I have a very old viking - feed dog problem

The older 6XXX series are the best machines Viking ever made. But they have one flaw - if the button hole mechanism is not regularly serviced and used, it will eventually stick and the machine will only sew in reverse. This can also happen if you turn the knob backwards when in button hole mode.

I always tell my customers to make a few button holes every time they use the machine. This helps to keep the mechanism free and working between servicing.

Unfortunately the fix is not a DIY consumer project. It requires knowledge and expertise in disassembling the machine and re-aligning the parts. Expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $75 in addition to the regular servicing fee.

Steve P
Minneapolis
aka "The Bobbin Doctor"

Problem: "Machine Only Sews In Reverse"
An owner's manual will not help, and a service manual may assist a little, but not walk you through the process necessary to fix a machine that only sews in Reverse. That is why you ask Fixya. I have fixed this on several machines and have researched on internet YouTube videos also, and this is the summary of what you need to do to fix a machine that only sews in Reverse. The most likely cause your machine only sews in Reverse is that it has sat, unlubricated and unused for many years, and internal mechanical linkages have frozen up in the Reverse mode. Before you start to address the actual problem, eliminate a bunch of factors that may help contribute to the malfunction, namely, do a general Cleaning and Oiling of the machine at all regular Oiling Points. TOOL NEEDED: (a). Good Lighting, (b) Flash-Light, (c) Sewing Machine Oil, (d) Pointed Probe, thin (less than 1/8 inch diameter, with a pointed end), a thin Bamboo Skewer stick (looks like a giant tooth-pick) works very well, or just a straight length of Coat-hanger wire with one pointed end and one rounded end will also work fine. REPAIR STRATEGY: Follow the entire Reverse Button linkage, working (Pressing-And -Releasing the Reverse Button) and lubricating every adjoining part in the linkage, from the Reverse Button to the Feed Dogs. Expect to Press-And-Release the Reverse Button for dozens or even 100 or more times before the linkage totally frees up. REPAIR PROCESS: (1) Remove the top of the machine, by removing any screws on top (usually two). (2) While looking down into the top of the machine, repeatedly press the Reverse Button, observing what parts move and how they form a linkage toward the Feed Dogs. (3) While continuing to Press-And-Release the Reverse Button, place a drop of Oil in the crack where the Reverse Button mounts into the front of the machine. (4) Place pointed tip of Probe on the first moving part of the internal Reverse Button linkage, then place a drop of oil onto the Probe, so the oil slides down the Probe to lubricate only the exact place where the tip of the Probe rests. (5) If the Reverse Button does not retract on its own, that means the linkage is very frozen/gummed-up and will need to be freed by successive pressing and releasing. You may have to assist the Button to retract by assisting with pressure from the inside. (6) Continue the process of oiling every successive part of the linkage, while Pressing-And-Releasing the Reverse Button. (7) You may have to use a Fash-Light held at the proper angle to illuminate every successive part of the linkage. (8) You may have to push a part of the linkage, to free it up so it can move while you press the Reverse Button. (9) Every so often, Test the machine, to see if the machine is normally sewing Forwards, and only sews in Reverse when the Reverse Button is pressed. (10) Continue the process, oiling every part of the Reverse Button Linkage, all the way back to the Feed Dogs. To do this, at some point, you will need to work from the underside of the machine; leaving no stone unturned. (11) In severely jammed /frozen machines, you may need to allow the machine linkages to soak in Penetrating Oil for a while, then manually push and tug the linkage till it starts to free up. If you do need to use Penetrating Oil, removed it as much as possible before re-lubricating with Sewing machine Oil. (12) In rare cases, a part of the linkage is bent or moved out of place, or possibly a spring (if applicable) may be disconnected or there is some-other linkage malfunction. This is a machine model specific, so you may have to consult a "Service Manual" to see where things are supposed to be. (I3) Some repair Blogs or YouTubes claim a Hairdryer may be used to warm-up the inside of the machine to help the lubrication get everywhere it needs to go. (14) At some moment, when you see the Button pop-out all the way, the machine will be able to naturally sew Forward, and obey the Reverse Button to sew in Reverse on command. Hope this helped. Sincerely, Amender 2020-NOV-13.
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