Ancestors

Toot

Written by NNN on 2025-01-17 at 19:40

I tried, and I failed. I put out the Montgomery Wards Computer2001 sewing machine (from about 1986?) out for junk collection... but then I brought it back inside. It freezes mid-stitch, then works again after power-cycle. I think maybe I can fix it. Maybe it's just a bad solder, or a dying DC transformer.

[#]VintageSewingMachines

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Descendants

Written by NNN on 2025-01-17 at 19:45

I had the ridiculous thought "It's probably just four servos to move the stitch selector arm, length, width & speed dials... I could drive them with arduino+bluetooth and an app!"

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Written by Bruce MacDonald on 2025-01-17 at 19:52

@NNN Having grown up with a belt-driven treadle-powered Singer, whose treadle would break your toes if you stuck 'em underneath, I find these microprocessor-controlled models amazing. A reminder that they were once new! We had one that could stitch a little dog figure.

I love to watch the computerized embroidery machines in operation at the State Fair.

The sewing machine is one of the great inventions; they've come a long way.

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Written by AI6YR Ben on 2025-01-17 at 20:55

@NNN That yells power supply capacitor failure. 1986 capacitors are going now. Power cap, electrolytic, I would guess. Don't know anything about that machine but all 1980's equipment that is the first place I look.

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Written by NNN on 2025-01-20 at 01:45

@ai6yr @rationaldoge

Long story, I'd inherited this sewing machine from a relative, who bought a backup because this one was flaking. I'd tried it, confirmed flakiness, and shelved it for 8 years.

I just set it up; it worked for a few 10cm test stitches, then froze with an "E0" error (ah! I forgot that there was a code). I decided to clean & oil, then start looking for dying capacitors.

After cleaning & oiling, I was quite surprised when it ran without the E0 error! That's all it was!?

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Written by NNN on 2025-01-20 at 01:51

@ai6yr @rationaldoge

Next discovery was that zig-zag was fine using the foot pedal, but turning the hand wheel, it would move right OK, but then only move left to center :(

But, some oil on a pivot not mentioned in the manual fixed that.

So, now we're "Cooking with Pam!"

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Written by AI6YR Ben on 2025-01-20 at 01:55

@NNN @rationaldoge Woohoo!! That's a lot easier than replacing electronic components. Looks great!

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Written by NNN on 2025-01-20 at 01:58

@ai6yr @rationaldoge

trying my first Masto video clip, of the zigzag failed to "zag" when hand-cranked... let me know if it works!

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Written by AI6YR Ben on 2025-01-20 at 02:05

@NNN @rationaldoge Works, this is AWESOME!

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