Singer 8280 Mechanical Sewing Machine - Page 3 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Make sure the bobbin winder is in the position away from the bobbin stopper. When you fill a bobbin, you have to push the "spindle" towards the handwheel. If you do not push the "spindle" back into position (away from the handwheel), the wheel will remain locked.

I have an xl100 and would be willing to scan the manual and send it to you via email if you would like.

I HAVE A BOBBIN WINDER THAT IS BROKEN WHERE CAN I BUY A NEW ONE

Make sure your needle and tread match your project. There simply isn't such a thing as a "universal needle." Also try lengthening your stitch. Heavier fabrics typically need a slightly longer stitch. Upon commencing to sew always grasp the 2 threads and slightly pull as you begin your seam. I assume your garage sale find has a manual. Be sure your bobbin is unspooling in the correct direction. If it didn't come with a manual.. http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/430_8280_es.pdfGood luck.

Start from the begining.Use your Instruction Book and make sure the machine is threaded correctly.Put in a new needle.Adjust the top tension to about halfway.Fit a fresh wound bobbin that does not have all sorts of different threads still wound on it(a bad habit with a lot of people).Make sure the bottom tension is correct.Make sure the bobbin is fitted corectly.Set the machine to do basic straight stitch(mid range stitch length).Try sewing and see if the problem is solved.

try changing the needle-flat side goes to the back of the machineclean under the needle plate & in the bobbin area for loose threads or lint

try sewingpartsonline.com

try changing the needle---flat side goes to the back side of the machinealso check the top tensiondepending on the fabric your sewing on--the needle & thread have to work with the fabric--example light fabric needs a different needle & thread than a heavy fabriccheck to see if the thread is coming off the thread take up lever when you sew.

the machine needs to be taken to a sewing machine shop to be fixed

you may have to use a washable stablizer when doing the buttonholealso check to make sure you have the right needle & the right thread for the fabric

Hi Jos, I'm no pro but I fix lots of things. It sounds like there is a mechanical blockage that is preventing the motor from turning. If you haven't already, open all the panels or covers that reveal the mechanical workings, and remove any bobbins (and maybe the needle, if the tip is touching another part of the machine) using your hand to gently rock the motor forward and backward (unplug the cord first) look for the parts to move however slightly they may be moving. if they move with your rocking motion and stop hard, there is something that has moved out of place. Closely watch the needle tip first to see how it moves and that it and its clamp are not bumping into anything. following up the shaft, gradually and methodically look at the next parts that you can see moving, and continue checking every consecutive piece in the mech, till you've come to the back end of the motor. if you havent found the culprit by now, at least you have narrowed down the possibilities and you know your toy much better that most people. When you take it to the service man, be sure to tell him how you examined it and every thing you have learned. By giving the repairer this head start, you not only reduce their time to fix it but...they will know that you are fully aware of your machine and understand something of the problem and about troubleshooting your sewing machine. You will probably fix it yourself but if not, you wont be overcharged by anyone. Good luck, I hope this helps. If you want, you can E me at derbyboab AT gmail.com

Set the stitch length to anything other than zero

Hello, angleI 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

Hello, epageI 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

Hello, talatI 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, if you just bought this machine, my suggestion is to take it back & get another one.
the handwheel is not suppose to be hard to turn when it's brand new.. I've been sewing for over 30 years & I wouldn't keep the machine, I'd take it back & get another that works properly.

1.upper tension may be to tight--try 3 to 5

have you tried a new needle
2.the needle may be bent or damaged--try rolling the needle on a flat surface to see if it's bent or not
3.Correct needle insertion
Correct needle insertion is mandatory for proper use of sewing machine.
Raise the needle bar to the highest point, then loosen the clamp screw to remove the old needle, place the new needle in the clamp with the flat side to the back of the machine or if using a round needle--the groove in the needle should face away from the shaft.
Push the needle all the way up to the stop or as far as it will go, then tighten the needle clamp screw
4.also check to see if the thread has come off the thread take up lever

I checked the singer website they have a free downloadable instruction manual in pdf form
Go to the home page
At the bottom of the page look for instruction manual--click on it
It will take you to another page
In the box put the model number (example 8280 ) & click search--it's the middle one

you can check with a sewing shop in your area for one or order one online

from sewingpartsonline.com

or sewvacdoctor.com

singer website has a free instruction manual to download in pdf form
Go to the singer website
Go to the home page
At the bottom of the page look for instruction manual--click on it
It will take you to another page
In the box put the model number (example 8280 ) & click search
They have a free download