Stupid sewing question - bottom thread tangles

[CajunHiker]

I had major issues until I discovered that I incorrectly threading the tension part of the top thread. Check your manual.

[Darby]

I would check your top threading & tension. Specifically where the thread goes through the tension discs. This doesn't sound like a power problem. If there is not enough top tension, the top thread wont pull the slack out of the bottom thread.

Cheers, Dale

[Mule]

I may be able to help here. When you are sewing very thick items like webbing the presser foot is relatively high. When the presser foot is raised it discontects the spool tension. You can crank the tension up as high as you want and it would not make a difference. Not sure what to suggest without knowing what you were doing. Don't sew three layers of webbing. Two layer would be plenty strong and probably won't be a problem

Yes, I agree, this might be it. I get tangles immediately when I forget to drop the foot.

[JohnSawyer]

Wow, lots of good advice...

My machine is a Brother something or other (LS2125 or something...), that I picked up for $30.

I did take the bobbin out, and disassemble, clean and oil the bobbin assembly per the instructions... (I've done this several times...) I've disassembled, cleaned and oiled the machine per the instructions, including the feed dogs. This machine is much easier than maintaining my '56 VW...

Bobbin tension is good, per the manual... "Friends don't let friends sew with anyting from Coats and Clark" is what I've been told... I have gutterman Polyester thread... I did use a new needle, but you may have caught me, I might have used a smaller needle... I'll try that.

Heck, I've even sewn through a cheapo sleeping bag with good success... Doing this webbing was a pain. Truthfully, the first bar-tack went well, the rest? Not so much... I'll try a narrower zig-zag, or sew a box with a straight stich.

Oh, the foot was definitely down... I learned that one early on! Anybody need some perforated Sil scraps?

THANKS!