Singer Featherweight Tutorial - How to remove the thread take-up and tension assembly

[@mjremy2605]

So interesting to see how to take this apart. Very mechanical and not the best access points. Kenmore is so much easier to get access to. Excellent video, what a pro you are! Thank for no music!!!

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! Thank you for watching! I plan on getting into several of the Kenmores after I finish this series. They are pretty sound machines and so much more affordable than some of the vintage Singers.

[@KarenC-rv2zp]

Absolutely love this tutorial. Exactly what I was looking to restore my 1957 221 featherweight. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledgeable

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Glad it was helpful!

[@meganmills6545]

Ooh, this is great - I've been looking forward to this, it's lovely to see another good vid posted again so soon after the last one.

[@ladoguerie]

Thank you!

[@ffets-SEP]

This part looks quite difficult. I've got a different type of sewing machine (Pfaff, a German model) and the oil inside became very sticky, because I wasn't using the machine for several years. So I decided, to give it to an expert to have it cleaned. Nevertheless, it's quite interresting to watch other people taking stuff apart and learn, how it works inside. It's a real marvel how those dozens of parts work perfectly together!

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Yes, the inside of a Pfaff or even a Bernina would be very different! Many more parts. I have a couple of each. :) Hoping to do videos on them one day when I complete my 99 series and one on the 201.

[@laurawallis6165]

How important is to remove the set screw on the counter weight from the hole in the back of the machine?

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hello! I would say unless you have a good reason to like a broken main shaft or counter weight, then it's not important. Assuming you are talking about the screw that holds the counterweight to the shaft. If you are talking about the screw that holds in the thread take up, I take that one out every machine so that I can really clean the thread take up system. I hope that helps!

[@user-wu3fz6ii9l]

I can’t seem to get the tiny set screw from the tension out. I’ve used the oil and different screwdrivers and I feel like I’m just stripping it…. Any suggestions???

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi, do you mean the set screw for the tension stud? I lay the machine on the hand wheel so the nose is pointing up which allows me to get some extra pressure on the screw when I am removing it. Also, the hole is so narrow it is really important to make sure that you are using the right size screwdriver. If you have done all that and you think you are damaging the head of the screw then you can always clean that bit of the tension in place. Or procure a replacement screw before you make the decision to get it out at all cost. I hope that helps you, stuck screws are never fun!

[@alisharode1559]

Hi I'm having trouble getting the big screw undone for the thread take up. I've soaked it in oil & used shit yards bastard but no luck.... now what?

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi, I haven't heard of that product so I can't speak for it. Kroil is my go to oil for stubborn stuck screws. If you have the Chapman Screwdriver set 9600 it comes with a handy tool that slides onto the screw driver and you can get a little more force into the turn. Of course you can always try an impact drill but you just need to be very careful not to damage anything inside the nose. Hopefully you get it free!

[@katemoore2980]

Hello, help! I cannot get the tension stud out of my black singer featherweight 221k. I have tried areokroil, a hair dryer. The stud turns about 1/2 turn, and I can pull it out about 1/4 inch after which it seems to get hung up on something. I have remover the set screw from the machine. The very tip of the stud, where you slip the tension unit on seems to be slightly bent. Any ideas on how I can get the stud removed? Thanks so much. Kathleen Moore

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi Kate! Ugh, sorry to hear about this. I would try tapping it out from the back. I know there is little room to work with in the nose but if you have the right tools, that is what I would do. If you want to grab and pull the stud from the front then I would use nylon tip pliers and grab the stud as close the the body of the machine as you can. Then grip and twist back and forth while pulling. You may end up pinching the front end of the stud together when you do that so you will have to bend it back. Carefully of course :) If you can get the tension releasing pin to come out before you tap the back, even better. I have had them hang up too, and twisting and pulling or tapping from the back always has worked. Once you get it out you may need to inspect the back of the stud before you put it back in, figure out what caused the issue in the first place. And clean out the hole it goes into really well...good luck, let me know if this helps!

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Also, another option is just to leave it and clean around it. That is always a safe option as long as you can get it seated and turned properly in the hole. Just keep that in mind...

[@katemoore2980]

Hello Jennifer, I guess the areokroil worked! I came home from work and tried to get the stud to spin 360 degrees with no luck, nor would it budge more than 1/4 inch out of the whole. I took a set of jewelers pliers and wrapped a rag around them. I then grabbed the stud and pulled straight out from the machine. The stud came right out. I felt in the whole and all along the stud and felt no resistance as to why it was stuck. I do believe the 1/4 can of areokroil did the job! Many thanks to you and Bob Fowler!

[@raclac3770]

@@SewingMachineRehab Thank you so much. I was having the same issue but the penetrating oil and a little work with my nylon pliers released it. I was able to get the pin out before we went to this step.