While sewing, the needle struggled to move up and down. I tried to move the handwheel but that was very stiff. The motor sounds fine and the bobbin winder works. I have cleaned the race plate area there were no obstructions. I have taken the back cover off and the belts are fine and nothing appears to be broken.

Marnie, February 2011

After extensive cleaning of the raceway the problem kept returning. I thought it was because the fabrics were shredding lots of threads but the machine would lock up after a short a amount of sewing.

I took the back of again to try and identify exactly where the stiffness was originating and notice what seemed like a lubrication point/grease nipple on the "big end" of the crank shaft. A few drops of oil there and the machine is now working like new again.

Marnie, June 2011

Hello Marnie,
If the balance wheel turns okay when you are winding a bobbin at full speed but is very tight when trying to sew it could be one of several things. check the raceway thoroughly for stuck thread, if that is okay get some WD40 and oil all the moving parts that you can get to especially the needle bar but don't flood it, that is all it can be but I would still check the raceway thoroughly.

ken, February 2011