I'm trying to find information regarding a free sewing machine I just received?

Question

It appears to be pretty old, my uneducated guess puts it in the sixties or maybe early seventies. It's a Remington Precision Made Deluxe machine, and my google-fu has proved not up to the challenge. I've never had a machine before, but the motor still runs, and everything _seems_ to be in working order, except for the belt that makes the needle go up and down. That jumps the pulley system and doesn't allow it to work properly. Any info regarding fixing the problem, or where I could find a manual for it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Look for the Manufacturers label. It likely is on the bottom or in back of the machine, it could be inside, but that is unlikely. Take note of the brand name, serial number, model number, and any other numbers you may find, such as 800 toll free numbers. Call the 800 number, or check brand name on the internet. With the serial and model numbers, you can get the build date. It is possible you can still get a manual from the maker, by mail or download off the web. Bear in mind, this machine may be considered "obsolete" by the maker and they would not have parts / accessories / support  for it. In that case, you would need to find alternate sources for repair service support. I have had better luck, and got better answers when I called the manufacturer customer service people directly than with on line email responses When you call; prepare , know what questions you will ask, Take notes of the information you get, don't rely on memory Last ask what else can they tell you

Be sure to ask the right questions to get the answers you need

Last; Be nice when you call them, they will be more helpful or will try

Answer 2

Chances are that any sewing machine shop can get you a belt that will fit the machine, though they may have to order it in.  It's also probably long overdue for a COA (clean/oil/adjust) and possible replacement of greases on the gears and cams (which gets very thick and sludgey and can freeze up entirely).  If you'd like to do the work yourself, you might try joining the yahoo group "wefixit", a group of sewing machine mechanics, amateur and professional, who like to get vintage machines working again.

The only Remington sewing machine company I know of got absorbed into the Remington/Rand corporation complex in the early 20th century, fwiw.  I don't think Remington was making machines that late, but I may well be wrong.  The folks at wefixit will know, however.

Chances are this is a "badged" machine, a generic machine that was sold under a variety of names.  Again, chances are the local sewing machine mechanic or WeFixIt members may recognize the machine as a rebadged XYZ, and can help you locate a manual that will work for it.