International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society
- Research
Manufacturers
If your sewing machine, accessory, or ephemera has a name on it, this is the place to start. If we don't have a listing for the name, please use the search function to see if there is any mention of it on our site.General Information
Toy Sewing Machines
About Us
- ISMACS News Magazine
ISMACS News
ISMACS News is the magazine of the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society published four times a year for society members. - ISMACS Membership
Joining ISMACS
The International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society is the premiere sewing machine collector's group. A quarterly magazine and access to our annual sewing machine auction are but two membership benefits. - ISMACS Email Digest
Joining the Email Digest
The ISMACS Email Digest is the place to ask all your sewing machine questions. You will be greeted by the internet's finest people and your enquiries will be answered by leading experts.
Willcox and Gibbs Building,
New York City
Circa 1903
Library of Congress,
Prints & Photographs Division
[reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-110212]
THE NEEDLEBAR
Online Manuals Section
Directions for using the
Willcox & Gibbs Automatic Noiseless
Wilcox Gibbs 504 Manual Download
Sewing Machine
(Part One)
INSTRUCTIONS RELATIVE TO THE CARE AND OPERATION OF THE PORTABLE ELECTRIC MOTOR
To Adjust Motor to Machine
Place machine on motor base, so that the felts on the motor coupling enter the opening in the wheel of the sewing machine; then turn machine-end of motor base towards you, allowing it to project over the edge of the table, and tighten thumb screw underneath. When doing this, be sure that the main shaft of machine is in perfect alignment with main shaft of motor by turning wheel by hand slowly from you. Should it not run freely, loosen thumb screw and adjust machine by slight movement to or from you. Again, turn the wheel and if it runs freely, then tighten thumb screw securely, taking care not to shift machine on base.
To Connect with Lamp Socket
Screw plug into electric lamp or base socket; then take plug cap end of flexible cord attached to Foot Controller and snap the two pins into the plug. Do not attempt to screw into or unscrew plug from socket while flexible cord is attached. If you do, you will probably break the wires in the flexible cord.
To Connect Foot Controller
Take the plug cap end of the shorter flexible cord and snap the two pins into the Foot Controller. Light pressure with the foot gives slow speed, more pressure increased speed. The speed may be changed by adjusting the screw underneath the foot pedal, by turning this screw to the right or left. Turning to the right increases speed; turning to the left decreases speed. How much to raise or lower the adjusting screw will be determined by noting speed of machine when foot-piece touches top of screw.
Special Caution
Before applying current, be sure machine wheel turns freely by hand. If it does not, follow instructions under head 'TO ADJUST MOTOR TO MACHINE'.
1. Do not pull Connections from sockets by grasping the Wire.
2. To place Electric Automatic and Foot Controller in Carrying Case.
3. Never oil Foot Controller.
4. Do not oil Motor.
5. Keep sewing machine thoroughly oiled
6. Be sure and use the right Needle and Thread
7. When using Attachments,
8. Do not endeavor to make Repairs.
DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE WILLCOX & GIBBS NOISELESS AUTOMATIC SEWING MACHINE
The Large Wheel is covered in front by a Guard to protect the dress of the operator, and in a recess in this guard is a small Rubber Ball, which acting as a Brake, prevents the Wheel turning the wrong way.
This illustrates the principal parts of the Machine, to which reference is made in the course of these Directions, and a careful study of which will be found exceedingly helpful to the learner.
Treadle Practice
Before commencing to sew, practice running Machine, with one foot, without thread in the Needle, and with Presser Foot raised from Cloth Plate, until you can with ease produce a regular motion.
The Cap that covers the Looper must be kept closed while practising or sewing.
We advise use of one foot only Ccleaner for mac tiger. in running Machine, as it runs so very lightly.