Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17
  1. #1

    Sewing Machine HELP!

    Hello all!

    I'm not a sewing vet, but I've hacked together a few things in the past. Today I've run into a problem. When I attempt to use my sewing machine I get about 4 stitches in when the machine stops working. Each time the thread has become tangled on the bottom side of the fabric. After about an hour I've determined the problem to be the plastic housing the bobbin sits on/in. When the thread is caught by the circular metal thing that spins (sorry not sure what its called). For some reason its going under the coaster rather than over it.

    Any suggestions?

    This problem has happened to me in the past; usually I take the machine apart, clean it up a bit and it's back in action, but this time nothing seems to help. I can take a picture if it will help, right now I'm not at home.

    Thanks in advance everyone!

    Peace
    -Nate

  2. #2
    Senior Member sclittlefield's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Northern woods of Maine
    Hammock
    It's a Secret.
    Tarp
    BWDD Winter Dream
    Insulation
    Crowsnest
    Suspension
    Slings
    Posts
    1,431
    Images
    95
    Pictures always help. Get a good picture of the problem area and I bet Ramblinrev will be on it in moments with some possible solutions.
    DIY Gear Supply - Your source for DIY outdoor gear.

  3. #3
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Muskegon MI
    Hammock
    G-Bird II/Bridge
    Tarp
    Ogee tarp
    Insulation
    DIY TQ DIY Down UQ
    Suspension
    whoopies
    Posts
    6,686
    Images
    45
    Check that your needle is not bent, or replace it with a new one. Check your bobbin for proper tension as well, should hold thread firmly and not dropp more than an inch or two when you let it go. Make sure everything is threaded correctly and needle is installed correctly. If that won't do the trick, repairs might be in order.
    I believe the culprit (bobin race, thats what the little do-hickey is called, I think) could be loose. I had a similar problem awhile back. Sounds similar at least. There is a bushing that holds the bobbin shaft and it had come loose. Pull the plastic cover off the machine.
    under the foot you will see a shaft with a bushing on it, it is probably loose. A small allen wrench will tighten it up and then put everything back together.
    Should look something like this.
    dead battery 077.JPG
    Little more specific
    dead battery 078.JPG
    You can see the gear/bushing I'm talking about and the set screw that I needed to tighten. That is a pic from the back side of my machine. Slide the bushing back in all the way on the shaft to mesh with the drive shaft gear, and tighten. Mine had a big flat spot where it went to correctly hold the timing. (I'm thinking most machines are similar.)
    If your mechanical abilities are up to it. If not spend the money on a qualified tech repair.
    Try the new needle first, to see if that is the case.
    If you got the machine all tore apart, clean it up and add some lube. Gun oil works great and is cheap (find it in the outdoor/sports section at walmart, etc.) Go lite on the oil, just enough to keep things moving, not too much that its dripping all over. Hope that helps.
    Ambulo tua ambulo.

  4. #4
    MacEntyre's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Trouble Ranch on Troublesome Creek, NC
    Hammock
    Molly Mac Gear
    Posts
    7,617
    Images
    6
    Tangle on the bottom, increase thread tension.

    Tangle on the top, decrease thread tension.

    - MacEntyre, tangled above and below
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
    www.MollyMacGear.com

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    New Orleans, LA
    Posts
    3,554
    Images
    57
    Make sure the bobbin is in the correct way. Sometimes having it in backwards causes bad things to happen.
    Is that too much to ask? Girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?
    The hanger formly known as "hammock engineer".

  6. #6
    MacEntyre's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Trouble Ranch on Troublesome Creek, NC
    Hammock
    Molly Mac Gear
    Posts
    7,617
    Images
    6
    Bobbin always pulls thread off so as to turn the bobbin clockwise.
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
    www.MollyMacGear.com

  7. #7
    Senior Member seawolf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Monterey, TN
    Posts
    113

    sewing help

    Had the same problem, the bobbin spool was to thick on mine.

  8. #8
    Senior Member kayaknut01's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    cedar rapids, ia
    Hammock
    warbonnet blackbird, eno doublenest
    Tarp
    oes,warbonnet
    Insulation
    yeti/incubator
    Suspension
    whoopie sling AHE
    Posts
    576
    wife had same problem, got cleaning and light lube did it wonders, sounds like a honda insight now
    i do not remember the question, however i believe beer is the answer

  9. #9
    So far no luck. This is the problem I'm having. Also its a Singer 6217C if that's helpful.

    Thanks everyone!
    MUCH Appreciated.

    -Nate

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    wherever the wind blows
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
    Tarp
    Hammock Gear Cuben
    Insulation
    100% Hammock Gear
    Suspension
    Whoopie Sling
    Posts
    1,549
    Images
    26

    Nice video

    Nice video man. A video is worth a thousand words. I am looking for that repair manual now...

    sc
    Owner/Founder at Hammockgear.com - Hammock Camping Outfitters
    Home of the Burrow, the Incubator, and the Phoenix

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. My new sewing machine!
      By Porkroll in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 10-27-2013, 08:08
    2. Sewing Machine
      By jclick in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 08-10-2011, 11:29
    3. Got me a sewing machine
      By aboyd in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 05-04-2011, 20:01
    4. Sewing Machine?
      By jbryan in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 11-18-2009, 19:29
    5. Sewing machine help
      By john30563 in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 35
      Last Post: 02-25-2008, 15:11

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •