so frustrated!
 

Hi everyone,
I have generally used my trusty old Kenmore for machine piecing, and have had no issues as long as I keep it oiled. I recently started buying other vintage machines and can't get any of them to balance the tension. In each case, I am able to get the top stitches adjusted but the bottom thread is mostly flat with just the slightest glimpse of loops from the top thread. I've tried adjusting the bobbin tension, repeatedly, and nothing seems to change. So then I try to fiddle with the top tension and it just makes things worse. I start getting loops on top, too. This is happening with my Singers (99, 301) and my newest Kenmore (1803). I can get everything balanced on my other Kenmore, so what gives? Any suggestions? Should I set both tensions to zero and then gradually increase each one to see what happens? I'm about ready to just get rid of all my other machines out of irritation.
Help!
Ila

Ila,

Tensions are not complicated. The big thing is they can be gummed up between the disks and other parts and look clean. That plays havoc with the tensions.

Here is a site that gives very detailed instructions on how to diagnose, disassemble, clean, reassemble and adjust tensions: { http://www.tfsr.org/publications/tec...machine_manual } and here is a link to a page in ArcaicArcanes blog where she gives a lot of tips on how to diagnose tension problems:
{ http://www.archaicarcane.com/fragile...ess/#more-1669 }

When I get a new to me machine it gets cleaned and lubed. The top tension is usually removed, disassembled and cleaned, then reinstalled and adjusted according to the instructions in the TFSR site along with the tips from ArcaicArcanes blog.
The bobbin case, hook assembly and that entire area is cleaned thoroughly. The bobbin case especially. Then adjusted.

It's not that hard. If it's got you frustrated, take a break and come back to it later.

Joe

Thanks, Joe. I just got these machines serviced, which is one reason why I'm frustrated. I think I've got the Kenmore all situated. Tomorrow I'll look at the 99. I'll look over the links you included first!
Incidentally, I see you're in central IL. I grew up in Carbondale (southern, not central, I know) and went to 1st and 2nd grade in Urbana.
Thanks again,
Ila

Here is a link for Kenmore tensions
http://mysewingmachineobsession.blog...sembly_11.html
A little dried up oil in the tension will cause it to not want to adjust.
A backward needle will cause it to not sew right.
Tammi is our resident authority on tensions. I think I do mine more intuitively.

Joe, you made my day! I have an electrified 66 Redeye that I picked up a year or so ago that I have been terrified to take apart the tension mechanism. It's a bit rusty and needs to be cleaned desperately but I have been afraid to touch it. The link in your message above is EXACTLY what I need! Woohoo! Will be printing this out later this AM. And once I get the taxes under control, I'll have some time to play with it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Glad to be able to help.

66s are simple, just follow the instructions and you'll get it sewing just fine in no time.

Joe

Thanks Joe for the website on how to clean our tensions. I will subscribe to this thread.

At times, I run a piece of dental floss or dental tape through the disks. Don't know if I should or not, but lint or gunk falls out sometimes.

When I got a new machine, I took a couple of classes. The teacher told us to run a dollar bill through our tension disks.

Connie

Intuitively?

I don't know if I'd call me an authority... I've been beat by tensions enough times that I thought it was finally time to fight back. ;)

Tension gremlins were my numbers 1 through 20 top problems with sewing for the first 24 years I sewed (during which time I took no lessons, never had my machine serviced and sewed the equivalent of maybe one shirt in the entire time, but I did some really nice knitting in the hook area.)

How are you making out now, Ila?

Thanks for checking on me! I got the tension to an acceptable quality, mostly by adjusting and readjusting and on and on until I was satisfied. I removed the bobbin case on the 99 and cleaned that area. I used dental floss on the tensions. I even adjusted the presser foot pressure, which was high on the 99. Just a lot of trial and error. Then I had an epiphany -- I really like my Kenmores better than any of my Singers. I wonder if it's like Coke vs. Pepsi. Most people like one more than the other, maybe. I'm a Coke/Kenmore girl for sure.

The 99s have some weird features in the bobbin area that act opposite of what I would typically expect. easily 2 out of 3 99s I get need some pretty good adjustment in the hook area thanks to previous tinkerers.

Try this post from a couple of years ago: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...g-t195869.html

At the end of the day, if you want to sew and not tinker with the machines, I'd say stick with the ones that have treated you the best. :)

well Tammi, I just visited your website an wow do you have some wonderful info on there! I wish I would have watched your "stuck in the middle" video a week ago! I have a 401 that I was struggling to get the "swing back in" and in the end I didn't use a very light touch and I definitely forced movement, lol! I'm not very patient. It still needs work because the stitch pattern knobs sometimes move smoothly and freely and then the next moment doesn't want to move at all without a lot of jiggling.
But now I am a teensy worried that I really forced this poor machine and sure hope I didn't do lasting damage? :shock:

I'm so glad you enjoy the site. I don't post as much as I'd like to, so I try to make sure that when I do, they're doozies! :) What I showed in that video was to get it unstuck. More than likely you have a little gummed up oil or grease in there sticking intermittently. If you try to remove as much as you can, work the machine, remove the new bits that it spits out, repeat - it will likely become more consistent. If you're using the triflow, it should help dissolve some of that older crud and help it work its way out.

I'm assuming that you forced the needlebar, would that be right? If so, that joint I show that snaps back and forth will take a fair bit of force before things go wrong. I'm also assuming we're talking hand pressure, no prybars or other leverage? :)

If it's more the stitch selectors, look for anything that looks obviously bent. Sometimes the metal will change color a little bit if it bends. Compare if you can to the look of the machine in the video. It's a 411G, but for all intents and purposes identical in the spots you're concerned about.

When it gets hard to move, can you see or feel anything that seems to be blocking it? Take that top cover off and see if the flapper doohicky is moving, etc...

I do find that the stitch selectors are a little fiddly. If one is in x position, the other one doesn't want to move. I do think there's a good chance you want to look more at those "pillars and collars" I talked about in the video for goo though.