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From: Patty22
Date: 07-26-2006, 02:46 PM (1 of 5)
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How do you change the belt on a featherweight? My machine was last serviced about 10 years ago and the belt that my dealer put on is coming apart (pink/tan synthetic material with one edge smooth and the other corregated). I am replacing with a featherweight replacement belt. I'm not afraid to take apart my Bernina 801 to clean, but since I've never really had to do anything to my FW, I want to be sure before I start unscrewing where ever there are screws that I'm not causing problems. The FW instruction book that came with the machine talks about everything...BUT the belt. Any advice is appreciated....I'm here with my screwdriver (and although it is hot here, this isn't the liquid kind). *I'm going to rephrase the question now that I have the belt on.....the screws were just a little tight and took awhile to unscrew. Is there a brand of featherweight belts that I should be using as a replacement? The new belt that I have in is too loose even though I lowered the motor to the lowest adjustment. ????? Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-26-2006, 06:12 PM (2 of 5)
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Patty, Sorry I have never had to do anything to my 221's belt.. There is a sewing machine repair shop not far from me, and he works on all machines.. I have taken mine to him once , when my youngest son was a baby and took the tension mechanism completely apart on it.. I still have the original belt on mine that was there when I first got it in 1957..Maybe some kind of record, ??? Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-26-2006, 06:30 PM (3 of 5)
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Wow Libby.....that must be some kind of record. I am guessing that your original belt is leather? I was comparing the sound of the two FW's while I was sewing, and this one sounds a bit labored. I'm wondering if the belt is slipping a bit. I might go look for another belt before I take her in for a checkup. Hey, where's Tom? What do you think? I make notes on what you're saying about all the machines and need your sage advice. I shouldn't put a screwdriver in my hand and think I'm going to walk away without pulling up the needleplate and cleaning, etc. 
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 07-26-2006, 11:53 PM (4 of 5)
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Patty, There is only one belt that fits the FW properly. It is a black "v" belt with a six digit part number starting with "19" and ending with "44". I don't remember the two middle digits but it is the only belt starting and ending with those numbers. Some people have been selling a cogged belt with that number and it doesn't work well on a lot of FWs. If the belt you have has that number and is the black "v" belt you have something else going on. Make sure nothing is under the motor preventing it from going far enough down. The belts tension should be set as loose as it can be without slipping. If you set it too tight it will slow the machine down and put too much stress on the motor bearings. I hope this helps. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-27-2006, 07:57 AM (5 of 5)
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Tom, Thanks for the information. I loosened up the motor, and Ella Elizabeth is running smoothly again. I had this notion that unless the belt was tight (gripping I guess) she wasn't going to run. I checked the belt packaging (I bought the belt a couple of years ago and had it tucked away in case of an emergency). The numbers on it are QM 194144-C. If anyone else is search for a belt this is the product information: Featherweight Classic 221 Shoppe, 221 Belt Fits All Leather, V Style, Niche is a trade mark of Checker Distributors. Featherweight Classic 221 Shoppe is trade name of Quilter's Mate Inc. I just did a google search and Checkers Distributors is still in operation but not wholesale. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
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