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From: Isew4hobby
Date: 07-10-2004, 09:18 AM (1 of 6)
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I have a Singer Touch & Sew 758 that has broken its timing belt. They wanted $125 to take care of it for me. I have 4 other machines and can't afford to have it fixed, but I just love the touch $ sew machine. I have a 603 as well (metal gears - thank you very much). This 758 has some great features: chain stitch, flexi-stitch cams, magnetic needle plate, rubber feed dogs. What were they thinking when they gave it a timing belt. I could call them up and talk mean, I'm so frustrated. I' thinking you have to take off the long shaft that runs the width of the machine, the one that runs everything, in order to get this belt on. Am I correct? The thing is, if I mess it up, I haven't lost anything but the $16 for the belt. It wouldn't work without it anyway. Can anyone give me some kind of help, please. I already have it in about 50 pieces, and I'm taking pictures all along the way to help in the process back into one whole piece. Thanks for reading all this post, ktmm164 |
User: Isew4hobby
Member since: 03-30-2004 Total posts: 7 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 07-10-2004, 06:36 PM (2 of 6)
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I sew 4 hobby, where are you located? In my area there is a Industrial machine repair shop that does work on home machines. If you were anywhere ner Ohio I could send you the phone numbers. Sewhappie |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: wghmch
Date: 07-11-2004, 09:51 AM (3 of 6)
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As you are finding out, the $125 is not unreasonable, assuming that they will completely service the machine at the same time. You will have to understand how to correctly time everything when you get it back together, so it does take quite a bit of knowledge and time. Other weaknesses in this SM are the rubber feed dogs and the plastic gears underneath. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: Isew4hobby
Date: 07-11-2004, 03:09 PM (4 of 6)
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Thank you for your replies to my question. I am in the southeastern US. Truly, I just appreciate a quality machine. With three working machines, there is no real need to put any money into this one, sad to say. I understand the $125. Taking that thing apart is as someone once told me "a trick with a hole in it." Tell me if I'm out in left field, but why did Singer switch from the metal gears fo the Touch & Sew 603 age to a rubber belt and plastic gears? What a waste. I'll never understand why they made anything so difficult to work on. It seems as though someone sat back and said, "Now let's see how we can complicate this little job." I have really enjoyed working on the machine, though I may never get it back. I think machines are my hobby more than the actual sewing. I'm truly amazed at all that goes into the workings of a machine. Thanks for your help. Isew4hobby |
User: Isew4hobby
Member since: 03-30-2004 Total posts: 7 |
From: wghmch
Date: 07-11-2004, 08:17 PM (5 of 6)
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"Tell me if I'm out in left field, but why did Singer switch from the metal gears fo the Touch & Sew 603 age to a rubber belt and plastic gears?" At this time, there was a "race" between the different mfgrs to try to make more maintenance free machines. Metal gears required lubrication, the general public did not want to bother, and many simply did not. The synthetic gears run dry, and some of the good quality ones from that era are still running well, with no end in sight. Unfortunately, Singer's were not the good ones. Timing belts replaced both gear trains and the older "chain belt", which was made of nylon (or similar) cord with steel links attached to keep them synchronized. The rubber belts run quieter, and are usually simple to adjust for slack, but they do have a finite life. As you discovered, the cost of the belt is not the problem, but the fact that it is inside the main bearings is. Some mfgrs have taken care of this by running the timing belt outside of the upper main bearing, so it is relatively simple to change. So you see, it's all your fault. ;> ) If you had just not complained, and dutifully oiled and lubed your old machines, none of this would have happened. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: Isew4hobby
Date: 07-12-2004, 12:19 PM (6 of 6)
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I suppose you are right about the oiling. This machine was a freebie to me from someone who hadn't even run the machine in years. The belt was so old and neglected that when I ran the machine, the belt snapped. Thanks for your information. The history on these machines just fascinates me. I suspect, by your posts, Mr. Holman, that you have forgotten more than I will ever know, but boy do I enjoy learning. I'll probably never use the knowledge, but it's a hobby. Thanks! And I will make sure I maintain my 4 working machines so that I will always have them. Thanks Isew4hobby |
User: Isew4hobby
Member since: 03-30-2004 Total posts: 7 |
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