There's a women's group in ireland called the womens shed and i was asked to fix sewing machines for them so they could have a person teach sewing to members who were interested. just tonight i got the first machine to work as it should and it's all down to your patience explaining how to do the timing and giving pictures of how to do it. You will make many ladies very happy i'm sure and you made me very happy too to be able to acquire a new skill. Do you know i think fixing cars is a whole lot easier .. Keep well and thanks so much. Adrian.
I’m happy to be a part of your success, as well as your efforts to uplift your group. I do this channel for exactly the results that you have achieved. It’s a feather in your cap, as well as mine. Thanks for taking the time to comment, you have made my day. 😎👍🏼
Hi Randy, Thanks for your videos. I have a Brother VX710 and this was super helpful. The machine I have doesn't have a manual, and only came with 2 bobbins. Do yoh know what I should look for when purchasing extra bobbins? What size for this machine? Thanks! Steph
The bobbins will be a 15 class bobbin. You can get them in metal or plastic. The packaging may say “fits Singer machines”. That’s ok as long as it says 15 class. They’re available at Walmart, Joanne Fabric, or Amazon. 😎👍🏼
Great video. You helped me find out my bobbin is not functioning. I found the plastic drive gear is sheared. Do you have a part number or know where I can order a new gear? Thanks
Do a search on the web. You’ll probably find one made of metal. It’s called a hook drive gear. If it’s made of brass, that’ll work also. There were some replacement gears out there and available for a time. I’m not sure if they’re still available. I stopped acquiring them when the quality of the gears became sketchy. Good luck.
I have a White Model number 639 with timing issues. I have checked it for thread and other things and needle height position did it goes all the way to the stop. The hook does not go to the left of the needle to pick up the thread as it goes across the scarf. It comes just to the right edge of the needle. I tried adjusting with the screws on the mechanism behind the hook and driver but every time I tighten the screws the hook went right back to where it was. I’m sorry I don’t remember what that is called. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
I've really been enjoying your videos and have learned so much. I have a Brother VX-520 and think that the downward pressure on the presser foot is way too much. Can it be adjusted and is there a general formula to follow for different fabrics? Also, what is the correct height for the presser foot to be at? I haven't seen anybody discuss this topic for vintage mechanical sewing machines. I think you would do a wonderful job.
If you open the left side hinged cover, there should be an adjustment for the pressure on the presser foot. I’m trying to remember if it has a lever that moves up and down, or a dial, or a button. I tend to remember that model having a lever. If so, push it down to increase the pressure, lift it up to decrease the pressure. As far as the presser bar height: if the set screw on the presser bar hasn’t been disturbed, it’s set at the maximum height that can be achieved. When the presser foot is lifted, it actuates the release pin for the tension assembly. If you try to increase the presser bar lift height, it will compromise the release point, and the tension release process will get out of range. If I have time later today, I’ll make a video on this subject. Thanks for the excellent question and suggestion.😎
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thanks for the quick reply. I will look into it as soon as I have my breakfast and perform some household chores, (westcoast). I anxiously await your video on this subject. I'm now a subscriber.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 I noticed you uploaded a couple of presser foot videos. Very good information but I guess I'm still in the dark for my machine. If you ever come across a VX-520, please check if you could lessen the pressure on the presser foot. Unless it's so obvious and right in front of my face, I just can't seem to figure how to do it. Maybe it's just static and non-adjustable.
When I get a chance, I certainly will. In the meantime, look at my three part video series on oiling the Kenmore 158. They are almost identical platforms.
I was gifted a similar model . . . the Brother VX2051. I'm searching for an operating manual and a parts manual. Most importantly regarding the parts, I would think the VX710, in this video, and (my) VX2150 would have the same part. It's under the upper left of the housing. The part /arm that wraps around the bobbin spool pin, sitting on top of the medal that the bobbin "tire" sits in is broken. I took a very nice photo of the broken part, but I'm not sure how I'd send it to you; in the event you have the parts manual. Thanks for any help you can offer. Happy sewing . . . .
I don’t have a parts manual and only concentrate on parts for vintage Singers and Kenmores. I’ve seen a good selection of random used parts on eBay from time to time. You might want to buy an inexpensive parts machine from shopgoodwill.com.
I have this machine and am so glad I found your video. I just bought a Brother XL-5001 and can’t found anything on line about it, the machine is also describe as lightweight super deluxe 7mm convertible sewing machine . Would you by any chance know anything about it. The stitch width dial is stuck and also the drop feed switch. I’d be so grateful for any advice at all. Thank you.
A stuck dial should first be checked to see if it has a release button or a push/pull of the knob itself. Failing that, use penetrating oil to break it free and don’t force anything using brute strength or channel locks or hammers.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 thank you, I’ve tried oiling but doesn’t seem to be working. I’ve removed as much of the case as I dare but it’s really difficult to get to the back of the dial and impossible to see what’s going on in there. The whole machine was seized when I got it. I managed to free some of it by gently heating with a hairdryer which released the needle wheel on the right hand side. The feed dog button seems to be stuck too but as my other machine, the one in your video, doesn’t have one I’m unsure how they normally work. I assume it should be a rocker motion?
@@stellakittycat9356 you have to use a penetrating oil when they are that reluctant to cooperate. Don’t drown it, but give it some wherever you think it’s required. Be patient. You’ll win.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 thank you, I’ll certainly keep trying. It’s such a nice machine does everything I need it to do if I can just get it going. Thanks for your time.
Perfect! Thanks very much Randy, you made me a hero with the wife for the night :D Watched your video over and over, visually checked and compared all of the timings and needle drop. All perfect. As you warned at the very start... it turned out to be the needle wrongly inserted, I moved its flat to the rear and hey presto we were zigging and a zagging again.
Buenas tardes mi máquina brother VX710 se quedo trancada (no quiere avanzar) supongo que hay que destapar o quitar la tapa y ver la correa, pero no se como hacerlo😢 me puede explicar?? Gracias 🇻🇪
It's not clear from the video, but doesn't this machine have one of those pop-up presser foot pressure adjusters? I got an old White machine with one of those presser foot adjusters that is stuck frozen in the 3/4 up position. The release mechanism still moves up and down, but the piston in the center doesn't move -- can't press the piston down, and the piston doesn't pop the rest of the way up. Can these presser foot pressure adjusters be taken apart and repaired? I replaced it with one I found for a Kenmore machine, but the original one was longer, and sometimes it seems like the machine could use more pressure. And thanks for the timing tips!
Yes, you are correct. This machine has the push down pressure button on the top left area of the machine. And, yes they are almost universally interchangeable with other sewing machines of the same type. And again, yes they also come in slightly differing lengths. To get your old one functioning again, (if it’s rusty) soak it in penetrating oil overnight. It doesn’t take much, just enough to submerge it. If it’s not rusty, oil it and push down on the sides to break it free. Work it back and forth. Sometimes it will need a light tap with a screwdriver handle to free it up. There’s a compression spring that you can pull out through the top hole after unscrewing the pressure button. It may have become collapsed and needs to be “re-sprung”. Grip both ends of the compression spring and stretch it a little. That will give you increased pressure on your presser foot. Good skills.
Hi there! I have a Brother VX-1120 and the shuttle hook (I think that’s what it’s called😅) isn’t rotating, it was because I tried to fix the hook timing (from a RU-vid tutorial) but then I screwed up and so it lead to another problem. Can you recommend any of your videos that could help me with my agony? Thank you so much 😁
I have a video on setting the hook timing on a front load zig zag, which is what you have. It’s on there somewhere. Scroll through the videos at my channel “Randy your sewing machine man”. Before you get too involved, make sure all your drive gears are unbroken and not cracked.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 hello again! I watched the video you told me but then I have another problem 😅. I got the timing right but when I try to turn the balance wheel, it gets stuck at 360°. I could move it clockwise and counterclockwise but I can’t get it to turn continuously. Basically, when the hook timing is right, the balance wheel gets stuck. But when the timing isn’t right, the balance wheel turns continuously. Could this mean that there’s another part that’s causing the problem or I’m just doing it wrong? I hope i’m making any sense 😅, thank you!
@@notirina8926 you need to reposition your hook so it doesn’t move so far to the left that your gears hit the gear box walls. That’s what’s causing the stop. When it goes forward, the hook should pass beyond halfway to allow the thread to release at the thread gap on the bottom. Set your stitch width to its widest zig zag, and the point of the hook should pass just above the eye of the needle as it rises on the right side of its swing. It’s finding that happy medium and then tightening the set screws in the hook drive shaft.
There were multiple models introduced that same year. The different numbers represented various models with varying numbers of stitches. The platforms were the same, the interior cam stacks were the difference.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thank you so very much, I have been searching for it and was really confused. Would you know what year these were made? It has a vinyl snap on hard sided cover. Thank you!
@@gobi4132 I sold them in my store in Arlington, Texas in the mid seventies. I sold them to Sam Walton in Bentonville, Arkansas for his Walmart stores in 1983.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thank you Randy for the information, I appreciate it. Not sure whether to try and use this or buy a new one, I've never sewn before and the new ones look so much easier.
@@gobi4132 if you get a new one, try to see through the marketing, the hype, and the inference of simplicity. Be sure to keep your old one to use when the new one fails.
You’re correct. I’m getting ready to upgrade to a better video setting and better videos as a result. Plenty of room for improvement. Thanks for the thumbs up.
No drop feed on that model. If you want to free motion stitch, set your stitch length on “0” and release the presser bar button on the top left side of your machine. Get a darning foot also known as a “hopping foot” and you’ll be all set.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954Well now it makes sense why I couldn't find it! Thank you kindly Randy, for taking the time to help! I will get myself a hopper foot as you recommend.
Hi can you help me please becuase my machine won't stop sewing backwards. I pressed the button and now when I press it again it won't change direction.
Your reverse button mechanism is sticking and needs lubricant. Probably better would be to spray some penetrating oil on the assembly and work it back and forth. NO DISASSEMBLING REQUIRED. The mechanism is right behind the reverse button inside the machine. It’s visible from the top after you remove the two cover screws. Good luck 🍀
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thank you so much for getting back to me. I tried everything I could think of, then I decided to remove the top and back panels and I giggled with anything I could see that had a moving part. I made sure I unplugged it before going anywhere near the inside. It took a while but in the end, my strategy worked! It now is sewing in the right direction. I will never press that button again mind you I wouldn't want to do that again!
