Elna Supermatic Star Series - Pattern Cam Stack Drive Gear - Part 1 - Replacing the Gear

If your Elna Supermatic Star series sewing machine is not zig zagging, then it's possible that the cam stack drive gear is broken.
Covers models TSP, SU, ST, SP, ZZ, EC - free arm and flat bed.
In part 1, I show the symptoms and a way of identifying if the cam drive gear is broken, prior to even picking up a screw driver.
Part 2 - • Elna Supermatic Star S...
I show step by step procedures on how to replace the cam stack pinion gear by removing the top shaft and the Elnagraph mechanism.
Let's keep these classic sewing machines going for as long as possible because they are great machines and the build quality is brilliant.
Please visit my web site at www.institches.co.nz
www.patreon.com/sewingmachines

[@stevejarvis7439]

Thank you for the excellence videos. I managed to rescue my wife's 45 year old Elna after the repair guy said he could not fix it.

[@neilthomas649]

Thank you for one of the best repair videos I have seen!

[@Duckster183]

Oh boy this is my problem! I have an Elna TSP 72C. I think with my husband watching over me and this video, not the same machine but close enough right, I might be able to do this. I have not yet watched Part 2 but replacing the timing belt scares me to death! My belt looks brand new (this is a recent thrift store purchase, my first Elna after 45 years of Singers), the inside is very clean, I have oiled. The Needle Position Dial was frozen but with TriFlow, some heat and oil I am now able to turn it. My Buttonhole Dial Button on top is in the 3 o’clock position instead of the 6 o’clock position as I see in all pictures. When I tried to zz it needs a nudge to go counterclockwise and always stops again at 3 o’clock. I purchased this for my jazz musician grandson who wants to learn to sew, and tailor his own clothes.

[@StagecoachRoadVSMR]

Excellent video. Very clearly shown and explained. You are a natural teacher!

[@galakz]

This video is amazingly helpful. It walked me through repairing my sewing machine after a bad service technician melted my needle position dial while trying to unfreeze it. Thank you so much for making these videos.

[@InStitches]

Glad it helped!

[@cschultz9318]

Thank you so much for such a great video. My problem was a frozen stitch selector on an Elna 33C. Watching this video, toward the end, you demonstrated the stitch selector in action. That was what I needed to help me determine what was supposed to happen and where to apply penetrating oil. It is working smoothly now.

[@InStitches]

Glad it helped!

[@sleepywombat2751]

This pair of videos is just superb for anyone wanting to do the main adjustments on a Star series Elna. I actually came here because I needed to re-align the needle throw on an Elna SU Air Electronic and couldn't see where to do it but got enough of a hint from this. This after your video on how to restore the zig-zag function in this case after what seems like decades of no-use and dried oil almost seizing the mechanism (took hours and lots of WD-40). Also the advice on NEVER reversing the double cams in an Elnagraph - Gold. Many thanks.

[@InStitches]

Thanks.

[@williamkane7538]

incredibly detailed, great instructions.

[@moulino5971]

merciiii dès que j'ai les bons outils, je 'en occupe MERCI !!

[@budact4837]

muy bien explicado !!

[@user-yf7tw7bd3o]

The cams in my Elna Supermatic do not click when entered into the cam holder. They do not install! Help please

[@timnorton3451]

My machine is TSP 72 got top shaft out but can't get to front screw on Elnagraph despite undoing the little black screen to the right can't get screwdriver on the head due to the levers not moving enough no matter how I position the moving plates they won't move aside enough.

[@poppychristie5298]

this video is great! I've managed to achieve everything except removing the 2mm screw from the wormhole gear to loosen the gear enough to move the shaft out. I managed to unscrew it I think but the gear still won't move, I've tried to loosen it with WD40 to no avail. I'm wondering if I have rounded off the thread and now can't move the screw at all. Any advice?? I'm so close yet so far.... thank you, thank you

[@InStitches]

Thanks. Sometimes the gear can bind to the shaft and maybe a little heating could free it, along with your WD40? Make sure not to undo the screw too far.

[@1974HondaCB350F]

Hi there! I have an Elna Star 72 (TSP) model and this is exactly my problem. Thank you very much for taking the time to be thorough about this issue and instructing on how to fix it. It's been super helpful for me! However, I'm still unsure when using the reverse lever is acceptable? My TSP has the 6 cams that you mention at 27:30 in your video. Should I be able to reverse stitch when using any of these 6 modes?

[@InStitches]

The built in cams are all 'single layer' as such and you can use reverse with them. The only cams you shouldn't reverse with are the double layer add in cams that you place on top of the Elnagraph. The second layer controls the reversing automatically and therefore manually reversing can interfere with the mechanism causing it to jam and potentially break the cam stack gear. I see it as a design flaw and maybe an interlock could have been implemented to disable manual reversing in this mode.

[@carolynrogers1510]

Never REVERSE while the elnagraph is engaged with a cam in it.

[@tallygirl98]

@Piper Mccoy I don't know about other machines but I'd err on the side of caution. And disc stitches are usually decorative so theres little reason why you'd reverse while stitching them. I only reverse at the start and end of seams to lock the stitches and often, when constructing garments a seam will be crossed by another anyway so I don't bother. A seam from a good vintage machine will be well tensioned and balanced so the seam itself is strong and shouldnt come undone.

[@amsaka15]

Great video! You mention that you can free a seized needle position wheel without removing it. Any tips on how to do this? PS. Your Patreon page doesn't seem to be configured to accept sign-ups.

[@tallygirl98]

triflow and warmth, lie machine on its back on a towel and get some triflow on the underside of the needle wheel, then leave it in warm position for several days, try to move it each day, and slowly it should free up. You can apply heat from a hairdryer onto the metal parts internally BUT be very careful around plastics with direct heat.

[@piranhatools3198]

Hi, How I can get this spare part? cheers

[@InStitches]

I have these in stock. You could email me. My web site is listed in the description. Thanks.