Stuck Needle Positioning Wheel Fix - Elna Star Supermatic Series 62C SU, SP (special) and TSP

It's common for the needle positioning wheel to become stuck or difficult to turn on the Elna Star Supermatic series of sewing machines. Models covered are the 62C SU, SP (special) and TSP.
This video covers freeing up the wheel without damaging it. The temptation could be to try to pry the wheel loose with pliers or such like but that can damage or break the plastic wheel.
I show how to free up the wheel by targeting lubricant and the right amount of heat to the correct places. This can be done with all parts intact, except for the lid which is removed. It's very often not necessary to remove the entire elnagraph mechanism. In the worst case scenario this method may not work and the elnagraph may need to be removed, which I don't cover in this video. that subject is covered in one of my previous videos - • Elna Supermatic Star S...
The wheel seizes up because the wheel may not often be used and/or the machine has been sitting for a long time and the wheel shaft seizes up. It's not necessary for the wheel to be freed up to use basic functions of the machine, such as pattern stitches and straight stitching.
The purpose of the needle positioning wheel is to position the needle off center, such as left or right and anywhere in between. This is useful when sewing zippers and doing buttonholes, amongst other things.
Molly the cat makes an appearance.
Index:
0:00 - Introduction
0:31 - What is the wheel used for?
2:17 - Assessing the three different models
3:23 - Accessing the wheel internally
4:00 - A close look at the problem and the plan to fix it
7:37 - Freeing up the wheel
16:45 - Molly turns up and receives a donation
17:51 - More on freeing up the wheel
18.40 - Reinstalling the lid
18:53 - Thanks
19:07 - Molly gets her donation treat
Web site - www.institches.co.nz
If you'd like to support my channel, please visit - www.patreon.com/sewingmachines

[@singingscience]

Many, many thanks. I love my Elna SU - it was my mother's and was the machine I learned on. I don't want any other machine. I went to put buttonholes on the corners of a duvet today, and the disc was completely seized up. Can't believe I found a tutorial to fix my exact problem! Thanks again- will be looking for more Elna wisdom in your catalog!

[@suekerr4089]

Thank you for this fabulous video. I recently bought my second Elna 62C -- super clean inside and beautiful stitching, but the needle position wheel was stuck fast. I have been heating with a hairdryer and oiling for about 30 minutes a day for 8 days now. Happy to report that very slowly, but very surely, it is loosening up. I now have it rotating the full amount in both directions. Still a wee bit too stiff to move without a cloth when cold. Nice and free when hot. I ended up using a small piece of fabric, soaked in penetrating oil, and packed up under the plastic wheel, and into the cavity where the shaft ends. I think it's helping to get the oil into the right places. All this to say: be patient and persistent. It might take a sustained effort, but it will come right eventually.

[@anyakotlar6680]

Thank you so much . I have fixed my new Elna . It took me 2 hours and I did get the blisters, but the needle is free.

[@megwem]

fantastic video, I had my machine serviced by a professional and they said it was locked up and there was nothing to do about it. I did it with a hair dryer and it worked perfectly! Thank you for making this video for those of us who love our old sewing machines!

Had the exact same problem two years ago with my second hand Elna Zig-Zag, hair dryer from the outside and some wiggle did fix it! Has been running like a champ since then. After acquiring it and realizing how good it is, I bough another one for my mum!

[@InStitches]

It's good you didn't have one that was too bad. They certainly are great machines.

[@elizenolte4687]

Thank you. I managed to free my Star SU.

[@galakz]

Excellent video! I wish the repair shop had seen a video like this before I dropped off my machine with a stuck wheel last January. The shop ended up melting the wheel and locking up a bunch of other parts inside. But, thanks to your amazing videos and a new wheel from White Sewing Center in Missouri, I was able to fix it myself and get everything working beautifully again.

[@InStitches]

Great to hear you got it sorted. thanks.

[@tinyhandmadedolls4529]

So helpful! This solved the firmly stuck dial on my new (old) 64C. Every time it cooled it was stuck fast again. It took a lot of repetition, 30 seconds of hairdryer each time. Very satisfying once it starts turning smoothly! I didn’t even know until then that there’s a light “click” stop to mark centre. I used triflow and recommend that for those like me who couldn’t find the kind you mentioned. Thanks again, I love your videos.

[@InStitches]

Great to hear you managed to free it up. Thanks.

[@suannehunt1965]

Unbelievable! Thank you so so much for this video. I recently inherited my mothers old Elna supermatic which I learnt to sew on. It had not been used for twenty five years and I always loved it. I had it serviced ($250) and they told me the needle position wheel could not be repaired. I thought I'd give it a go myself after watching your video (oh how I wish you were in Australia) and low and behold I have it moving again. I used a little WD40 and a hair dryer very carefully. You are a very good teacher and the video is excellent!

[@alexaelliott2598]

Excellent demonstration. I have an SU. It’s brilliant. Perfect stitches and quiet. Pats for your fur baby too.

[@InStitches]

Thank you so much! One of the smoothest sewing machines ever made. I use one when I make shirts. Amazing buttonholes too.

[@kendramaffenbeier3374]

So thankful for this video! You solved my problem with my SU all the way over in Canada!

[@InStitches]

Thanks and glad I could help, from a fellow Commonwealther.

[@marksmale827]

I have a S/H Elna SP (New Aspect) and the needle position control is stuck. I didn't realise that this was a common problem. I used the later Elna Carina (=Air Electronic SU), a wonderful machine, for decades without realising that it also had adjustable needle position!

[@InStitches]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cschultz9318]

Thank you for the great video. I was able to unfreeze my positioning wheel on a 62C. I was using a hair dryer. I had to get it pretty hot to get results, but I was cautious about not melting anything.

[@InStitches]

Nice one. Thanks.

[@cherylknight7459]

Thank you so much. This was exactly what I needed.

[@InStitches]

Great to hear it was helpful. Thanks.

[@robinhowell9834]

Thanks for the video. I've wondered for years how to get the wheel to move more freely.

[@zaboune011]

Thank you! 🎉

[@veroniqueabel7171]

Thank you *very* much, kisses to Molly 😘

[@InStitches]

Molly accepts kisses, but only on her terms :) - Thanks.

[@heathermacdonald9496]

Thank so much for your thorough videos on the Elna SU! I found one at an estate sale about 3 years ago. It was in pretty good order and after having a service it runs like a champ. I’m new to sewing and having your videos on the SU to refer back to (many times) has helped me immensely! I also just watched your button video which has given me some confidence to give it a try. I recently purchased a Pfaff 78 from an estate sale. Do you have any plans on making a video for a Pfaff models? Thank you again for your lovely videos!

[@InStitches]

I do have some Pfaff machines so maybe one day I'll do some videos based on them. Thanks.

[@StacyMitchell-ik8nl]

I found this link while searching for a replacement wheel. If I had found this 15 minutes before I broke would have been great! So, I'm in search of a replacement wheel. Got any ideas? Thanks

[@rebecayrasemaavilaojeda7517]

Quisiera saber dónde se puede comprar las piezas de respuesto,incluyendo las poleas de la máquina ELNA SU en toda América,especialmente México y Florida,Maiami.Muchas Gracias.

[@wbertacchini]

Mine is working now thanks to you. Is there a way to re calibrate how far the needle goes when the wheel is set to the far left position?(or centered come to think of it) it's a smidge off now.

[@InStitches]

Hi, yes it's in the service manual which you should be able to find online. Thanks.

[@user-fc1nh6ot3l]

My Elna 62SU has a different needle positioning problem. Turning the wheel no longer has any effect on the needle position. Can that be fixed somehow?

[@paulinepeplow1480]

I have 2 Questions please if you will? Can I use kerosene (The grasshopper uses it in the bobbin race)Would that thin up gunked oil? Or put the machine in a black trash bag & leave it in the sun for a while to loosen the gunk? Love pussers & woofers. Thank You

[@InStitches]

Maybe kerosene would work but not sure. You'd want to be sure it does not affect plastics in any way. Warming the machine up certainly helps. Thanks.

[@deweydodo6691]

If your dial wheel is not stuck yet, take a spray can of penetrating oil, direct the red straw under the wheel and give it a shot of spray..

[@rociobach4642]

Hello I bought an Elna 64 flat bed. I cleaned, oiled and greased it. When I push the pedal the motor sound but the belt it not engaged. Do you know what is wrong.TIA.

[@InStitches]

There's an idler pulley that needs replacing.

[@stevebachnick]

As your machine has no motor belt. Your motor pulley is damage or slipping. This part can be expensive or not available.Check out my Elna motor pulley repair at kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6GxnpiJj5uSfqc

[@InStitches]

@@stevebachnick Thanks. I have the pulley parts in stock generally and they are relatively inexpensive. Contact me via email, my web address is in the description.

[@nadjaschmidt7644]

Warum gibt's hier keine Infos auf deutsch?

[@user-ri1jw7vz2p]

Спасибо большое за видео За субтитры на русском языке 👍👍👍