How to Fix Timing on Vintage Sewing Machines

So. Funny story. Last week I thought my vintage Kenmore Model 48 sewing machine was out of time. I’ve learned a few things since then. If you think you need to fix the timing on a vintage sewing machine, then read on.

A lot of vintage machines…cannot go out of time. Look underneath the machine. Many old steel-drive machines have screws that can be tightened or loosened to adjust the timing of the machine. But some machines are different. Workers set the timing at the factory, then removed the screws and replaced them with pins. The timing is set in place and it’s very unlikely it will ever go out of time.

My machine’s undercarriage:

 

That’s one of the pins. The other is on the other side. If your machine has screws instead of pins, the timing can be adjusted. The good news is that there are a ton of videos online that show you exactly how to adjust sewing machine timing. A quick search on YouTube will help you out immensely.

So what was the problem with my machine? The damn needle, not the timing. A new needle and we were back in business.

Now you know. (Insert the More You Know thingy from NBC.)

See you later!