221 thread tension dial
 

My featherweight has the tension dial with no numbers, I was wondering if I can change it out for the dial with numbers.

Thanks any help is appreciated.

Short answer = yes.

Long answer = but why, the numbered tension really doesn't work any better than the older style? It just sorta looks a bit more modern.


Joe

I think I like the ones with no dial - sure a lot easier to use.

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

I guess I didn't know the FW came with no dial at all. It might be somebody's rigged up mess.

It has a dial just no numbers. If you have to make an adjustment you just can't tell how far you are making the adjustment.

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.

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"

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.

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