Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Oscillating & Rotary Sewing Machine Systems

By David Trumble

Here is a neat hobby that can turn into a real job or even a business. I am talking about sewing machine repair. There is a special thrill when a broken down sewing machine springs back to life almost like new " right in your hands. While there are challenges, it can also be loads of fun.

At first, fixing sewing machines can be an overwhelming task. There are so many different makes, models, and designs to learn. When you look at sewing machines, they may all look alike. As soon as you start taking off the covers, you discover just how different they really are. The hook assembly is one of the things that every sewing machine user should and every technician must understand.

When you look at a sewing machine, one of the first things you need to identify is if the machine has an oscillating or a rotary hook assembly. They do much the same task on your sewing machine, but they do it very differently.

The Rotary Hook Assembly includes a hook that moves in a complete circle round and round. The hook slides behind the needle, and proceeds all the way around the bobbin carrier until it again slides behind the bobbin carrier. Singer sewing machines revolutionized the sewing world with their drop in rotary hook systems.

The bobbin may be installed just under the needle from the top, on the left end, or on the front lower arm of the machine. If the bobbin inserts from the top, it normally has a rotary hook.

A bobbin installed on the left side of the sewing machine may either have a rotary hook or an oscillating hook. The same is true of front loading sewing machines. For example, while Bernina sewing machines became famous for the CB Oscillating Hook System with front loading, they continue to use front loading on the high end rotary hook sewing machines.

It is easy to tell the difference. Rotary hooks rotate around the bobbin carrier in a continuous circle again and again. Oscillating hooks move to half way around and then go back to start again. The go back and forth " back and forth.

If you have any question, answer this. Does the hook move back and forth (Oscillating Hook) or in a complete circle (Rotary Hook)?

The Oscillating Hook Assembly involves a hook that begins a few millimeters to the top left and moves to the right sliding behind the needle and past it around to the bottom of the swing. Then the hook travels back again the same way to its original position for a return oscillation. Bernina sewing machines built their superior reputation based on their advanced oscillating hook system called a CB Hook.

Oscillating and Rotary hook systems do the same job. That job is pulling the thread from the needle around the bobbin carrier. The point of the hook slides behind and through the scarf of the needle to get the thread. Then it carries it to its destination.

In both cases, the action of the hook must precisely synchronize with the needle. Even slight variations cause problems. This synchronization is known as hook-needle timing. If you see skipped stitches, bad stitches, or none, check the hook-needle timing.

In about twenty percent of all standard sewing machine services, the hook-needle timing will need to be set. So, get use to this adjustment. It will be frequent. The cause of faulting timing can be traced mostly to user activity. Forcing the sewing machine to go beyond its intended use by pulling the fabric while sewing or sewing too thick a material is a common cause. Broken needles, wear and tear, Dirt, and debris are also common causes. To make this adjustment check your service manual for the model you are servicing. In time, you will gain confidence and do most adjustments without having to look them up.

When you consider that there are almost 90,000,000 sewing machines in use today, there are a bunch of sewing machines to service and repair. Sewing machine repair makes a great hobby or business.

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