Singer 3343 Mechanical Sewing Machine - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Singer Athena 2000 won't feed properly, feed dog ok, circuit board.When top is removed there are four adjustments that have red dots, I think I need to adjust one of them. Can you give me advice.

make sure you feed dogs are engaged fully and it sounds like you might need a new bobbin cae

Take it to the near sewing machine mechanic.

1. Replace the needle with a new one. Make sure the needle is inserted the right direction. 2. Try to move the hand wheel towards you. Does the needle strike the hook (pointed object under bobbin)? It should be very close but not touch. 3. If the needle and hook are stopping the machine at one point as you rotate the hand wheel you will need to get it timed. If it is just barely out of time you may be able to set the needle all the way to the left or right (try both positions) and use only a straight stitch. You may be able to get one type of stitch to work and know the culprit is timing.

Yours is a low shank machine, and that is the most common type for newer machines of any manufacturer. eBay and Amazon both offer low-shank darning feet; I recommend the metal one with a metal large circular foot. That's my favorite, and I bought mine for $6.50 including shipping from eBay.

First, are you able to get the bobbin thread to come up to the top of the needle plate, so that you can begin sewing? If you can, your timing is not off. Second, check to make sure that the lever for bobbin winding has not been activated. Third, check to make sure your needle is ALL the way up in the needle clamp, and the flat side of the needle is at the back, away from you.

I've had this to happen if I have the bobbin in backwards.

Have you got the right zip foot for the machine ? there are two types short shank and large shank unless you have a snap on foot, if all the other feet touch the fabric then you definitely have the wrong foot

Try this phone Number: 1-800-567-7111 They sell Cooper machines and may be able to help.

You need a zigzag attachement, you can get this at any fabric store.

Bobbin thread breaks 1. There is a right way & wrong way to insert the bobbin in the case --when you insert the bobbin in if it doesn't stitch correctly turn the bobbin over see if that helps or bobbin case is not inserted correctly 2. Lint has collected in the bobbin holder 3. The bobbin is damaged & doesn't turn smoothly 4. Lower thread tension is two tightif you don't have a manual, here is a link for a free manualhttp://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/1295_3270.pdf

http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/1295_3270.pdfThe information you seek is in this PDF. 3343 and 3270 are apparently the same machine because singer cross references the instructions as interchangeable. Remember to use good sewing machine oil and do not over oil your machine. Too much oil can do more harm than good. ;)

Sounds like your machine is out of time. Take it in for clean, adjust and timing.

try youtube for a videoor singer for a manual Go to the singer website Go to the home page Go to customer service--click on it--it will show a small menu--click on instruction manual In the box put the model number (example 3343) & click searchor sewingpartsonline.com

I don't use a foot - I just gently guide the fabric and create designs.Hope this helps.Jimmy

Some of the cams are available. See http://parts.singerco.com/CPpartCharts/3_39999/3314_3317_3343.pdf on page 04 (page 7 of the pdf) for a list of the part numbers or the cams. The consult your Singer dealer to see if they have them or can order them for you. This site has many of the cams: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/cgi-sewingmachinesplus/sb/productsearch.cgi?storeid=*2496f57e14d8a0ef8decc151feac6905cd454c8b&search_field=cam+disk&search2.x=0&search2.y=0 . (If you have a problem with this link, start at http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/ and search for cam disk.) Some of the cams are $4 each. I hope this helps. Cindy Wells

Hello, maryI am trying to help you out here. Maybe this will help some? I am known on Fixya as the cleanup expert pro. Which means I spend my own personal time to seek out customers that maybe have not had there problem yet solved. I do this on my own time for free. Think of me as a Specialized Trouble Shooter.I have found out that it appears that lots of customers appreciate my efforts and help. So, I thought I would take some of my own personal time to see if I can help you. Even though this Informational site may not have your exact model or brand, But this site will help you a lot. Here is the site link about everything you want to know about Sewing Machines and possibly yours, from repair to trouble shooting it.http://home.howstuffworks.com/sewing-machine.htmPlease if this helped you at all, if you can find the time and in your heart to rate my help and some kind words written would be appreciated for my free help. It would make my time worth. Like I said I just try to help, If anything this is good information for future problems. If you felt that my free help was a waist of time for you, I'm sorry. I do not get paid to help people on the site, I do it cause I like to help and maybe make a smile on someones face.Here is also my direct link to my own pages of other areas of my expertise for other problems you might have in Automotive, Appliance, and Electronics. Drop In anytime for my help. http://beta.fixya.com/users/mc1bean Thanks Mike

Hi Cat,
This seems to be a common problem, but easy to fix. Check the bobbin, and see if the thread feeds out quickly when holding the thread and letting the bobbin case drop. You should see a small screw on the front of the bobbin case for adjustment. Screw that until the drop rate is slight. You may need to adjust a few times to get just the right rate of feed.
Hope this helps, Please rate and comment, Thank You
Joe

I'm not sure if adjusting the tension by itself will solve this issue?

I think you need to clean the race of the machine and double check the weight of the thread you are using vs the type of material to make sure that they are appropriate for each other.

If the race is dirty, the thread of the bobbin will not advance correctly. Try cleaning it first and test the machine afterwards. If this does not solve your issue, use the comment and reply links next to your original question on Fixya and let me know. I will send you additional troubleshooting instructions if this does not solve it.

If you need instructions on how to clean the race of your machine, here is a link to a Brother machine race cleaning instructions which is similar to yours:

http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/us/us/en/faq/faqh/000000/000000/000095/faqh000095_000.html?reg=us&c=us&lang=en&prod=hf_inov4000deus&Cat=

To wind a bobbin, reel on top of the machine, take the thread to the left and go around the small wheel, back to the winder, bobbin on the windere and wind the thread round a few times, slacken the stop motion and wind the bobbin.
If you have a drop in bobbin, hold the bobbin in your left hand, thread on the bottom of the spool, drop the spool in, take the thread through the slot to the left and lay it across the bobbin with enough thread to be pulled through by the needle