Servicing the Singer Genie 354 / Starlet 353 Sewing Machine from 1974

Servicing the Singer Genie 354 / Starlet 353 Sewing Machine from 1974 - Part 1

Рет қаралды 17,956

Күн бұрын

Part 1 of a 2 part series where I service this lovely 1974 Singer Genie 354 sewing machine.
The Singer Starlet (353) model is very similar so methods shown here also apply to that model.
Panel removal, hook timing and setting needle bar height is covered, along with some troubleshooting and setting the motor belt tension.
See part 2 here - • Servicing the Singer G...
Web Site - www.institches.co.nz
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Index:
0:00 - Intro
0:29 - I found my other Singer Genie but...
2:39 - Starting the teardown
3:45 - Removing the slide plate and needle plate
4:22 - Removing and inspecting the bobbin case
5:40 - Removing the back panel
8:06 - A look in behind the back cover
8:30 - Starting front cover removal
9:00 - Removing the front facia and tensioner
11:38 - Front cover removal continued
12:35 - Removing the base
13:30 - Removing the final front cover screw and front cover
14:08 - Cleaning the working parts
14:55 - Before service test
16:04 - A quick clean of the controls and hand wheel
18:30 - Lubricating the top mechanisms
22:11 - I found a problem with the stitch selector mechanism
24:28 - Lubricating the tensioner slider
24:55 - Lubricating the needle bar area components
27:15 - The timing marks and checking hook timing
29:30 - Setting the hook timing
30:54 - Checking and setting the needle bar height
33:40 - More lubrication points
35:08 - Lubricating the under side mechanisms
37:40 - Checking and adjusting the motor belt tension
39:08 - Part 1 conclusion and thanks

Пікірлер: 47

@dianekillmon6894 10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for your excellent detailed videos of the Singer Genie/Starlet 354. I just purchased one from an original owner who received it in 1976, the same year I was given one for high school graduation. I traded mine in for a Pfaff Creative 1471 (which I still use almost daily) in 1985. Because of your thorough tutorial, I was able to remove the Genie covers, clean, oil and grease correctly, and put her back into top running shape. You are making a difference and keeping machines in use all over the world. What a gift!

@tiami4251 2 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful for me ! This is my first sewing machine and i completely serviced it thanks to your video. I would not have been able to do it without you. Thank you so much ! She's brand new now 💙

@InStitches 2 жыл бұрын

That's great to hear. Thanks.

@christinafidance340 Жыл бұрын

This is my first machine too! I just found it at Goodwill for $15.99 and I’m SOOOO EXCITED!!! I’ve wanted to learn to see for a long time now, plus I live in an RV so I love the fact that it’s compact & portable!

@shopwornbear1171 2 жыл бұрын

I just commented on your assessment video about this very machine...the Starlet. I am in Canada, and these machines were pretty popular with ladies in the mid seventies to early eighties. They didn't take up a lot of room, were very self-contained, and got the job done. Some I've spoken to have said they liked the smaller feet that were used on these slant shank machines. It, according to mama here next to me, made it easier to get into very tight spaces when sewing, and never failed to sew a nice stitch. Her machine, when I redid it required a new tension assembly as the spring mechanism on hers was too far gone to save, and of course, being a gear driven unit, all of the gears were disintegrating. I replaced the gears and the assembly, cleaned and oiled it (except the motor, that's going to be done in the fall), replaced the cover latch which had failed on hers, put in a new slant shank as the old one had stretched and would no longer hold her feet securely, and...retro brighted the cabinet for her. She has a few machines, but this one was her first new sewing machine, and she's kind of attached to it. Really enjoy your videos. Hope your little helper is doing well. OH, and her Starlet is more of a burgundy coloured pattern, instead of the marmalade colours of your two machines. Hers also is a free arm model. Yours is identical to your Genie as it is a flatbed model. Weird, I learned something new today.

@jasonbednar3597 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your help! My mom gave me a Genie years back and a pattern snd material to make myself some pajamas. I never did make them and have only used the machine once or twice for little repairs. Well when a friend borrowed my machine lately to take a beginners course the bobbin winder wouldn't work. The fabric shop wanted $100 to get it working. She declined. Now I've got a sewing project I definitely want to complete, and some boxers to mend, but I had to get that winder working. After you showed me how to get the cover off, it turned out, just as you said, it needed a good oiling. Spins like a charm now! Let the sewing commence!

@chrispeak9893 3 жыл бұрын

Hey there! I was just given a vintage singer model 764 and it’s in awesome condition. Had to put in a new cam stack gear and pattern selector actuator. Runs great and sews awesome

@InStitches 3 жыл бұрын

Sounds great!

@tinyhandmadedolls4529 2 жыл бұрын

The new camera is fantastic! Really great quality videos. Love the shallow depth of field.

@mokhtarnaas5463 Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for studying Algeria

@stereo-sound-processor 8 ай бұрын

Привет! Извини, но я напишу на своем языке, надеюсь переводчик Ютуба всё правильно переведет) Спасибо большое за эту инструкцию, благодаря ей, я смог обслужить только что купленную машинку Singer Starlet 354. Хотел бы заметить что она весьма значительно отличается от твоей Genie. Например, те детали, которые у тебя сделаны из нейлона у меня сделаны из метала, мне кажется у меня практически нет деталей из пластика. Ещё, и самое главное - у меня насечки на направляющей иглы совсем на другом расстоянии, и мне пришлось смотреть другое видео со Starlet, чтобы настроить иглу правильно. Ещё у меня нет некоторых дырок для смазки в которые ты заливал масло, а ещё у меня нет некоторых отверстий в корпусе которые есть у тебя. Ещё у меня другие ролики снизу. То есть модели различаются не так мало, как кажется на первый взгляд, но в целом, конечно, конструкция у них аналогичная)

@zane9419 Жыл бұрын

I’ll bet you’ve given this Singer Genie it’s first oiling and adjustments in it’s Almost 50 year life. We thought these were cheap, poorly made machines! How wrong we were! So many metal parts and bearings! What a modern machine has only 4 bearings. Stepper motors won’t last as long. When’s the video on the Starlet? I had one!

@alexaelliott2598 3 жыл бұрын

OMG, what fantastic machines to have in your collection. I recently acquired a Bernina 1120 in excellent condition. It becomes an addiction. I love the quality mechanics and excellent design of the older machines. They could all be used as a ship’s anchor compared to the machines on today’s market,

@InStitches 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing.

@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647 3 жыл бұрын

I'm about to faint, but drooling right now. :D, you can tell the two different colors

@stevenarmstrong7575 3 жыл бұрын

I'm looking for information on the Singer 495 Starlet. It's a nearly identical machine except the 495 is a free arm and has a four step button hole dial. Any information on the 495 would be appreciated.

@amandawhyte6151 3 жыл бұрын

I have a 353 badged as a Genie, same colour scheme as your Starlet. I thought they were badged Starlet for the UK market..

@InStitches 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, that's interesting. Yes, as far as I know, the Starlet was sold into the European market.

@chrisjentz677 2 жыл бұрын

I'm in the U.S.; I also have a 353 Genie with the 'salmon' color scheme that's on the Starlet shown in this video. Got it for a song from an online thrift store. I plan to use this helpful video to fully service. She's in great shape and sews a lovely stitch but runs a bit loud.

@djsamia4569 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@nouramariam915 2 жыл бұрын

Am from algeria thank you very much

@carlyar5281 10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this video! I inherited my Genie 354 for my grandfather 25 years ago, but I haven’t used it in 15 years. This video has been great for cleaning it up and getting it going. I have one question, is it OK to use a can of compressed air (the same used for electronics) instead of an air compressor?

@InStitches 10 ай бұрын

Hi. Yes, I'm sure canned compressed air would be fine. Thanks.

@jays5671 2 жыл бұрын

This video (and the follow up) is perfect, I just inherited a genie 354 from my grandmother that belonged to her sister- hasn't been used since at least before I was born (20+yrs!). What oil and grease would you recommend to use? Given the age since last use and the loudness of the machine, I think it'll be best to fully redo the grease, its all very orange and far too sticky

@InStitches 2 жыл бұрын

Hi. Sewing machine oil and I use Fenwick's stealth high speed grease for most things. Cheers.

@mokhtarnaas5463 Жыл бұрын

merci

@merjemvr 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. I opened the bottom because the bobbincase does not move. I found a broken part in it..... now I have to open the whole thing to see what is broken...Im afraid i can't get that part anywhere...

@merjemvr 2 жыл бұрын

We found the part but it is situated on a difficult place .... it is the wheel that moves the arm of the bobbin.

@merjemvr Жыл бұрын

We found a new gear and had someone fix it. Costed some but 'm happy it works again.

@user-fg2db2oy3v Жыл бұрын

This video is awesome thank you so much. Now to get to cleaning mine. Where did you get the fabric?

@user-pb7ee4tk3q 14 күн бұрын

What type grease do you use?

@maxwang2537 Жыл бұрын

Very useful video. Thanks. One question, what kind of grease should I use, general purpose would do I suppose?

@InStitches Жыл бұрын

Hi. Yes, general purpose grease should be okay. Something with graphite in it would be good. Thanks.

@maxwang2537 Жыл бұрын

@@InStitches Thanks. I recently got a Starlet 354 as well. It’s absolutely a beauty, a perfect combination of engineering excellence and aesthetic taste. After a quick clean and oiling, it impressed me further that its unique design seems (to me, without detail analysis) to have less moving parts, or less amount of movement of parts, so requiring less oiling, i.e. less maintenance.

@Jj-zy4xe 3 жыл бұрын

What kind of grease is that? Is that safe to use on plastic parts?

@melodychipfakacha20 8 ай бұрын

could you do a Mon Ami II deluxe 390?? by any chance??

@lesliez1652 Жыл бұрын

I have a Genie and also a Mon Ami II deluxe 390. I have read about the Genie and Starlite but haven't seen anything on the Mon Ami II nor can I find an instruction book for it. It is very similar to the Genie but has a free arm - I use them both. Wanted to send a pic of the two but can't figure out how to do that under comments. Guess you just can't.

@m.saldarriaga3908 11 ай бұрын

I also have a Mon Ami, but mine is the Deluxe 385. I cannot find any videos or manuals on it either. Have you been able to find anything for yours since?