Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Stubborn old machine!



I talked to someone at APQS in Carroll yesterday about getting this tension knob out. They had told me to take out the screw "around the corner and to the right", and I did, but couldn't get it out. I was afraid to mess with it too much, I didn't want to break anything, so I left it until I could call them.

 They said that was the only screw and that I should spray some WD40 on it, as it might be a bit rusted in. It probably has never been out of the machine. So I did, several times. I sprayed into the screw-hole too. I waited til evening to try again and it still wouldn't come out. So this morning, when it still didn't pull out, I put the screw driver into the slit where the spring comes out and put just a bit of pressure on it and it popped out!
Here it is in all its glory. Can you see the broken spring-hook in the slit?  The next step is to take out that tiny screw on the left end, without losing the pin sticking out, and take it apart. I have picture directions for the next step.
I have to take out the old spring and put in this new one. I don't have time to do it this morning, but will give it a try when I get home later.
 Wish me luck!
 P.S. She told me to take pictures so I knew which direction the tension knob was in so I get it in correctly when I put it back. I'm anxious to get it fixed and running again. I know I will have to adjust and test the tension before I try to quilt as I have been turning it in trying to get it off. So it might be a process!


6 comments:

Susan said...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...good luck!

Kerstin said...

I'll keep my fingers crossed also for you. I hope you get the machine runing in no time.

Karen said...

Hope you get it up and running soon!

Fabricmom said...

Good luck. I pray that it works for you.

Patty said...

Good luck. I can hardly change the blade in my rotary cutter.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Good luck. So far, I've only cleaned and oiled machines. If they need any other servicing, I've just left them alone. I'm a bit afraid.