Carrieanna1172 Report post Posted February 1, 2015 Anyone hazard a guess as to why my thread is shredding? I have changed thread sizes loosened the tension? Tightened it back up It happened the first time with some thread I bought from tandy thought maybe it was the wrong or not bonded kind so I changed back to the thread I purchased with the machine It appeared to be happening at the upper tension disk at first but now it looks like it is happening at the needle? Very frustrating ? I am sewing about 5 oz oil tan (called Kodak) leather the majority is double thickness as much as 4 layers? Not that this matters it tends to happen at just 2 layers? a size 18 needle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted February 1, 2015 You didn't say what size your thread is. First, you should make sure the thread is the correct size for the needle or vice versa. ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carrieanna1172 Report post Posted February 1, 2015 One was by 69 from Tandy and This one now is 92 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Craw Report post Posted February 1, 2015 I'm not much more talented with a sewing machine than I am with a computer, so this may not be the best advice you get, but the first (cheap) trick I'd try is just replacing the needle. If it still frays, you might check the point of the shuttle hook to make sure there are no burrs. In my case it's an "old dog - new trick" kind of thing, but my Cobra 4 is teaching me all sorts of new stuff. Hope this helps. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted February 1, 2015 Mike gave you some good advice. Since you have the issue with different spools, it's likely NOT the thread (though not a guarantee there yet). So, if not the thread, change the needle. If not the needle, check the hook for 'boogers' (or cleanliness - sometimes just a build up of "fluff' from the thread). One more issue, a #18 needle might be pushing it with 92 thread (though certainly fine for the 69 thread). I have a short ( a few seconds ) video showing the hook / bobbin area on a cobra. Reason I mention it here, it shows (slowly) the action in there. You can see, then, that the top (needle) thread drops below (around) the hook to form the stitch. As Mike says, a 'booger' on the hook assembly can nick the thread -- and then when the take-up lever pulls it back up it APPEARS that the damage is being done at the needle (which, it isn't always). Long-winded, maybe I should just show the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7MVSikaYEk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carrieanna1172 Report post Posted February 1, 2015 All good advice I put the bigger thread in hoping it would help because it had never happened until I used that smaller Tandy thread Anyway apparently it was not the thread I changed the needle and I will put in a new spool of thread in the 69 I also cleaned all the little spots and places the thread runs through Hope this help ! Thanks for the advice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lws380 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 When I had shredding it came from the shuttle hook. I removed and buffed the point with green rouge on a soft buffing wheel. Reinstalled and shredding was gone. If doesn't take much of a burr to cause shredding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted February 25, 2015 The only time I experienced some shedding, I didn't have the needle perfectly aligned it was close. I made a tool that fits in the eye and then I can tell if it's perfectly aligned. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carrieanna1172 Report post Posted February 25, 2015 I fixed it by turning the needle a tiny bit And I cleaned the bobbin area really good but I think on this machine it has to have the needle turned With the eye slightly towards me also to pick up the bobbin thread correctly Anyway it is working perfectly now Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverwingit Report post Posted March 22, 2015 Good idea on the tool, Chief! (No surprise. ) Can you describe it or sow us a picture? Thanks (again), Michelle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted March 23, 2015 Good idea on the tool, Chief! (No surprise. ) Can you describe it or sow us a picture? Thanks (again), Michelle Michelle, I found a "jeweler's Flat Tip screw driver" that fits the eye really snug without damaging the eye. I insert the blade in the eye lightly then turn the end of the screw driver until it is perfectly aligned. I would rather find a plastic one and have been on the lookout, any thing with a flat surface the size of the eye and with an end you can use as an indicator and to adjust as necessary, hope that helps, if I get a chance in the next couple of days, I'll take a picture of it. Thanks, Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
