Just got a 301
 

So excited, just got a 301 for my birthday [a few weeks early] had to clean it up a little, oiled it, stitched great, then I took the the tension assembly apart to clean that all up, put it back together, and the stitches just aren't the same, took it apart reassembled it 3 times and just can't seem to get the tension right, just not as good as they were before, any ideas? Should have left it alone dang it...

Did the same thing and got the same results you did. The instruction book has a paragraph on how to take it apart and 2 1/2 pages on how to put it back together!! Still working on mine. If you need the pages on how to put it back together..pm me. Good luck.

Read the manual. That should help you.

thank you, I will get my manual out again, and re-read it, I watched a youtube video, he made it look easy, well it is easy , I just can't seem to get the stitches looking good on both sides at the same time...top looks good underneath looks bad and vice versa...

Go figure, a paragraph to take it apart and 2 1/2 pages to put it back together LOL...I should have thought of that b4 I took it apart...

I would not even think of taking it apart. I can do crafts and such putting somethings back together is just not in my talent list. I hate messing with the tensions just to get a nice stitch and avoid it if I can. I hope you both are able to get them fixed.

I have a 301 and love it even more than my featherweight. Make sure that you are properly trapping the finger of the shuttle when you replace the stitching plate have had mine all apart many times also make sure you are putting the needle in right. Flat side faces left of the tower. Good luck!

If you can follow a pattern you can follow the directions in a manual. Here is a generic service manual. Some times you have to go all the way to the guts and reset the spring and everything. This manual is really helpful. http://www.tfsr.org/ - that sewing manual they put together is gold.

@roserips thank you for the tip on the finger of the shuttle, I wasn't trapping it, made a big difference, @ miriam the sewing manual is great, thank you...think I've got it stitching beautifully now.. yay!!