Originally Posted by
Gray fox
Maybe this is just the way the machine works. Another new needle made no difference. In Connie McCaffery's book, she says that if the bobbin thread can be pulled up by turning the hand wheel, the machine is timed. This machine not only does that, but makes nice stitches. If Connie's comment applies to all machines, we're good to go.
Dianne, the feed dog should
never allow the needle to bend, so I'd say you were correct initially and there is a feed timing problem. Feed timing is different to hook timing.
I'd like to add that when my daughter's Singer 498s hook timing was out the bobbin thread could still be pulled up, so my experience disagrees with Connie's assertion. The machine would not produce a balanced stitch regardless of the tension adjustment on with upper and bobbin threads. Since yours does, I'd suspect that the hook timing is OK, the feed timing requires adjustment. If you don't adjust it, it will break needles when you sew heavier fabric or multiple layers.