Odd tension problem on my 201
 

Hi all! I have an odd tension problem. When I use reverse, the top tension pulls the bobbin thread up from he bottom. Switch back to forward stitching and the stitches are perfect. Any suggestions on what I need to do? Here's a photo:

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Christine,

Is your 201 close enough to your computer to read over your shoulder? Maybe it's joined my Kenmore in being naughty.

Seriously, I don't know why that would be doing that. Other than the feed dogs everything runs the same weather in forward or reverse. Or, it's supposed to.

Joe

Hmmmmm....that IS odd! Can you sew with no fabric or thread and then look to see what is happening with the feed dogs in reverse? Are you positive that everything is threaded correctly, needle in the proper way, etc?

Yes, I checked the manual to be sure it was all correct. This is my first 201 so I'm not as familiar with it as, say my 15-91, 66-16 or the FW I've had in the past. I'll take the race out and see if something might be caught in there.

The fabric sample looks like a loose weave. Is it? Have you tried it on other fabric weights? Replaced the needle? Are you using a quality brand of thread, like Guterman or Superior, not something purchased at Wal-Mart?

Do you have the needle threaded correctly, next try to increase thread tension to a three.

Oddly, I solved the problem by taking the hook out and cleaning both pieces really well. There was a sticky, thick brown film between the 2 pieces, like 3-in-1 oil had been used in the past. The film was only between the 2 pieces, not the top or sides of the hook, only in between. Very strange. Everything else was clean, spotless really.

At least the stitches are back to normal. Dang... I suspect 3-in-1 oil was used in other areas as well. It looks like I need to soak her innards in kerosene one of these days.

Thank goodness I didn't have access to 3in1 oil when I bought my first machine or I would've been in trouble. I guess people just think, "well, it's oil, isn't it? So I guess I'll just use this can...." glad you got it straightened out!

Lube it well with Tri-Flow now, and you'll not need to soak it in kerosene.

Joe

What does the Tri-flow do to the hardened film that machine oil can't? I'm not familiar with Tri-flow.

My 201 sews a little stiffer than my 15-91. The difference is slight, but since I know what a Singer machine is supposed to feel like, it bothers me to have the machine drag, even though it is only slight. I keep wanting to push the knee lever harder but it already has the pedal to the metal. If I didn't have my other Singers I wouldn't know the difference.

Tri-Flow is an excellent light oil. It has some qualities that regular sewing machine oil doesn't seem to have.
It penetrates better and doesn't gum up.
I've used many oils in my life, and I can tell the difference between regular oil and Tri-Flow when I lube up a machine.
That is why I recommend it.

You can get it at Sew-Classic. On the Tri-Flow pages there is a lot of information about it.

Joe

Is the belt too tight? When I bought one machine, it was sluggish until I loosened the belt.

I have a 201 treadle and 15-90 that's also treadle powered, both of them sew just fine with no drag at all. The 201 is much quieter than the 15-90. I'm thinking that maybe you missed oiling the 201 somewhere, there are a lot of oil points on the bottom of the machine.

That was the first thing I checked. Any looser and the belt slips. I'm certain it's from 3-in-1 oil, since I found the stuff in the hook.

On another note, I was at the Habitat Restore this afternoon and found a 201. It had the potted motor, light in the front, etc. but the gears were so stiff I could barely rotate the flywheel. Looked inside and it was black with hardened crud. Poor thing. The flywheel took a lot of effort just to get it to turn a few inches. I showed this to one of the workers there and told them the $125 price tag needed to include that the machine needed major work on it.

Mine doesn't seem near as bad now. It's needing a soaking in kerosene but she's not crying out for help like that one did.

PS: The Singer 201 made in the UK has the light in the back, and a belted motor. Those made in the USA have a potted motor and the light in the front. My 201 is from the UK, made in 1948. :)

I rewired the machine about 10 days ago. Went over the machine thoroughly, it's easy to oil a Singer when you know where to oil. I'm sure it's lubed well on the bottom. Thanks for the suggestion!

All the ideas you've given have helped me figure things out, thank you everyone! I love this board.

Here's a picture of my 201, all wiring replaced. The motor was made in NJ, machine is from the UK. Found her on ebay for a song!

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