I think, I hope, I think it's fixed!

I spent the day yesterday sewing with friends, so when I got home I was anxious to try to fix the tension spring on my quilting machine. The next step to fixing the spring was to unscrew that little screw on the left so that the two pieces could come apart. The spring is in the back half of the tension knob. 

It didn't want to pop apart at first, but I eventually got it apart. The old spring was easy to get out, and I worked the new spring into the space.

Perfect! I put it back together, following the directions they had sent me and reinserted it in the machine at the right angle (I hope!)

I rethreaded, practiced-stitched and adjusted a few times until I got it sewing well.

I hope to get some quilting time on my daughter's quilt later, but I have some painting to do first! The sun is shining and I need to get back at it. I have the second coat of primer to put on the rest of the porch and then get out the taller ladder so I can scrape and paint the trim board above the windows.

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!