I've just been given a second hand Gritzner, which seems very old but in a good condition (I think!). The first problem is that it doesn't get going when I press the foot control. I can turn the wheel at the side and make it stitch, but it won't pick up speed by itself. i can hear it is trying to though!

I also don't know if I'm threading it properly or how to alter the tension (too loose on the underside). If anyone has any experience with German sewing machines, any advice would be much appreciated.

Lizinka, January 2010

Hello Lizinka,
I think this is a problem with a worn rubber wheel.
Dismount the hand wheel at the right side (you have to use carefully 2 scew drivers as levers after you have turned off the central screw). Then you can dismount the cover at the right side (3 screws). Now you can see the motor. Operate the lever at the back side, next to the motor (with the small wheel at the end). So you can see the motor bobbing. In the upper position the rubber wheel at the top of the motor is moving the stitch-mecanism, in the lower position the rubber wheel at the bottom of the motor is moving the shaft for loading lower thread rolls at the back of the machine. The rubber wheel at the bottom usually is in good condition, so you can check the function of the motor. If it is running in lower position but not in upper position, you have to replace the rubber wheel at the top.
Let me know, if you have further problems. I'll help.
Let me also know, if you want to sell the machine.

Dieter, March 2010

If the machine is running really slow it could be a motor problem, if the stitching is not right you will need to keep altering the tension until you get it as you want it.

drivewithken, January 2010