing, with same results. When I swapped out the motor for another newly rebuilt one it ran like a Swiss clock! Original motor probably had a bent shaft from the factory and original owner didn’t use it much because of this problem. Thanks for all your wonderful videos!

Nice! I've come to love the wide/spoon hemmers! Those narrow hemmer feet, tho.... not so much ;)

Very nice. This is a great resource. I have my wife's great grandmother''s 1898 Singer 27 'Sphinx' in que for reconditioning (and a little cabinet repair.) Thank you!

I could sit and watch that for hours!

Well shot!!

OMG LOLOLOL!

🙌

I love all the comments about grandmas :) My grandma has a brown crinkle-finish Kenmore that she's made us pillowcases and aprons on :)

Nice. My mom had a Free-Westinghouse many years ago. If ebay was around then, it would still be working.

My grandmothers had similar machines.

My mother had one I loved to watch her sew

My grandma also has this sewing machine she got it from my great grandma

They sure don't make things like they used to.

When these bronze bushings were made they were impregnated with oil under high pressure, so you are right, only clean the bearing with fresh oil. Also I believe these are oil wicks, not grease wicks. The worm gear would get greased. Great Video!

The LAST really great Singer sewing machine. Built to last forever.

Thank you soooo much for this! Fixed my 500j!

Very helpful video! I cleaned up mt new-to-me FW 222 and found a big clump of thread behind the hook I've never seen in my other vintage machines. I got the FW for my small space, to use for piecing and make clothes. I played with a little bit of darning yesterday and it felt so awkward I wouldn't FMQ with it . The harp is too small & motor isn't overly powerful either. I'd need to find a table for my 201 to FMQ with 🤔

Very interesting topic! Over the years I have heard quilters say that they absolutely love the hook on the 301 and 221 specifically for quilting. I am not sure how many of them free motion on them, I think the majority of them use them for piecing. Obviously piecing and free motion quilting are very different actions. I think the damage we see to the thread loop guard also comes from trying to sew through too many layers of fabric or really heavy duty things. When you look at the hook on the 301 and 221 I also think about how easy they are to remove and adjust. (In my opinion) That would have been a plus for any home seamstress who wanted to maintain their machine. They are pretty straightforward. Now, moving on to the hooks in say the 400 series….way better for free motion, less problems while you are sewing, for sure! Also, I see way less damage on these hooks when I restore them. I am sure that is because their design is actually better. But…when it comes to adjusting and general maintenance, they feel just a little bit trickier. If you don’t have the thread clearance set correct around the bobbin case positioning spring bracket or something is wonky with the positioning finger (I have had to replace those) you can really pull your hair out. So…I think you will find that people are divided into two camps on this. But you are definitely correct, the 301/221 hook assembly wasn’t the best design and prone to problems. I never have taken one off without finding thread wrapped around inside.

Thank you so much for this info! I was gifted with a family keepsake from my dear son in law's grandmother. I definitely don't want to harm it because I really want to gift it to one of their girls when they get bigger. I want to be a good caretaker and this was great!