To remove the cover of the Singer model 117 Featherweight II sewing machine:Referring to the diagram below:
1.Remove the
face plate by removing the single screw fastening it to the left end of the chassis.
2.To make things easier, remove the presser foot (raise the presser foot and release the presser foot from its holder by pressing the black plastic foot release found at the rear of the foot holder, the foot will fall off.)
3.Remove the plastic see-thru slide plate that covers the bobbin. Remove the bobbin, and remove the two screws that secure the needle plate.Lift off the needle plate.Don't mess with the feed dog screws( Look closely at the" bobbin case assembly" and note how it is installed. The black thing you are looking at is the assembly. The chrome thing that looks like a hook is a fixed "bobbin case stop plate" , the case assembly fits under that and is supported by the hook race. Approximately 180 degrees from the fixed stop is a spring stop- note that the bobbin case assembly is free to rotate/ wiggle approximately 1/8" between these two points, and it is seated evenly in the hook race.Remember what you see so you can reinstall it later)Remove the bobbin case assembly with your fingers.
4.Remove the detachable
tool case from the front of the machine by sliding it to the left.
5.The
face cover is fastened to the chassis with four screws- two on the bottom which also pass through the bottom of the
rear cover, one behind the
face plate just above the lower thread guide, and one on the front of the machine behind the
tool case. Remove the screws on the front and the left end, and loosen the two screws on the bottom ( if you are planning to remove the rear cover go ahead and remove the bottom screws completely.) There is no need to remove the screws that hold the auxiliary leg bar.
6.The screws are out-
HOW DO I GET THE COVER OFF!?!There is a hidden
locking tab located just beneath the mylar seal that warns you to disconnect the machine before servicing and to close the cover before operating the machine. It is located just to the right of the needle plate and directly over the seam that separates the front and back covers. Don't remove the seal just slice it with a razor blade or utility knife right along the seam, make sure you cut all the way through the seal.
Working from the needle plate opening, take a medium sized flat-bladed screw driver and slide it under the
rear cover just behind the seam (see photo) carefully twist the blade in a manner that both separates and lifts the
rear cover off the
front cover- it takes quite a bit of force and it will let loose with a loud snap. After the locking tab is loose the front cover is easily separated and lifted off the chassis.
unlocking the case:
a closeup of the tab on the front cover
7.The rear cover is held on by three screws. There is one through the back at the handle recess, and there are two screws
accessible from the front after the front cover is removed. Lower the presser foot lever, pull the screws and the rear cover will come off easy. Good luck with your repairs.
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