How to Check & Set the Height of the Feed Dog on a Singer Model 221 Featherweight

[@carolemagnusson5044]

Thank you for the eccentric screw removal and explanation of the eccentric. When I have adjusted a feed dog height, it seemed "magical" to me that by turning the eccentric, the feed dog raised or lowered, and then the eccentric itself was far away from the feed dog. Now I can see that screw and what it does, and know how it operates. I really appreciate this part of the video; well, I appreciate all the parts of the video! Those close-up pictures of the feed dog teeth to the plate are so useful for me. What a clever diffuser your wife designed--washable, easily removable, and stays on firmly.

[@andytubesewing1953]

It is like magic! The first time I read a Service Manul about setting the FD height I could not believe going to that eccentric at the right is how to do it. Then I read the part about setting the timing by loosening the gear on the right! That's when I fell in love with service manuals, haha. I never would have understood how that worked without them. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing the eccentric screw. I wonder who came up with that type of connection? I'm always mentioning "eccentric" this and that and don't know why I never showed one before. My wife saw my handkerchief wrapped around the flashlight and tied in knots, haha. She is the sewist extraordinaire, IMO, and has sewn me some clever tool pouches that fold or roll up compactly for taking in my small bag when I go to test a machine before buying. Thanks for watching, Carole, and take care.

[@cthlhu]

Andy is the Bob Ross of Sewing Machines! I have these videos on in the background as i work and clean some vintage machines. Such a great resource!

[@andytubesewing1953]

Wow! 😊 One of the nicest compliments I ever received! Thank you, and thanks for watching my channel.

[@GaryT1952]

I learn so much watching these videos Andy. I don't have a 221, but many procedure are the same for my 15-91. Really like those Chapman hollow ground bits...they have that little knurled end that makes "finger tight" easy. Looking forward to seeing what is binding in the hook assembly.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks for watching. Over all my Chapman set is great. Nice features like the mini-rachet and knurled ends on the bits are like a bonus. I worked a little on the noise this morning with out any luck. I guess I better pull the hook right off the shaft and see what's going on. Should be a fun video, hopefully. Take Care,

[@kathiego233]

I think the chapter feature is great. Thank you for all your hard work! Kathy from Southeastern Arizona

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks, Kathy. I'm glad you like it and thanks for still watching my channel.

[@athertonca]

Your videos are chock full of useful information. Thanks to you, I had the confidence to take the nose cover off my modern Baby Lock, diagnose and fix the problem (it was a super easy fix, but still...). Also thanks to you, I have a set of feeler gauges and of the Chapman hollow ground bits, which I purchased in a pink case, so my husband couldn’t later mistakenly think they were his. 😁

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thank you, and nicely done to fix your Baby Lock. It's a sign of a true repair person when they start identifying their tools. The pink case is a brilliant idea ✨🚀👍 Next thing you know you'll be engraving your initials on the feeler gauge cover 👀

[@TerryInOttawa]

I'm always impressed how clean and new the parts look after the Krud Kutter treatment. It also makes it easier to inspect for damage or wear. That's a good tip on the sequential tightening of the screws on the feed dog. This video also touches on one of my two problem areas, tracking down sounds (anxious to see what you find, and eliminating binding (never enough to stop the machine but just enough to inhibit free-wheeling motion).

[@andytubesewing1953]

I feel fortunate I saw and bought the Krud Kutter that day at The Home Depot. I agreed about sound and binding. It still hard for me at times to track down the cause of it, especially the binding. With a noise I can eventually find it after removing parts, but there are so many points that can bind when the parts are moving it can be very frustrating to pinpoint. Very. Thanks for watching Terry, and take care.

[@NolaTheAlamoChiliQueen]

These videos are so informative, I learn something new on each one. I love the trick with the pin to see if it lifts!

[@andytubesewing1953]

thanks very much, Nola! You don't have a 221, but every model you own has a feed dog, right? Take Care.

[@mrsworms]

Thank you Andy for this great content. My featherweight had a hard pull to the left and created a pucker in my seams. A minor adjustment to the height of my feed dogs was just what she needed. The stitch is great with no puckers and pulling of the fabric. Stitches are perfect again. Blessings.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I so glad you found the video. It can be surprising to me that just a "bit off" on an adjustment can affect a stitch so much. Happy sewing, and thanks for sharing the story.

[@fayefromtexasthingstodo516]

@@andytubesewing1953 like to watch .

[@lbarkley1]

Excellent. I like the idea of using the pin in the groove. I never thought of doing that. I tried it and it worked great. Try putting a drop of oil on your rotating hook and see if your noise goes away. I find that to be the reason for a lot of rattle in that area. It is worth a try.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I'll try it! I keep thinking the feed bar is hitting something or loose, but can't narrow it down. I think I'll just pull the whole hook off in the next video. I can see thread caught up in it anyway, so may as well check it out. Thanks for watching, Lin and commenting on my videos. Take Care.

[@meganmills6545]

I am loving these chapters - and that inspired "lifting the pin" feed dog test deserves a marker of its own. I love it! My pins are looking a bit nervous now though... dreading a beheading in their midst. :-D

[@andytubesewing1953]

Haha, the pin test. Could not find my reading glasses. My fried said he has used a flat toothpick before with good results, so maybe your pins are safe for now? Thanks for watching.

[@nathaliepalladino4128]

Glad to see that you are working on you are working on your machines! I have a 221 and a 404 arriving today! I am watching the clock as I write. The first 404 that was delivered to me came damaged as the case was put on backwards. I was crushed that this beautiful machine was hurt. Keep up the GREAT work Andy.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Too sad that first 404😢 I'm glad you found another and a 221 also? Wheee!! Good times ahead. Thanks forwatchingf and saving those machines.

[@lindadevuyst9311]

Thank you so much, and thank your wife too for her help

[@andytubesewing1953]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching. ✨

[@penelopevetrosky2934]

Thank you SO much. I have my mothers 1948??? FW 221. was making a horrible clunking sound. I could see the dog ear assembly was coming into contact with.... ( where needle hook lives whatever that part is called) . Found your video. Well, Its not making the noise. Its put back together and appears to be sewing. 🤞🤞🤞 we will know more later.!!!

[@andytubesewing1953]

I'm glad you found the video and thanks for commenting, Penelope. Here are my other 25 videos for model 221 in case you have any other issues. Happy sewing.

[@Bobwilliams-tj2ou2024]

Thank you Mister Andy Tube for sharing your knowledge and love for vintage sewing machines. We pray that you keep your work for many more years! Love, Roberto Verdugo. San Diego California.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thank you very much for your kind words, Roberto. I appreciate your support of my efforts. Take Care Sir.

[@tryzz8]

eccentric and a genius, great teacher. you are very easy to follow, great video thank you.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. You are very kind for a Dragon! Take care.

[@pattylevasseur2645]

awesome job as always andy;];];] learned something newabout adjusting.... now does that also go for the fastionmate 237 on height? or is every machine different heights for the feed dogs? love the needle testing the best;];];]

[@andytubesewing1953]

Very nice question, Patty! 🚀 In general the vintage Singer models I have worked on the height would be .040 to .043 and usually highest setting would be with the bottom "V" between the teeth no higher than the top of the needle plate. That's normal ranges. You can go a little higher or lower if you want/need to just be aware all the presser feet and attachments are made for the .040 to .043 height. Thanks for asking and take care.

[@cynthiaporter8300]

Did you ever figure out the rattling? Mine does too. I think it is the counter balance that is right up snug to the left side. It’s almost like the hole through the counterbalance is a bit too big. I also think that my set screw on the counterbalance isn’t quite long enough to really set tight to the flat spot on the shaft. What are your thoughts on this?

[@AsYouLikeIt_Zendi21]

great I love chapters

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks for watching my channel. 🙏

[@mariamarfil1620]

Mr. Andy: I think of you and wish you return to us.😢❤️

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thank you ✨

[@sherrywilliamson9535]

My 221 feed dogs wont go through full rotation with throat plate screwed down. What could be the problem?

[@andytubesewing1953]

Sherry, I think you are saying the feed dog hits the needle plate? It is a rare occurrence so I don't usually make a video about it. If you watched the video on this page it shows how to set the dog at the correct height, and there is a similar adjustment for setting the dog front to back in the needle plate slots, it is just at a different screw. You can download a free copy of the Adjusters Manual for this model at this link: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0992/8814/files/FW221_Adjuster_s_Manual.pdf?7223313128764594508 If you look at page 27 (of the manual, not the PDF,) you'll see the instructions in words and pictures. It is not hard to do and just takes a few minutes. Look for "To adjust the position of the feed dog lengthwise.... at the bottom of the page. Just like in this video, you loosen a nut, turn a screw to adjust, and then tighten the nut. Maybe the nut vibrated loose? Who knows, but you should be able to fix it. Yes, you can do it! 😊Thanks for watching my channel. ✨

[@sherrywilliamson9535]

Andy Tube omg! I can’t believe you answered me! My precious machine was accidentally dropped. It seemed to sew fine until it broke a needle. Now when the wheel is turned it is stuck unless throat plate is unscrewed. I am so nervous to take it for repair here in Greenville SC. I will look at what you sent. Thank you so much

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@sherrywilliamson9535 OK, that's a lot more info, isn't it? Dropped Machine... Broken needle... If you live under a lucky star then maybe the feed dog location screw was just jarred by the fall. The concern is bent shafts after a fall like that. Did you find the end of the broken needle? If it got stuck inside the hook it can cause the problem you describe. Take the bobbin case out if you haven't. already. You may want to dismantle the hook kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZmlgJucgNqmftk and clean it looking for the broken needle kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6rCqqJ6Z6iVja8 Hooboy.... sending good thoughts for you and your machine

[@sherrywilliamson9535]

Andy Tube my daughter dropped it. I don’t want her to feel bad! BUT this is my Featherweight!! We did find the broken tip. But when we screw down the throat plate the feed dogs wont go through full rotation. Unscrew they will. Why did it sew untill needle broke. I can’t tell you how much your help means. Is it timing? Is it unrelated to fall? How do I find reputable repairman?

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@sherrywilliamson9535 You're asking questions I have no way of knowing what to answer. I can't get hands-on your machine to diagnose it. Here is a video for checking and setting the timing you can watch and just check to see if the timing is OK or not without using tools. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKGkiK2Arrtjf7s Here are some notable featherweight businesses you could ask about repair www.novamontgomery.com/quilt-guild-programs.htm singer-featherweight.com/pages/contact-us I'm sure there are others. Scott does nothing but vintage sewing machine repair and restoration. Several videos on KZbin and here is his Facebook page facebook.com/SEWINGMACHINERESTORATION/ Scotts KZbin Channel kzbin.info

[@fayefromtexasthingstodo516]

Mone is a Singer featherweight. Not 221. This having trouble with the feed dog will not pull the material. I may get another feed dog. The points seem dull. Thanks all you showed all the time. I love working and small things and so as my son. Thanks again .

[@andytubesewing1953]

What model number? Be sure the presser foot is pushing down on the fabric. If the presser foot has no tension the dog can't pull the fabric. Good Luck.