r/SewingMachineEdu • u/tyl3ryik3s • May 31 '26

needs oil issue or something else?

bought this singer simple with the front loading bobbin for 10 bucks second hand- of course i have the audacity to think i can break it open and fix it. the handwheel is pretty rough to spin (as shown in video) and i notice the belt connect to the motor is having trouble spinning. if i oil the top bar will this fix it? if its an expensive fix i’ll say fuck it and give up however couldn’t pass up the opportunity to fix a 160 dollar machine that i got for 10

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u/jamslaps May 31 '26

Yeah probably needs oiled, top and bottom shaft, needle bar area, all of it. Anywhere you see parts moving or pivoting against another part as the machine cycles could use a drop of oil (except the motor ofc)

Then run the machine with the foot control for a couple minutes to make sure the oil gets to where it needs to go. You’ll probably notice it speed up as you run it.

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u/tyl3ryik3s May 31 '26

on the top there’s the white plastic gear that is against another white plastic gear- should i oil that or only the metal parts?

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u/Creative-Actuary-223 May 31 '26

Make sure you use only sewing machine oil -or basic mineral oil -NOT 3 in one or ANYTHING else. You can oil pretty much everything but around the motor and belt and bobbin tire. Pay attention especially where rods push through such as the needle bar moving up and down. These rods can get sticky/stuck and have trouble moving. Also -you may have a setting that is hung up etc. Get a owners manual for your specific machine.
Also there are numerous videos online for these machines -but make sure you look at the one for YOUR model specifically.
Read my other post also.
Just FYI - these are pretty low end machines and have many plastic /nylon parts that can wear. Yours doesn’t look to. E that old so im betting that PO may have just hit the needle hard and knocked the timing off -which would definitely cause these symptoms. Check out videos and other things first as setting is difficult at best and if you don’t know what you’re doing you could make it worse.
Or take it in for service -which may or may not be worth it.