These old (but good) mechanicals just require oiling to keep them moving. The old oil solidifies and starts sticking the moving parts together until they eventually seize. Just pick up a bottle of Tri-Flow Synthetic Oil at the hardware store. Open the top, left side, and the bobbin area. Gently hand rotate the handwheel and while watching where metal rubs against metal, apply a couple drops of oil in each spot. (Avoid plastic, rubber...anything not metal or the motor. The motor may or may not have an oil port. If it has one, apply some oil, otherwise do not oil the motor.) Be sure to get the needlebar movement, the feed dogs and drop feed dog lever mechanism, also the stitch length & width lever mechanisms, also the edge of the shuttle. To speed things up, direct hot air from a handheld hairdryer into the internal mechanism or set the machine in the hot sun for a few hours. The oil/heat treatment may need to be repeated if it has been a long time since maintenance. When the machine is working again, remember to keep it oiled and cleaned on a regular basis to keep it running.
R.A., June 2016
