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foot controls

Bean | Posted in General Discussion on

Has anyone got a solution for a foot control that is stuck in the on position?

Replies

  1. kai230 | | #1

    Can you spray some WD-40 near the hinges?

    1. Bean | | #2

      I tried that, so far no luck. It seems to be in the highest position which should be off, but it still makes the the machine run.

  2. Jmars0727 | | #3

    Are you sure that the problem is the foot control?  I only ask because I once had a machine that wouldn't stop running until I unplugged it.  Woldn't do it for anyone else.  Finally figured out that it only happened after the machine had warmed up from heavy use.  If the motor wasn't warm it didn't do it.  Turned out that a circuit board had to be replaced.

    1. kai230 | | #4

      Good idea, Julie. Sort of like computers that need to be shut off to get their bearings.

    2. Bean | | #5

      The machine had been unplugged and had not been used for several days. It was when it was plugged in and cold that it started running. I can't figure it out. It's actually my Mother's machine. Now I need to try and decide whether to try and replace the foot control or buy her a simple to use sewing machine. She's not much on reading directions nor does she like learning new things. I live 600 miles from her.

      Anyone got any ideas?

      1. Susannah | | #6

        Hi

        I recall my mother having a similar problem some years (actually, a lot of years ago!)  Her machine was set up, and she had been sewing, and left it unattended for a while to prepare dinner.  When she went back into the sewing room, the machine was going flat out, even though the foot pedal was not pushed down (ie it was in the fully up position, which should have been off).  She sent the machine in to be repaired, and it turned out to be some sort of short-circuit in the foot pedal wiring, so that it was permanently on and running flat out.  It ended up being a relatively cheap repair. 

        Her sewing machine at that stage would have been something like 20 years old.  It was (I think) a  "Borletti", either Italian or Swiss.  Following that repair, the machine continued on for another decade or so, to be replaced eventually with a Bernina.  I have fond memories of learning to sew on the old machine, which had a box of black "cams" which could be inserted in various combinations to do amazing embroidery stitches (the same ones I can do with a press of the button on my Janome), and it was very much top of the line when it was purchased in the early 1960s.

        1. Bean | | #7

          This is a Dressmaker sewing machine, have you ever heard of this one?

          I called my Mother today and asked her to give me the name of the machine and model number and I would try to find a foot control replacement. This machine is probably 30 to 35 years old.

          While she was looking for the model number for me she decided to plug the machine in so I could here how it was running, when she plugged the cord into the machine, it didn't start running, it only ran when she depressed the foot control. So I am assuming it has some kind of wiring problem. I am hoping it will run for her. I have been unable to find anything on Dressmaker machines. The model # is 2 10BT-34921

          1. Susannah | | #8

            Hi

            So it is now only running when the pedel is pushed down, even tho' before it was running whether the pedal was pushed down or not?  I agree, it sounds like something a bit loose in the wiring.  I suppose getting it fixed depends on whether your mother can locate someone nearby who actually repairs things, rather than just replacing components (and replacement components for old machines might be in short supply). 

            Good luck - I know that if my mother had to cope with learning how to use a new machine, she probably wouldn't bother, and that would be a real loss for her.

            regards

            Sue

          2. Jean | | #9

            Could it be that she had the cord plugged into the machine backwards before? You can't do that on the newer machines. Just a thought, but what do I know. :)

          3. Bean | | #10

            I can't wait for my next visit with my Mother to try and figure out what was wrong.

            Thanks for all your input. If you run across any information about a dressmaker sewing machine, please pass it along.

          4. dregan | | #11

            I have a New Home machine I purchased at Hancock Fabrics-a take off of Janome, just cheaper model, and my machine doesn't run unless I depress the foot pedal-I wish it would because I have so much trouble sewing because have nerve running down my butt and back of leg so I can't sit hardly at all to sew. Anyway, I'm getting off subject-must want sympathy, huh?-Ha! Ha!  I think you must be use to electronic machines. Mine is electric, of course, but not electronic. Your mother's machine must be like mine.

            Deb

          5. joress | | #13

            Just FYI--the New Home machine IS a Janome (not a "take-off"). It's the name of Janome in the US before they started using the Janome name, which they used everywhere else in the world. The New Home name is now used for the lower-end models. New Home and Janome have been around for years and years. Great machines!

          6. dregan | | #14

            Thank you very much for the info!  We have been on vacation fishing in Minnesota for a week-that's why the reply took so long.

            Deb

        2. dregan | | #12

          I recently answered an ad in paper for a heavy duty sewing machine in wooden cabinet for $60. I was going to look at it, they said it had 24 cams for decorative stitching, and thought it was named Domestic Sewing Machine #955. They thought is was about 15 yrs. old and rarely used. It was her mothers and she died. I couldn't find anything about it and hubby thought wouldn't be able to get it fixed anywhere. Would you know anything about a machine like this?  I don't have hardly any decorative stitches on my machine, but seemed like was going to be too hard to get there and told them on machine, I was no longer interested. What do you think?  Am I passing up a good deal?  Would I be able to get it worked on anywhere?  I'm wondering if it wasn't a White Domestic or something. White took over the Domestic Co. in Cleveland, Ohio where this machine was made, I read.  Don't know for sure.  Also, I saw an adde for a $650 machine selling for 250-a serger Huskylock 560 EDT-would anyone know how old this would be?

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