301 problem
 

I have noticed a problem with my 301. I will be sewing along and suddenly my tension is bad. If I pull out the bobbin I see that the bobbin thread has come out of the tension spring in the bobbin case. This typically happens shortly after I have installed a newly filled bobbin in the bobbin case.

Could this mean that the bobbin is wound too full? If this is not a possible cause does anyone have any ideas?


I took the machine to the shop after I first got the machine because I had problems with the tension. The SMG said he rebuilt the upper tension. When I got it home the stitches 'looked' good but if you pulled on one of the threads it would just pull out. I started adjusting the bobbin tension until the stitches both 'looked' good AND wouldn't pull out.

Now if I can just get rid of this pesky problem. Any help would be appreciated.

I'd take it back to your SMG and have him show you that it has good tension. Or to fix it again. It could be many things and it's really hard to tell without having the machine in front of me and not knowing what the SMG guy did to the tension assembly.

Make sure you have the bobbin in it's case correctly and threaded properly-read the manual. That would be my first suggestion to you...

only adjust the tension with the presser foot down or the thread will just pull out freely - your manual is your best friend keep it near by and look at it frequently
There are lots of reasons the tension doesn't do what it is suppose to here is a trouble shooting list might help: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t170748.html
It is an old one - you may have to cut and paste if the links don't go anyplace

It sounds like you need a new tension spring for your bobbin case or a replacement case. Singer221.com should have the part you need.

Sometimes you have to remove those two tiny screws and remove the tension spring to clean behind it. I've had to do this several times. Sometimes rust forms or thread gets caught there...the tiniest little thing can make it impossible to adjust the tension on the bobbin case.

I do that usually but if you have never done it is can be a scary thing to do. You would want a copy of a service manual and a best friend to help. Keep things in order and don't lose any little parts.

Well now I know I'm not alone. My bobbin thread slips out of a freshly filled bobbin when I'm FMQ. My cure has been to not put on quit as much thread for that. It also helps to use my lone original bobbin, not the repos. Hmm, my second 301 came with several original bobbins. I think I need to 'borrow' a few bobbins from ErinRose for AnnieRose. I don't have a problem when piecing, just FMQ.

Well I pulled the bobbin case out of a featherweight i just bought and used it. Now I do not seem to have the problem. Guess I will be buying a new bobbin case - and adjusting how much thread winds on the bobbin.

Are you sure your bobbin case is adjusted properly? You can tighten it to see if that helps.

When I have trouble with a sewing machine tension I usually fight with it until I pull out the bobbin case, clean it, then adjust it the way it says in a number of places.
Basically I put a full or nearly full bobbin in the case and hold it by the thread. If the bobbin drops away of it's own weight, it's TOO LOOSE so I tighten it.
If it just hangs there and doesn't drop away I give the sting a sharp short snap. If the bobbin case does not drop away a little bit, it's TOO TIGHT, so I loosen it a bit and repeat the test.
When the bobbin case will drop a bit and stop then I put it back in and work on the top tension.

Invariably when I've done this I'm able to get the tension squared away. I just did exactly this last night on a Japanese 15 clone. Nice stitches now.

The vertical loading Singers can be set up the same.

Just remember that sometimes you have to completely remove the top and bottom tension assemblys, take them completely apart and clean them with something that will remove old gunked up oil. If the tension parts or disks look the least bit amber in color, they are really needing cleaned. That amber color is old oil. It will drag on the thread and mess up the tension.


Joe

Not related but I'm finding gunked up balance wheels as well.

301 Bobbin case
 

I had adjusted tension on bobbin case so that it was way too loose and then started adjusting for tightness - using the drop test. No matter what I do it seems to have a problem. The upper thread tension has been cleaned and rebuilt..

Originally the problem of the thread coming out of the bobbin case tension only happened on a new full bobbin. Then it started happening all the time. I have double and triple checked the bobbin placement with the manual.

I did notice that on the bobbin case that comes with this machine I also have a problem getting the thread into the first opening. it just seems to glide over it and I have to really fiddle with it to get it into the opening to then pull it under the tension spring.

I don't have this problem with the bobbin case from the featherweight.

lakekids,

Disassemble the bobbin case spring. Remove it completely. Clean it underneath, in the thread slot and everywhere else. Make sure the grove the thread passes through is clear. Reassemble it with both screws loose. Then make sure the spring is not proud of the edge of the bobbin case and tighten the attaching screw all the way. Then run the adjusting screw all the way down, then back it out 1 turn and start adjusting it from there.

Once you get the bobbin case adjusted go up to the top tension. Look it over good. Make sure it's assembled correctly and all the way in the machine. I set them at "3" to start then sew a bit. If it needs adjusting do that.

If you can't get it the top tension needs some looking at. I've had more problems with top tensions than bottom and usually it's because I have the number ring set wrong. They are not overly complicated, but they do need to be adjusted correctly.

Have you looked at the instructions in the TFSR site? They are worth their weight in gold.
{ http://www.tfsr.org/publications/tec...machine_manual }
Their instruction cover both top and bottom tensions very thoroughly.


Joe

What do you mean by this?

"Then make sure the spring is not proud of the edge of the bobbin case"

OK, you caught me. I made a boo boo. I was typing about 301 and that sort of bobbin case when I stuck in a blurb about class 66 bobbin cases. Duh ............... my bad.

To elaborate, sometimes on Class 66 bobbin cases I have found the tension spring sitting high with the top edge proud of the case body. Sometimes the edge of the spring will act as a knife and cut the thread. Hense not letting it be proud of the case.

The 221/301 and class 15s don't have that problem.

Oops.

Joe