I checked for thread and lint in the bobbin area and took out the little mecanism, but that didn't set the hand wheel free. I'm thinking it might be the belt since when I lock the wheel to wind the bobbin it works OK, but when I unlock to sew the wheel is frozen. Is this something I can fix myself?

Maureen, March 2010

Hello Maureen,
If the winder works okay and you have the raceway area out completely and if you have then the machine should turn, if it does not then you have a problem, the machinme is seized somewhere, it won't be the belt otherwise the machine would not work when winding a bobbin, it will be a process of elimination to find out where it has seized, very unusual, I cannot remember what make you have but if you have a Singer take the bottom off the machine and check the nylon gear under the raceway area, then take the top off and look at the nylon gear to see if any teeth are broken.

drivewithken, March 2010