sewing help needed

[bito7]

I have an old singer i got from a thrift store and I am having issues. When I sew it will work for a while (4-12 inches) and then the thread will snap and there will be a bunch of threads knotted on the underside of what I am sewing. It is like the needle is drawing the bobbin thread up multiple times.... It has been fine for sewing my stuff sacks and my python skins but I want to get it figured out before I attempt to do my blackcat tarp. anyways, does anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong?

[Peter_pan]

Change the needle.... rethread, top and bobbin ....then check tension....

still not good repost here.

Pan

[lvleph]

Could be the needle or it could be the timing. Could also be a barbed bobbin. Change the needle, see if that helps. Then look at the bobbin for any barbs. Last resort, take it in. Make sure you are not forces the fabric and are just guiding it.

[Coffee]

yeah what they said.

Look closely at the bobbin and thread tension. That is what caused that in the past for me. Also make sure the bobbin and bobbin case are in the correct way.

[headchange4u]

Take out the bobbin case clean and re-oil it. Check the hook for burrs (this will cause a birds nest on the bottom. I just had this problem a week or so ago).

[bito7]

I am going to take it apart tonight, clean, oil, and change the needle. Where is the hook? Is it on the bobbin case? It sounds like headchange may be onto something.

[lvleph]

I should clean mine this weekend. Headchange was agreeing with the rest of us, he just said it better.

[headchange4u]

Yes the hook is part of the bobbin case. it's actually called the shuttle hook. You can see pic of what I'm talking about here (about 1/2 down on the page. Called Sewing Shuttle (Hook) #2515ZST)

[Frolicking Dino]

The only thing I can add to what the fellows have already said is that an old machine from the thirft store probably needs a good cleaning and oiling.

[rptinker]

I have an old singer i got from a thrift store and I am having issues. When I sew it will work for a while (4-12 inches) and then the thread will snap and there will be a bunch of threads knotted on the underside of what I am sewing. It is like the needle is drawing the bobbin thread up multiple times.... It has been fine for sewing my stuff sacks and my python skins but I want to get it figured out before I attempt to do my blackcat tarp. anyways, does anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong?

check the bobbin specially the tension adjustment screw. sometimes dirt and fluff accumulates in and around the tension adjuster thingy which messes up the bottom of the fabric with tangled threads!