Replacing Retaining Springs on White 1502 Double Bed Knit Machine

Disclaimer: I am not a professional, nor do I have any experience with White Knit Machine maintenance or repair.  I received this machine for my birthday and have been learning about it with the help of other blogs and online forums. All knit machines are different and my instructions only apply to White 1502 model.

After frustrating months trying to use my used knit machine (White 1502 Double Bed) I came to conclusion that I needed to replace the retaining spring on the front bed and some needles.

When the knit machine can't hold a needle in a position, you know you have bent the retaining spring and it needs to be replaced.  The first thing I did when I got this knit machine is bend the retaining spring.  I bought two just in case I would need a second.  Since my machine hadn't been used since the 1980's I decided to change the retaining spring on the back bed as well.

To change the retaining spring you will need the replacement springs.

You will also need a lot of light to see the screws, and a 3.0mm flat head screwdriver and needle nose pliers.

First, unscrew (with a regular size flat head screw driver) the screws on the bottom on each plastic end of the knit bed.  There is only one screw on each side.  Set screws aside in a safe place.  Pull off the plastic ends and set aside (I had to shimmy them off).

Take knit bed off table and put upside down on the floor (either on carpet or a blanket).  I suggest taking all needles out BEFORE turning it upside down.  I didn't and I broke 2 needles.

Let's start with replacing the retaining spring on the front needle bed:
After removing the retaining wire and all the needles, place the knit machine upside down on a blanket on the floor.  You will see two rows of screws.

The screws on my machine were old and soft, so I wanted to be careful not to strip them.  In order to loosen them, I used the 3.00mm flat head in my left hand and used the needle nose pliers in my dominate hand to unscrew them.

Once I unscrewed the screws (they only loosen; they do not come out) I taped them in fear of them falling out.  This turned out to be unnecessary since they don't come out.

So, there is a screw on each extreme end that is covered by knit machine gears.  In order to get to these screws, you must push in both release lever knobs and pull the front bed down as far as it will go (it will not come all the way off).

Once it is in the farther position from the machine, there will be holes that line up over the screws so you can access them to unscrew them.

Once all screws are loosened on the row, turn machine right side up and the slide rail.  You will see the retaining spring under it.

See the tiny spring under the bar?

If your machine hasn't been used in a while it may be dirty, as mine was.

The retaining spring is held on each end by two metal discs.  You simply pick up the spring to remove it.

Here is a shot of the bent part of the old retaining spring.

Before replacing the spring be sure to clean the groove the spring sits in.

I vacuumed in the groove and I used Q-Tips (smush the ends so they fit into the groove) to run inside the groove to clean it.

Once clean, take the new retaining spring and anchor it on each end of the bed, letting a few spirals hand over each disc.

Then place the slide bar over the retaining spring (get a friend to hold it) and tighten the screws on the bottom.  Return front needle bed position to normal.

DONE

Replacing the retaining spring on the back bed:
The back side of the back need bed is covered in a sheet of metal.  There are holes so you can access the screws.  Using the same plier method, loosen screws.

There is a surprise waiting for you once you have loosened all the screws and turned the knit bed right side up.  The slide bar will fall off to reveal, the earth band, a metal strip that runs in between the retaining spring and the inside of the slide bar.  Do not ask me what this "earth band" is for; I don't know.  All I know is that it is vital to the knit machine and should be treated with care.

So, as you remove the old retaining spring and clean the groove be sure not to bend the earth band.

Replace the retaining spring as you did with the front bed anchoring it to each disc on the ends.

Once the new retaining spring is in place, hold the slide bar over the retaining spring, letting the earth band fall beside the machine (you will slide it in later).  Have a friend hold the slide rail as you turn the knit machine around to reach the screws that are accessed through the holes in the metal.  Be prepared for frustration.  Slightly screw in the screws on each end of the back bed.  It should hold the slide rail, but not be tightened all the way.

The angle that the 3.0mm flat head screwdriver must enter the hole to access the screws is not ergonomic and you will have to fiddle around to get the screws to catch the thread of the slide rail.


After the two end screws are loosely screwed on, slide the earth band under the slide rail and into its position between the retaining screw and slide rail.

Then hold the slide rail and turn the knit bed over and tighten all the screws.


You have just replaced the retaining spring on the front and back needle bed.  Be sure to put the needles back in the comb.

Once the needles are back in the bed, replace the retaining wire and mount back on the table.

You can see how excited Ebe is with my completion.