Singer 99K Tension Dial
 

I am trying to find a tension dial for my Singer 99K. The tension is working fine - but not having the dial annoys me. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I might find one? I am seeing tension assemblies for the Singer 15 class...but not the 99K. I would be interested in purchasing just the dial part, but I am thinking I might need to purchase the entire assembly

I am fairly new to the antique sewing machine world. I also have a featherweight.

don't have advice, but wanted to welcome you to the Quilting Board

Thanks Nancy! I am really happy to have found "The Quilting Board". I am still absorbing all the information on this site.

If my mind is thinking correctly, I believe there are a few variations in the dial. Do you have a picture of the remains of yours?

Some 66s didn't have dials. Mebbe the same for 99s???

Being new to posting in the forums - I am having a issue posting my photos...I will keep on trying!

See photo in "Singer 99K Tension Dial Photo" thread.

Singer 99K Tension Dial Photo
 

Here is the tension dial

that may be how it came.

What you have is not missing anything, Singer didn't start putting numbers on the tension knobs until later. The 99 was made from the early 1900's into the 1950's and a lot of things changed over the years. The earlier 99's did not have reverse, and then Singer added the back tack, and the latest had full reverse. One interesting item, Singer never put elaborate decals on the early 99 like they did on the 128 and the full size models of the same age.

You may be able to replace your tension assembly with on from a newer 99, but I don't know for sure if they'd fit.

Don't bother too much about the old type tensioner, you will soon get used to it. The easiest way about it is to do a drop test to get the bobbin tension right (bag of beans or rice), then adjust the upper tension nut until you get a balanced stitch. It's easy once you get used to it. Unless you switch between thread weights a lot, you will get by with one bobbin case. It can be a help to have one bobbin case for top stitch thread, and one for sew-all weight. Bobbin tension is more fuzzy to adjust.

Thanks, Cathy, I was a bit fuzzy today.