221 thread tension dial
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
Posts: 4,890
I suppose the numbered one might be easier to return to a prior setting or see how far you've adjusted it if you're making changes but other than that there's no real advantage. The non-numbered one is easier to take apart and clean.
As long as they both use the same shaft it shouldn't be a big deal to swap them out.
Rodney
As long as they both use the same shaft it shouldn't be a big deal to swap them out.
Rodney
#6
#7
FW's went into production in 1933. The early machines did not have a numbered thread tension dial. Beginning with the serial number AE, manufactured in 1935-1937, this dial was changed and numbers were added.
#8
I usually count revolutions. I have to do it the most on my long arm because it doesn't have a numbered dial either. What I do is start at a known constant - for the LA that's the post being flush with the knob. I find the tension setting I like and count how many revolutions or partial revolutions forward or backward from that "known constant" and make a note of it, just like when I have a number, so it looks like this (just an example, I don't remember what the actual is at the moment):
Aurifil - 2/3 turns tighter
vs
Aurifil - "4"
Aurifil - 2/3 turns tighter
vs
Aurifil - "4"
#9
Well, good grief I never noticed....now I have to go see which tension dial I have. I even sewed with her several times and never noticed.
Guess that means I don't need a numbered one. Off to go check my FW dial.
Update: She has the numbers dial, maybe I would have noticed if there weren't any numbers?
What a conundrum.
Guess that means I don't need a numbered one. Off to go check my FW dial.
Update: She has the numbers dial, maybe I would have noticed if there weren't any numbers?
What a conundrum.
Last edited by Sunflowerzz; 10-17-2014 at 10:37 AM.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
I'm used to the tension dials with no numbers. My Singer 66 red eye machines have the really old tensioners like your featherweight does. I find it easier with no numbers to fool with.
Sharon in Texas
Sharon in Texas
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