Posted 3 years ago
FreeNumber5
(4 items)
Hello Everyone,
I have a Singer 328k sewing machine that I have had for many years, Ever since I got it, the stop motion knob has Not stopped the motion when I wind a bobbin. I have just ignored the issue, meaning that I have to unthread the needle every time I want to wind a bobbin, or it might get tangled in the bobbin assembly, oh bother... I have read up on the subject enough to feel I was confident in taking the stop motion knob off to investigate, and hopefully remedy the situation. AS soon as I carefully removed the knob, the washer fell out, so I didn't see which way it was put on. But from the amount of gunk that was on it, I could tell which side was facing in. I cleaned it all off and noticed that one inner tab turns "in" and the other inner tab turns "out". It's not a flat washer at all, but has wavy indentations evenly spaced around it. Says "Singer, GR Britan, and some numbers I could barely read but I assume they are part #s. My first challenge was to get the washer to stay in place when I put the knob back on. This machine is mounted in a cabinet and I really hated to remove it just to stand the machine on its nose and let gravity help hold it still. I asked questions on FB VSM site and got a lot of suggestions to try. Nothing helped. I turned that washer front to back, back to front, upside down, and right side up, and it still doesn't work. I hate to admit defeat, but I couldn't fix it. Oh well, to continue on like I've always done with this machine. But the reason I finally tried to fix it is, I am getting older and its harder and harder to see to thread the needle. The other solution is: to wind as many bobbins at a time that I can so I don't have to keep unthreading the needle. I should buy alot more bobbins, in that case, as I think it only has 5. Any advice is helpful. Thanks for reading.
Hi again. FreeNumber5. :-)
So your Singer 328K has problems, and the folks at the vintage sewing machine forum at Facebook couldn't help ya, huh?
I'd say that you're in a fair amount of trouble with this machine if they can't help you.
For the record, the part number of that special stop-motion washer is 171502:
https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/stop-motion-clamp-washer-singer-171502.aspx
That particular vendor is out of stock on it, but I suspect you don't really need a new one, anyway. You probably have some kind of servicing problem.
Here's a YouTube video on replacing that washer:
How to Replace the Tabbed Stop Motion Clamp Washer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKYZmGcMnv0
I'd say that getting more bobbins is a good idea, because the Singer 328 take class 66 bobbins which are readily available.
As to your problem with trying to thread needles with presbiotic eyes, the Featherweight site offers a device that's supposed to work on all household sewing machines (it's not free):
https://singer-featherweight.com/products/super-easy-machine-needle-threader
Failing that, if you want to continue to sew you might have to break down and get a modern sewing machine that has a built-in needle threader function. Many of them do.
I feel for you, FreeNumber5!
Hi keramikos, thanks so much for writing. One person on FB VSM said they had a machine that acted like that and she couldn't fix it. She attributed it to being "worn out". Maybe that is the case with mine. I have do have a "modern" sewing machine but it doesn't like thick fabric, like denim jeans or carrhart coats (don't ask me how I know this). For mending these or replacing zippers, I usually use this 328k because it is a workhorse and can handle anything that fits under the presser foot. My "modern" machine is a Husqvarna Viking 545, and it sews very nicely for piecing my quilts, etc. I am kind of a quilt addict, and the newest machine I bought is a BabyLock Tiara, a sitdown long arm quilting machine. I think my oldest machine is a Singer 99k from 1922, although I can't find a date for that Free # 5 machine. By the way, that 99k runs like a top, no issues at all. But it doesn't have reverse...oh well. Here I go rattling on. One machine is Belvedere Riccar which is as heavy as a boat anchor. it runs but not very well. And an old Bernina that I haven't dated yet. It sews but it has tension issues. Like I said, there are 12 machines in my collection so far. My favorite one is a Singer Featherweight 221-1. I take it to my quilt retreats. It has motor overheating problems right now. I took apart that FW motor, cleaned the commutator, checked the brushes, tried to clear the grease wicks (hardened felt wicks), reassembled the motor, greased and lubed it, took apart the carbon stack foot controller which has 77 carbon wafers on each side, cleaned them and reinstalled, and readjusted everything, including the pulley belt, and it still overheats. I heard that removing and replacing the grease wicks is a really big challenge and not to attempt that, so I didn't. Its hard to find replacement wicks anyway, but I will keep searching for them. Let's see, where was I? I have serger (tension issues), a simplicity heavy duty (no issues), and another Singer from 1988. Also, the Franklin treadle from my gramma's house that I learned how to sew on when I was 7 yrs old. That one has shuttle and long bobbin, that fits the Free # 5, I found out.
Sorry to rattle on, getting back to the 328 k, I think that 99k uses 66 bobbins, so I can borrow bobbins from that one for the 328k until I order new ones. Also, yes, I have seen that needle threader advertised on the Featherweight Shop website, and I will order it. Thanks again for all your help, keep it coming, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
FreeNumber5, You're welcome. :-)
Happy Holidays.
FreeNumber5, Reading back now that I have more leisure time.
With regard to your Singer 328K and its stop motion function that doesn't work, have you looked at the advice at the Featherweight shop website? Their focus is on Featherweights, but some of their advice applies to other models:
*snip*
If the needle still bobs up and down when winding a bobbin, then click here for the tutorial video on how to remedy that common annoyance.
*snip*
https://singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse/stuck-stop-motion-knob-handwheel
https://singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse/how-to-adjust-the-handwheel
Failing that approach working, and you still want to rescue your 328K, you might want to start with getting a copy of the service manual.
If the FB VSM group doesn't have a free copy, the vintage Singer email group on Google does (however, you'd have to join):
https://groups.io/g/vintagesingers/
You could buy a soft copy from this outfit:
https://manualsoncd.com/product/singer-327k-328k-sewing-machine-service-manual/
FYI, I've seen other sites that offer free downloads of what's described as a service manual for the 328, but none of them have that exploded view of the parts, so those don't seem right.
Although they don't mention the stop motion function, this person seems like they've done extensive maintenance on a 328, so they might be worth contacting:
https://danhopgood.wordpress.com/2017/10/26/singer-328/