My friend has a Riccar 210B sewing machine. The dial on the very top which adjust the tension will not move at all. We have cleaned and oiled the machine and It runs very nicely, except for that top dial. Are there any solutions?

Sounds like the motor is trying to run but the other machine parts are not moving. If your machine is an older mechanical (not computerized), then it's very possible the machine has seized due to lack of regular cleaning and oiling. Avoid trying to run the machine in this condition as it can damage the motor.

Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and down is very tight...

Tension is most often adjusted at the top tension dial. Only in extreme cases where the top tension does not make the needed adjustments would you need to adjust the bobbin tension. Also, bobbin tension is very sensitive and can easily throw your machine into a tizzy.

Basically, sewing machine tension is simply a tug-of-war between the top and bobbin thread. When they are equally matched, the threads will meet in the middle of the fabric. This is the optimum tension for most sewing. If the bobbin thread is coming up to the top of the fabric, the top tension is too tight--loosen it. If the top thread is going to the underside of the fabric, the top tension needs to be tightened. The higher the number on the dial, the tighter the tension.

FWIW, tension is static. It is not one of those, set it and leave it forever deals. Whenever the fabric, needle, thread are changed, there's a good chance the tension will need to be tweaked.

Understanding Thread Tension Threads

If it's an older mechanical machine, the stitch width selector or dial has most likely seized.

Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and down is very tight...

Manual:
https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/instruction-manual-riccar-777.aspx

Clean & Oil:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR5yCxCUA8g

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An older mechanical machine? Possibly could use a good cleaning and oiling. Old oil may have solidified and preventing things from moving.


Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and down is very tight...

RICCAR 9700 Instruction Manual

Could be the machine needs needle bar adjustment or the machine has not been professionally cleaned & oiled for some time. Old oil solidifies and sticks moving parts together.

Berninamatic 910 is frozen Where can find manuals so that can service it

Sometimes gunk, lint, thread pieces accumulate in the tension disk. To clean it:

1. remove the upper thread
2. raise the presser foot
3. loosen the upper tension all the way
4. moisten a length of pearl cotton with rubbing alcohol (squeeze out excess alcohol)
5. gently pull the pearl cotton down through the tension disk several times

Reset the tension disk to the midway point between high & low numbers and rethread with regular thread.

ALWAYS, before you thread the upper thread, RAISE the presser foot so the thread will seat properly in the tension disk.

...

try adjusting the top tension one number or letter at a time till
the stitch look normal
if you have tried to adjust the top tension and no matter what
setting the top tension is on, it doesn't help, then the machine
needs to be serviced, to see if the machine needs any adjustment
or possibly that the tension dial needs to be replaced.

sounds like your bobbin tension needs to be adjusted

I have a Riccar 210B sewing machine. It is about 37 years old. I have been the only owner and up to yesterday it was working fine. Today the motor seems to have quit.

Is the motor repairable? The tag on the motor says YM-40 80W 115V.

Thank you, Susan in Kailua-Kona HI

If it was sewing correctly BEFORE the needle break...why did the needle break in the first place?...and what fixes did you make?
If it sewed properly...what changed?

Cut your upper thread close to the spool...make sure the presser foot is raised and pull the cut off thread section through/out of the machine from the needle area (sewing direction...do not pull the thread backwards!)

Clean out the bobbin area...remove any traces of lint or pieces of thread...look for any broken off needle pieces... brush the bobbin area out....then add a drop of sewing machine oil (but only if your manual says to oil that area).

Remove the needle plate to expose the feed dogs...brush/clean out that area too and add a drop of sewing machine oil...then secure the needle plate back on.
Replace the needle...do it again...yup...some needles arrive bad from the factory. Make sure the needle is inserted and positioned properly. Then thread the machine WITH the presser foot in raised position. (The thread needs to get seated into the upper tensions.)
..with the.presser foot down...thread the new needle.
Oh...and use the correct needle for the thread. (a universal 80/12 is standard).
Thread can cause issues too. Try a different bobbin, or maybe a different spool of thread to see if that makes a difference.