Singer 491D Sewing Machine

Operator's Guidebook

SINGER
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
 CONTENTS
Page
Introducing the new Singer model 491D machine 1
Machine Lubrication 2
Needles 3

Thread 3
Needle Setting 4
Threading the Machine 4
Removing the Bobbin 5
Winding the Bobbin 6

Threading of Bobbin Case 7

Replacement of Bobbin Case 7
Preparation for Sewing 8

Sewing 8

Needle Thread Tension Adjustment 9

Thread Tension Spring Adjustment 10

Thread Protector Adjustment 10

Presser Foot Pressure Adjustment 11

Stitch Length Adjustment 11

Tips for Perfect Operation 12

Copyright (C) 1973 THE SINGER COMPANY

All rights reserved worldwide.
V. J
INTRODUCING THE NEW SINGER
MODEL 491D SEWING MACHINE!

This is the most reliable and lightest With an oil tank, a pump and a minimum
running machine in its class. This fixed of wicks, all parts that need oil are
needle machine produces a high constantly lubricated. Oil flow can be
quality straight seam for both fine easily checked by a sight glass located
fabrics such as lingerie and thick fabrics on the arm top cover.
such as denim jeans and those used for
Quiet and smooth in operation, the
overcoats and jackets.
Model 491D machine is designed for
The machine can reach speeds of up to your comfort — making sewing
5,500 revolutions per minute. smoother, faster and more profitable.

1
LUBRICATING THE MACHINE
Oil your machine! For best results, Type "C" is mostly used when it is
always use SINGER* type "A" or type desired to minimize oil stains on the
"C" oil. fabric even after long machine storage.

Tip the machine backwards and fill the the face plate and oil the needle bar and
oil tank as shown in fig. 2. When the the thread tensioner bearing.
machine is new or has been idle for
long periods, it is advisable to remove

PRECAUTIONS
Correct lubrication is idicated by a
continuous flow of oil through the sight
MUST SHOW STEADY OIL FLOW
glass when the machine is running, as
/ shown in fig. 3.

If oil flow becomes uneven, STOP

machine and check the oil level in the
tank. Fill up as necessary.

At least twice a month, check the level

in the tank. Never allow the oil level to
drop below the "low add oil" mark
shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 3 Oil Flow Window

NEEDLES
The needles you use directly affect the That is why the use of SI NGER needles
quality, strength and appearance of the is so important, according to the table
stitching produced by your machine. below:

NEEDLES

CLASS AND
CATALOG No. VARIETY SIZES

1901 135x7 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19, 20,21,22, 23 & 24
1955

A bent needle will cause stitch failures A needle with a damaged or burred tip
and sewing irregularity. results in poor work finish and may
damage the fabric.

THREAD
In the Class 491D, ONLY use left twist Then roll the thread over toward you
thread in the needle. Either right or left with your right hand. If the strands of the
twist thread can be used in the bobbin. thread wind tighter, the thread is left
To determine the thread twist, hold the twist; if the strands unwind or separate,
thread as shown below. the thread is right twist.

HOLD THIS END.

Fig. 4 Determining Thread Twist

 TO SET THE NEEDLE

Rotate the machine pulley over toward

you until the needle bar moves to its
MOVE TO highest point.
HIGHEST POINT.

LOOSEN SCREW.
After loosening the needle set screw,
insert the needle up to the top as shown
( INSERT NEEDLE UP
AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
in fig. 5.

LONG GROOVE. The long groove of the needle should

face the left end of the machine, as
shown in fig. 5.

Setting the Needle Fig. 5 Then firmly tighten the needle set
screw.

THREADING THE MACHINE

Upper Threading

First rotate the machine pulley over

toward you until the needle reaches its
highest point, then pass the needle
thread from the unwinder through the
threading points in the order shown in
fig. 6. Pull about two inches of thread
through the eye of the needle.

Threading the Needle

Fig. 6
REMOVAL OF THE BOBBIN

Turn the machine pulley over toward

you until the thread take-up lever is at
its highest point.

Open the slide plate. Reach under the

machine base with your left hand and
remove the bobbin case as shown in
fig. 7.

Releasing the latch will free the bobbin

as shown in Fig. 8.
WINDING THE BOBBIN.
Place the bobbin on the shaft C of the Adjust knurled screw D, fig. 9, to
bobbin winder by pushing it on as far as regulate the tension.
it will go and pass the thread through
the threading points as shown in fig. 9. If the thread winds unevenly on the
bobbin, loosen screw B and move the
Wind end of thread around the bobbin a tension lever left or right as necessary.
few times. Tighten screw B.

Press down on the thumb latch, Bobbins can be wound while sewing at
pushing driving pulley over against belt. the same time.
Start the machine.
Lubricate the thread filler periodically.
The bobbin winder stops automatically.
Put a few drops of oil on the filler
For more thread on the bobbin, turn lubrication point shown in fig. 9.
screw A clockwise; for less thread,
rotate it counterclockwise.

When winding a bobbin with fine

thread, light tension should be used.
THREADING THE BOBBIN CASE

Hold the bobbin so that the thread will

unwind in the direction shown in fig. 10.

Hold the bobbin case as shown in fig.

10, and place the bobbin inside as
shown in fig. 11.

Fig. 11

BOBBIN CASE REPLACEMENT REPLACE BOBBIN

After winding, hold the bobbin case by

the latch with your left hand and place it
on the center stud of the bobbin case
holder as shown in fig. 12. Release the
latch. Press the bobbin case back until
the latch catches the groove near the
stud. Leave about two inches of thread
to hang free.
PREPARATION FOR SEWING
Hold the end of the needle thread
lightly. Then rotate the machine pulley
toward you until the needle moves
down and up. Then pull the needle
thread; and the bobbin thread exits
through the needle plate bore as shown
in fig. 13. Place both threads under the
presserfoot before starting sewing.

SEWING
Place the material under the presser
foot and lower it. Everything is now
ready for sewing - quickly, smoothly
and easily.

For easier material removal, stop the

machine when the needle bar begins its
downward stroke. Lift the presser foot,
draw the work back behind the presser
foot and cut the threads close to the
fabric.
NEEDLE THREAD TENSION
ADJUSTMENT

Normally, the tension of the needle and

bobbin threads should be balanced so PERFECT STITCHING

that if you were to look at a cross

section of a line of stitching, the needle
and bobbin threads would be locked in NEEDLE THREAD TENSION TOO TIGHT.
the center of the thickness of the
material as shown in fig 14A. Incorrect
adjustments cause the conditions
shown in 14B and 14C. NEEDLE THREAD TENSION TOO LOOSE.

Fig. 14
Adjust the needle thread tension as
shown in fig 15. Make sure the presser
foot is down when making tension
adjustments.

The needle thread tension should be

just enough to form the correct stitch on
the material. See fig 14A.

For general sewing, the bobbin thread

tension should be very light. If
adjustment of the bobbin thread is MORE
TENSION
LESS
TENSION
necessary, remove the bobbin case
Regulating Needle Thread Tension Fig. 15
and adjust as shown in fig 16.

LESS TENSION.

Regulating Bobbin Thread Tension Fig. 16

 THREAD TENSION SPRING
ADJUSTMENT
The tension and stroke of spring
movement of the thread tensioner A
may require different adjustments
depending on the thread thickness and
the material used. Thicker threads and
thicker materials require higher
tension, while delicate materials
require lower tension. Also the
movement of the tensioner spring must
be increased to ensure correct thread
control.

Using a screwdriver on screw B, turn it

counterclockwise to decrease tension
or counterclockwise to increase
tension as shown in fig. 17.

To adjust the height of the tensioner

spring, loosen screw C (fig. 18) and turn
the entire tensioner assembly to the left
if you wish to lower it and shorten it, or
to the right to raise it and increase it.
Firmly tighten screw C.

THREAD PROTECTOR
ADJUSTMENT

To achieve perfectly interlaced stitches, For thick materials or long stitches,

taking into account material thickness move the thread protector to the right.
and stitch length, adjustments to the
thread protector D may be required, For thin materials or short stitches,
which can be adjusted by moving left or move the thread protector to the left.
right as illustrated in fig. 18.
TO REGULATE PRESSER FOOT
PRESSURE
Correct presser foot pressure helps
feed the work properly.

The pressure on the material should be

as light as possible, while still sufficient
to ensure properfeeding.

Adjust the presser foot as shown in fig.

19 and then firmly tighten the nut.

ADJUSTING THE STITCH

LENGTH

The stitch length adjustment scale A

controls the number of stitches per
inch. The numbers that appear on the
scale mean the number of stitches per
inch. To adjust the stitch length, rotate
scale Aas shown in fig. 20.

The machine produces a maximum of 6

stitches per inch (4 mm in length).

To change the feed direction for back

tacking, depress feed reverse lever B
quickly to its lowest position and hold it
until the back tack is complete.

11
TIPS FOR PERFECT OPERATION

• Always keep the oil level in the oil • Do not try to 'help' the machine by
reservoir at the "HIGH" mark. pulling the fabric.
• When turning the machine pulley, • Never press the knee lifter while the
always turn it over towards you. machine is running.
• Always keep the bed slide plate • Do not run the machine when
closed when the machine is in threaded unless there is material
operation. under the presserfoot.
• Clean out any lint or other waste
around the hook and between the
feed rows on the underside of the
throat plate.
 A

THE SAME!

BUY PARTS AND

NEEDLES MADE
BY SINGER.

TO BE DOUBLY SURE ...

of new machine performance, make sure that all
replacement parts and needles are exactly the
same as those in new SINGER machines.

LOOK FOR THE TRADEMARK

1. on every package or container.
2. on the needle or numbered part.

Needles in packaging marked "For Sinqer Machines" are

NOT made by SINGER.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

The improper placing of the "SINGER" trademark, or any
other trademark of The Singer Company (all of which are
duly registered trademarks) on any machine that has
been repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, or altered in anyway,
outside a SINGER factory or an authorized SINGER
agency is prohibited.

A registered trademark of THE SINGER COMPANY.

v J
Translated from Portuguese edition

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