Top tension question
 

I did a search and didn't see any theads about this problem. My top tension may be out of sinc. The + and - were to the left as you look at the machine. Shouldn't that be on the top? I should have taken a picture but was anxious to fix it. But I don't know how to turn the doo hickey (is there a image of what to call everything?) And it's not that simple. I saw a youtube on how to take it apart and put back together, but not sure what to do to turn the thing everything goes back on or if I even need to. The part on youtube was turned different than mine. Do I need to change this or just put it back as it was?[ATTACH=CONFIG]571212[/ATTACH]

Kathy, I thought I saw a youtube about how to put it back together and how to get it like it was.

Do you have the TFSR manuals? If you don't, I would suggest downloading all the manuals at http://web.archive.org/web/201610160...achine_manual/ The one you want for this particular issue should be addressed in "The tension mechanism" on pages 12 and 13.

The manual at http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...ine-manual.pdf also talks about disassembling and reassembling the thread tension starting on page 13 of the pdf'


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Thank you and I finally discovered it's called a tension stud. Every single one I find on the net has the groove horizontal and my groove is vertical. That can't be right. I will go now to check out your information. Thanks a million. Oh and I have a confession.....I had the needle in wrong. :D

Whoot! I have my answer. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Janey & John

(4) It is not necessary to remove the stud from the machine arm (as seen here) to disassemble the thread tension - but it does help to show it for the purpose of illustration. However, check that the stud is set with the slot horizontal so that the pointer for the stitch setting can be at the top of the machine. You can see that the 201 has two differentiating features compared with the other models :A: The addition of a thread guardplate with a tail at the top which locates into a hole in the machine

Now I have to find out how to do that. I feel so much better

I do not remember of a 201 has a set screw or if the post is threaded. If it is threaded you do not want to bend it. Put the end piece on and turn it lightly with a screw driver. If it is a set screw you will see one if you look around above or on either side of the tension barrel. Tammi has some wonderful videos on 201 tensions. I think in the resource section.

While you have that open, take the pin out and clean it in 90% rubbing alcohol or naphtha. ive seen a lot of tensions gummed up right there. Until that is clean the tension won't pin won't retract. Do not get the alcohol on the shellac part of the machine alcohol will dissolve not just the gunk and oil but shellac as well. Naphtha will turn the shellac cloudy white so be careful with it, too but if alcohol won't remove the gunk naphtha will. Evap-o- rust is a good product but vinegar will take off rust too. Be sure it is rust first. Some dried on oil is the same color. Dried oil will be a bit gummy.

You are welcome. Seriously, download all the TFSR manuals. The have a lot of good info and come in handy when working on these old machines..

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

My new Featherweight smells like my Grandma's house, sort of stale-oil-urine-type smell. Is there anything I can do for that?

Marcia

Did they have cats where you got/bought it from?

Yes it has a set screw. It's here on the inside just past the silver part of the tensioner. [ATTACH=CONFIG]571251[/ATTACH]

Take off the bottom cover and check the felt pad. That's often the cause of the machine smell. Replacements are available or you can make one.

Cari

Take out the set screw and you should be able to pull the whole thing out. There may or may not be still another set screw holding the stud in the back of the barrel. With out all the other parts, the pin will just fall out when you tip the machine forward - careful not to lose parts. If the stud doesn't have a set screw holding it in place it is threaded and you will have to carefully get it out. I take the stud and pin out to clean. If you don't care if it is clean, loosen the set screw and turn the barrel so the stud is in the right place then tighten the set screw. Remember the barrel is directional or the tension spring won't function. That would be why I totally disassemble and clean all that off the machine with alcohol or naphtha. You do not want to get either chemical on the shellac. I also work with a big old bumper sticker magnet under where I'm working to catch run away parts. TFSR manual has excellent instructions for putting it back together. Tammi has a good video on 201 tension rebuilding but she doesn't show taking out the stud and pin.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kzFXRd...AyBQ2l-Mzkw7ew
I can't remember if she shows how to set the barrel and stud but I remember she didn't take out the pin. If not send Tammi an email on her site. Tell her I sent you.

Barrel just goes flush there are no spring cut outs. That is all in the external hardware. Sorry I mentioned it and possibly confused you - too late to edit that comment out.

Tammi has another video with the tension parts still on the machine. There are more nuggets of info on that video just scroll down her list of videos.

I did watch her video and another one from Gballz. Between the two of them I was able to take the whole thing out, clean it and put it back in. It took me a couple of tries but I did it. Her tips were very useful and I really tried to put it back together like she did but I ended up at one point putting it in the machine and finish the assembly like that. Thank you for your help as well. The 201 is a fantastic machine.