Singer 8280 Mechanical Sewing Machine - Page 5 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Just use universal sizes from Schmetz, Inspiron or Singer. Strength depends on what you are sewing usually 11's. Read your manual, it will tell you what you need for your projects. If, you have misplaced your manual, just go to www.singerco.com and under support you click on instruction manual and put your number, 8280 in and you can download a free copy, then save it to your computer.

Go to www.singerco.com and download a free manual under customer support. Save it to your computer and then you never have to worry about misplacing it. Happy New Year and happy sewing.

DO NOT TURN AWAY from you. You will mess up the timing and then you will need professional service. Why are you trying to go backwards? To reverse sew, you have a lever

You could have a thread jam in the machine, try cleaning and lubricating and if that don't do it Call Singer at 1-800-4singer and see if it is covered under warranty.

There should be a small screw/thumbscrew on the armature where the needle attaches to the unit, screw it to the left, and pull the needle down to remove it.

I think that you will benefit immensely by downloading your manual for free at www.singerco.com under customer support. When you do that you will be able to save it on your computer in your documents. Now you can enlarge all of the diagrams to see how it is threaded properly. Make sure that your needle is in the highest position and you will see where your thread goes. If, you still are unsure go to Sears and ask about threading a sewing machine, they are always real helpful about answering questions for free. You can take your machine or just go pretend that you are looking to buy one. Almost all mechanical machines thread very much the same. You can also look on yourtube.com. Good luck

I don't know which features you are looking for but these are very basic machines, I think that I would go for a better model than either of these. I bought a Singer Stylist 7258 for $200 from JoAnn Fabrics and got a free lesson on it, plus lots of tips on usage. I really prefer to buy from people who know machines as opposed to big box stores because you can get help when you have a question. Sometimes going to a better model is well worth the extra because you cannot upgrade a cheap machine to a better one and if you buy one with some easy features you will sew more, with no frustration even if you have to put it on lay away to be able to afford it and pay a little each week.

Could be oil on the bobbin winder rubber inside. Make sure the bobbin is not rubbing anything.

If your machine has been sitting and not being used, try oil and taking a hair dryer to your needle shaft. This may free it up so that you can adjust your width and length. Another thing could be that your needle shaft is bent. I hope that the hair dryer does the trick for you.

Try taking out your needle, or at least loosen it, so that it doesn't break off inside your bobbin area. Remove your bobbin and try to clean out the thread or material you have stuck in there. If, you can take a small screw driver and remove your throat plate, now you will be able to get it cleaned out. I would oil the machine as per you manual and you should be fine. Just do NOT turn the handwheel away from you because you can mess up your timing. Always turn it towards you. Good luck. Take a deep breath and you will be fine.

singer.com has a free operation manual

just put in 8280 in the search box

change the needle
clean under the needle plate where the feed dogs are for lint
make sure the thread has not come off the thread take up lever
rethread the machine

It is in your top threading, try this test, rethread, now with the presser foot up, pull the top thread, it should feed smoothly, now lower the presser foot, it should barely move. Sometimes this seats the thread in the tension discs. Also, make sure that your needle is fresh.

Go to www.singerco.com and download a copy of your manual for free under customer support. Now, make the diagram on page 12, larger 125% or more and you should be able to make it out pretty well. Hope this helps.

If you go to www.singerco.com you can download your manual for free under customer support, then blow up the diagram on page 12 to 125% or higher resolution and you should be able to see it pretty good to determine how to place the pieces back together. I had to do that and it worked, so good luck and I hope that I helped you

You can find it here:http://ifixmachines.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&product_id=646&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=54

Please check this link below:
SInger 8280

Also check the official link:

www.singerco.com

You can order from Singer at 1-800-4singer or ebay. On ebay they start at about $14 + $2 for shipping. Just put in "blind hem foot for Singer and you will see a variety of them. Take your pick. I don't know what Singer charges. JoAnn fabrics may carry them or a sewing machine retailer but anyway you do it, it is not expensive. Just remember that you have a low shank machine. Good luck and happy sewing.

Call Singer at 1-800-4singer and order from them

Go to www.singerco.com and download a free copy of your manual under the customer support tab. It will tell you all you need to know about your machine.