Why is my sewing machine getting hot?

Question

I just started sewing on it and noticed a smell,felt of the motor and it's real hot so I stopped sewing on it. It's an old electric Kenmore from the 60's but machine sews great. Should I change to another motor? I'm thinking yes but need your advice. Thanks to all the sewers out there and you repair guys too.

Answer 1

It is probably dirty. blow out with air and oil the bearings...

Answer 2

I have been sewing for years and my old singer machine would collect a lot of fibers for my cotton fabrics. I had little tools to clean the fibers out.

I used a very little brush shaped like a Christmas tree (they sale these in the dental isle of walmart to clean your teeth). The two hold are for the oil but you have to use the oil for the machine because the motor is so small that it needs a very light weight oil.

I have several machines and get them maintenance once a year, remember it is a motor so thing can clog it up.  

Answer 3

Here are my suggestions:

1) Vacuum the heck out of the motor assembly.  If it's a motor on the back, you may be able to get into it fairly easily.  Clean it well.

2) Check the brushes; they may be quite worn.  

3) Oil the bearings if it's indicated.  Your red dot hole might indicate a spot for oil, especially if it's at the end of a motor shaft, but it's unlikely to do so if it's someplace out in the middle of the housing.

And if that doesn't fix it completely, sew in shorter bursts and press more.  <g>  

Actually, a trip to the OSMG (old sewing machine guy/gal) is probably indicated, but you may also find some good help if you're a do-it-yourselfer in the yahoo group "WeFixIt", a group for those of us who like getting old sewing machines going again.

You may be able to get the parts list and possibly even the manual from Sears.  Find the complete model number, which will have two parts separated by a decimal, like 123.456789, and drop it into the search window at

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdir...

and see what goodies it might divulge.