THOMPSON PW-301 (01) PDF Document

The maximum speed recommended for the THOMPSON PW-301 is 900 RPM or “stitches per minute”. The machine uses a regular household circuit of 115 Volts, 60 HZ. It is equipped with a one-tenth (1/10) HP motor with a reduction pulley to provide good power at the recommended speed.

Yes, the THOMPSON PW-301 sewing machine can be mounted on a commercial stand. To do so, it requires a special cut-out table top, a one-inch (1″) diameter pulley, a special Balance Wheel Item No. 11, and a maximum 1725 RPM motor.

Before operating your THOMPSON PW-301, oil all “metal to metal” working parts at the places indicated in the manual. Use only genuine sewing machine oil. After oiling, operate the machine briefly on scrap material to prevent soiling the work. Frequent oiling is recommended.

For the THOMPSON PW-301, use 135×17 needles, size 18 to 23. It is recommended to use size 22 for most medium to heavy sewing. The needle should be installed with the recess positioned as illustrated in the manual.

To obtain the best results with your THOMPSON PW-301 sewing machine, it is recommended to use size 69 Bonded Nylon Thread.

First, thread the machine. Then, pick up the bobbin thread as follows:

1. While holding the loose end of the needle thread in your left hand, turn the balance wheel toward you by hand until the needle moves down and up again to its highest point.

2. Pull the needle thread gently, and the bobbin thread will come up with it in the form of a loop through the needle hole.

3. With your finger, pull this loop until the end of the thread appears. If the bobbin thread does not rise, check to see if at least 5 or 6 inches of bobbin thread is hanging loosely from the bobbin case.

1. With the needle raised, lay the lower or bobbin thread straight back from the needle hole.

2. Place the material to be sewn under the presser feet and lower them onto the material.

3. Hold the upper or needle thread (threaded through the eye of the needle) with the fingers of the left hand. Turn the balance wheel toward you with your right hand until the outside presser foot reaches its most backward position.

4. Now operate the knee or foot control to start sewing.

This procedure is necessary so the motor will start the machine to sewing. Do not help the feeding of the machine by hand, as this may bend or break the needle. Also, damage to the hook can occur. The machine may run a little slow when it’s new but will “free up” and run smoothly with continued use.

Yes. During operation, the balance wheel of the machine always turns toward the operator. To avoid tangled thread and jamming of the sewing hook, do not turn the balance wheel backward (away from the operator).

WARNING: Never operate the machine without material under the presser feet. Your machine will probably “lock” and cannot be operated until the thread is cleaned out of the hook race.

Most sewing will be done with the maximum stitch length. However, the length of the stitch can be adjusted as follows:

1. Loosen the thumb nut on the stitch length lever.

2. Raise the stitch length (feed regulator) lever until the desired stitch length is obtained.

3. Tighten the thumb nut.

To sew in reverse:

1. Lower the feed regulator (stitch length) lever all the way to the bottom of the slot in the stitch length plate.

2. Hold the lever there until reverse sewing is completed.

3. Then return the lever to the forward position.

To achieve a balanced stitch, you may need to adjust the upper and lower thread tensions.

If the bobbin thread appears on the top side of the fabric: The upper thread tension is too tight. Turn the tension adjustment knob counter-clockwise to loosen it.

If the needle thread appears on the bottom side of the fabric: The upper thread tension is too loose. Turn the tension adjustment knob clockwise to tighten it.

To adjust the tension of the bobbin thread, use a small screwdriver on the small screw on the side of the bobbin case. Turning the screw clockwise will tighten the tension, and turning it counter-clockwise will loosen it. A balanced stitch is achieved when both the upper and bobbin case tensions are set correctly.

Do not force any of these operations. Follow these steps:

1. Turn the balance wheel by hand until the needle is at its highest point.

2. Remove the bobbin and bobbin case.

3. Turn knob (A) one half turn toward you.

4. Turn knob (B) one half turn away from you.

5. Remove retaining ring (C) and hook (D) by grasping the axle of the hook.

6. Remove accumulated lint and thread from the retaining ring, hook, and race body.

7. Replace hook (D) in the race body with the axle facing out, forming a perfect circle with the driver (E).

8. Replace retaining ring (C), polished side out, so that both pins are under knobs (A) and (B).

9. Lock the retaining ring knobs (A) and (B).

10. Replace the bobbin and bobbin case, and resume sewing.

If the motor runs but the machine doesn’t operate, the clutch may be disengaged. Follow these instructions to repair it:

1. Remove the clutch stop screw.

2. Remove the hand clutch screw.

3. Notice the position of prongs on the clutch washer in the slot of the balance wheel bushing.

4. Remove the clutch washer and make a 1/2 turn, then replace it. The prongs on the clutch washer must point OUT; it will not work if pointed IN.

5. Screw in the hand clutch screw very tight.

6. Screw in the stop screw.

7. Back off on the hand clutch screw.

8. Run the motor and check to see if the balance wheel turns freely without running the machine.

9. Tighten the hand clutch screw, and the machine should run properly.