Sunday, June 9, 2013

Brother Charger 661

I took a little time today to work on this Brother Charger 661 sewing machine and get it ready to donate to The Sewing Machine Project. I have a few more in my garage, but this is the one I picked first.

IMG-20130609-00488

It is a very nice machine, but it did have a few problems. I picked it up at a thrift store quite some time ago. It is HEAVY! The first thing I noticed, was that the bobbin holder and shuttle were missing. I dug those parts up out of ‘stash’, but then discovered them in the compartment to the right of the machine, so I put those back in. As in all neglected sewing machines, this one needed some oil to free things up. Next, I noticed that when threaded, the needle thread would not pick up the bobbin thread. ‘Hmmmmm, I said, scratching my head’. Sarcastic smile Upon inspection, I noticed that the little pin that stops how far up inside the needle bar the needle goes, was missing. What does one do then? Why, find a nail that fits through the hole, snip it off, and put in that hole….making sure that it is snug so it won’t fly out! If you look carefully, you can see the head of the nail on the right side of the needle bar, just above the needle clamp, and you can the end of the nail sticking out on the left. Later, I wondered if the shank of a broken needle wouldn’t have done the same thing. I’ll have to remember and try that next time!

IMG-20130609-00482

You can also see the nail just over the red top of the needle in this photo.

IMG-20130609-00483

Once I figured out why the bottom thread wouldn’t pick up, I also figured out why the bobbin holder and shuttle were removed from the machine. Did I mention I also found many broken needles and pieces of needles under the machine and in the storage compartment of the machine? I imagine that the operator was just putting the needle in and clamping it down, and many times, the needle was going too far down into the machine, and shattering needles. I hope there were no eye injuries! All fixed, the machine sews a nice straight and zig zag stitch.

IMG-20130609-00485

I put the Sewing Machine Project sticker on the machine and finished cleaning it up. It is a strong and quiet machine.

IMG-20130609-00487

I printed some instructions, cleaned the carrying case up, and she is ready to go to Madison the next time we go!

IMG-20130609-00488

Print Friendly and PDF
Posted by Michelle at 2:30 PM

15 comments:

  1. Cheryl's Teapots2QuiltingJune 11, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    Wow, 3 machines done in a day. I still haven't even plugged in the one I have waiting for you here. Since I'm not sure when I'll see you, I guess it's not a rush. I'll try to find a little suitcase for it, too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. FlorenceMarch 5, 2017 at 3:32 PM

    Could you tell me instructions manual for brothercharger661 don't know how to thread this machine5

    ReplyDelete
  3. FlorenceMarch 5, 2017 at 3:37 PM

    i would like insructions manual to brother charger 661. I need to thread machine.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MichelleMarch 5, 2017 at 3:45 PM

    Brother_Sewing_Machine_Threading/brother_651_threading_diagram.htm

    ReplyDelete
  5. Michael WoodworthMarch 11, 2017 at 9:00 PM

    Do you know how to get the drive knob off? I picked up this machine at a thrift store. Gave it a good deal of TLC and got it sewing like a champ. The teeth for bobbin winding are in bad shape and I have to hold the bobbin over on it to wind. I can dress up the teeth if I can get the wheel off. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MichelleMarch 11, 2017 at 10:50 PM

      Not sure what you mean by drive knob? iluvlou@mchsi.com

      Delete
    2. Michael WoodworthMarch 12, 2017 at 7:17 AM

      In the threading instructions it's called the 'balance wheel'. It has to come off to get to the bobbin tire mount. The wheel on the right that moves the needle.

      Delete
    3. MichelleMarch 12, 2017 at 7:36 AM

      I believe the bobbin tire can be accessed by removing top cover which comes off by removing two screws.

      Delete
    4. Michael WoodworthMarch 15, 2017 at 11:02 AM

      Michelle I thought I answered you. Sorry. It's the big wheel on the right that moves the needle. The threading instructions call it a balance wheel. The screws for the bobbin tire mount are behind it. I can't see how to remove it.

      Delete
  6. MichelleMarch 15, 2017 at 11:45 AM

    Could you please send me an email at iluvlou@mchsi.com so i can answer you and possibly send pictures?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jason PrinceJune 4, 2017 at 8:43 AM

    I bought a Brother Charger 661 at a garage sale yesterday in perfect condition, smelling of fresh motor oil, and am launching into my first sewing project in decades. Thanks for your blog! I love you. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Linda BakerJune 16, 2017 at 3:49 PM

    Hi,
    I have the Brother Charger 661 like you have. Is the needle position suppose to be to the left instead of in the center?
    Thanks,
    Linda Baker
    lindamb@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. gonzalesgeorge357@gmail.comMarch 25, 2018 at 4:36 PM

    I have one for sale brother charger 661 sewing machine any one interested ?

    ReplyDelete
  10. gonzalesgeorge357@gmail.comMarch 25, 2018 at 4:37 PM

    I have one for sale brother charger 661 sewing machine any one interested here's my email gonzalesgeorge357@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. erdDecember 9, 2023 at 1:45 PM

    hi! do you have a copy of the manual? Can you please email one to uniquelysaved97@icloud.com

    ReplyDelete

I enjoy your comments, but if you ask a question, I cannot reply to you if you are a NO-REPLY blogger and do not supply an email address. If you need a reply to your comment, please find the 'Contact Me' button on the right side bar of my blog, which will supply you with a fresh new email for you to compose and send, then I will reply as quickly as I can. Thank you for stopping by.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...