Reassembling the Singer 206 Motor

As you may remember back in December 2013 (here)  I took the Singer 206 industrial motor apart in order to replace the bearings.  It sat around in pieces for a year (just over actually) before we got around to removing the bearings and replacing them.  I wish we hadn't put it off so long as it only took 2 days to do!

First we removed the outer, easier, bearing using a gear puller and then we removed the shaft, this left us with one bearing lodged inside the casting and held in with a circlip.  We ran a screwdriver behind the circlip and then we had all three bearings out.  It cost us $35 to buy replacement bearings but I figured it was cheaper than buying another 206.  Below are images:

First bearing removed, second still on shaft

Arrow pints to the circlip holding the bearing in

Using the gear puller to remove the end of the motor and the second bearing

The shaft of the motor, without the casing.

When it came to reassembling the motor and attaching the wires, I was glad I had taken so many photos before but I still could never quite find the right photograph!  While we were doing electrical work on it, we decided to shorten the power lead, so as to cut off a damaged bit.  This resulted in having to rewire the switch on the table.

Switch inside

Despite our concerns the motor now works fine and is MUCH quieter than it was before.  We are considering putting rubber washers on the bolts that hold it on to the table though as the table is hollow and acts as an amplifier.

In other news, I have been quite busy and managed to miss Tallulah Bankhead's birthday, however I thought I would still post a couple of pictures of her.  I love many of her quotes as they make me laugh.

When I stop being so lazy I should have a nice post about the beautiful 201K I acquired a while ago.

Some more disasters!

I apologise for my long abscence, the last couple of weeks have been hectic.  I'm determined to get some (any) time to sew tonight, I want a new top to wear on Monday.

Today I spent a very unsuccessful couple of hours trying to make these machines behave.  They are both Janome's, in fact I think that makes a total of three Janome's I have had that have had this issue.  They both skip, one moderately the other so badly it's hilarious.  I decided that considering there doesn't seem to be anything else wrong it must be the timing, my first problem was being unable to find a timing mark.  Is it just me or do most machines not have a timing mark?  Anyway, I started with what I shall call Janome1, it is a front loading oscillating machine and to be truly honest I had no idea how to time it.  I looked at it a bit and decided that my best bet was disconnecting the connector rod that connects the top to the bottom, as per picture below.

I managed eventually to get it back together but it still doesn't want to play nice!  I think it's slightly better and I think maybe I just have to tweak it repeatedly until it works but I'm not over happy with it.
This machine was unfortunately made with plastic gears and cams but fortunately they're all in one piece so far.

Machine no 2 was another Janome, Janome2.  It is apparently a 'Heavy Duty' computerised machine, not that I thought those two phrases could exist comfortable together when talking about sewing machines!  It is a top loading full rotary machine.  For some reason the hook is actually striking the needle and the net result is something that looks like extra-long basting stitch.  Not all that practical when you're trying to sell a machine!  I'm wondering if I've got the needle in correctly but I have it mounted flat to back and I really can't see it differing.  I tried re-timing it by adjusting the belt that connects the top and bottom but it was mighty unsuccessful.

The little electronic bits fascinate me although I know they are an absolute pain if they break.

 I think this machine has had a bit of a beating, the throat-plate is badly hacked from needle strikes and the plastic base of the hook (which I forgot to take photos of) is scratched to shreds almost.

I'll try and post a bit more regularly again but finding the time is hard!