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I know that most operators of sewing machines newer use instruments to measure the thread tension. They have learned some way of feeling the right tension. But perhaps a few in this forum actually do measure their bobbin thread tension. I often change thread size in my machines, and I use a spring dynamometer to adjust the bobbin tension every time. I measure it direct from bobbin case or vertical up from the needle plate hole. You can get specialized instrumentation for sewing machines, but it will normally be more expensive than a simple spring dynamometer (Price $3) designed for use in schools. I have used google to search for information. For domestic sewing machines for garment, I find a recommandations to a tension of 0.2 - 0.5N (0.04 - 0.1 lbsF). In this leatherworker forum I did find these two links with a tiny amount of information: Here one person use 11 N or 2.5 lbsF for V138 thread, which in my opinion seems a very high tension. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/54237-sewing-machine-set-up-problems-at-witts-end/?tab=comments#comment-347489 And in this link 4.5 N or 1 lbsF for a presumable V277 thread: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/31327-boss-is-here/?tab=comments#comment-229798 I normally use 0.5 N or 0.1 lbsF for a V138 thread (Serafil 20). Occationally I increase it to 1.0 N when I like the thread to lay down better and look more nice. For a Serafil 40 or V69 thread I use 0.4 N.

My issue I need help with: I keep seeing the bottom thread pull to the top. basically flush with the top surface. Equipment specs: CB3200 Thread - 138 & 207 (I explain why the two) Needle 19/120 or 23/160 Leather thickness: I'm needing to use on oil tanned leather that at a minimum is about 7oz. thick. I've tried tightening the bobbin tension to almost the max and have loosened the top to see if the bottom will help pull it down further. The two needle sizes and thread sizes are what I'm having issues with since I'm trying to sew thinner leather. The 277 thread and 25/200 needle which corresponds to the thicker leather my machine can do is no problem. Is what I'm trying to sew just too thin for this machine? I notice on 10-18oz thick it does fine and pulls center within the leather. Thanks in advance

Hey everyone, I've been stumped with an issue with the tension on my Juki 1541-S for a while now. I was hoping one of the experts here would be able to help me. For context, I'm sewing mostly 15 oz waxed canvas, anywhere from 2-6 layers, using v-92 thread. Basically, the knots from each stitch are visible on the bottom of the seam. From everything I understand, this means I either need to tighten the top tension or loosen the bobbin tension, or both. The problem is that when I loosen the bobbin tension to the point that the knots are no longer visible there becomes visible loops on the bottom of the seam. If I keep the bobbin thread just tight enough that there's no loops and just tighten the top tension until the knots are no longer visible, I have to tighten it so much that the fabric actually bends as I'm sewing, as it gets pulled by the top tension being so much higher than the bottom. I'm sure there's a stupid mistake that I'm making, but I'm not sure what. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I bought a used consew 229 post bed and don't know how to remove the bobbins case so I could adjust the thread tension .There must aslo be a similar post bed sewing machine .

Brought my 30-1 home this past Thursday. According to the lady I bought it from it had originally been used by a cobbler making orthopedic shoes and the like. The cobbler, in his early nineties and too old to continue his work, sold the machine on to the lady who said she didn't get to working with it and decided to sell it on.... After settling on $200 with me she mentioned she had payed $150. Before buying the machine I looked it over as best as any first time buyer could. I had spent time reading the manual, browsing this forum and other relevant sites on the internet. Machine looked to be complete, movement seemed tight and clean. Machine came with treadle table, some (seemingly original) tools and a collection of threads, bobbins and needles.... really looked like it had just been removed from the old man's shop. Spent the Friday morning (surface) cleaning the machine, acquainting myself with parts and working movement and finally sliding a piece of vegtan on under that walking foot to see just exactly what this baby could do. The machine came ready to go... bobbin loaded and spool of thread on the pin and fed through to the needle. The first few stitches went in seemingly well and I was excited... but then it all went south. The needle and bobbin threads weren't locking in the material. The needle thread was being released on the material and the bobbin thread just kept looping up with each stitch..... according to the manual a case of "excessive needle thread tension". I started tweaking the nut regulating the tension disks. I had noticed that the disks loosen their grip when the sewing foot lifting lever is in the raised position so I made sure to lift the lever before each tweak. Since then I have run through almost all of the thread that came with the machine and all of my scrap leather trying to get a few good stitches from this machine. I have seen the "excessive needle thread tension" and the "insufficient needle thread tension" but and more than five or ten decent stitches in all the yards of thread I have seen pass. My final attempt was to loosen the tension nut as far as I could while keeping thread on the pin (maximal tension) and start sewing to stop every ten or so stitches to raise the sewing foot lifting lever and tighten the nut half a turn (reducing tension) until the max. finger tightness. Logically I have trouble wrapping my head around the concept that tighter disks offer less tension but whatever the case... ain't no good stitches coming out from under that sewing foot any which way. Needle thread catches bobbin thread on every stitch and stitch spacing is fine, everything seems to work but this. Upside is that I now have an intimate knowledge of the machine... I can thread needle and bobbin blindfolded. I can run that treadle as smooth as the best electro-motor. I can dump a load of thread straight and true in holes along the edge of my work and do the same with 90 degree corners and log flowing lines. But now I really want to get to the real work. Help!

Ok, I have a Consew 226r-2. Had great even thread tension when I first got it, had it set up in my garage. It had been used mainly for Upholstery jobs prior to my getting it. Then when I moved it into my house ( sewing in an unheated garage when the temps are 50F and under, wasn't going to happen, and now we've been -38F a few mornings i'm glad i brought it in) but i digress.. since i brought it in i've been having tension issues. thought i had it sorted out, but was wrong. When i stitch 95% of the time the bottom threads loop is showing on the topside. once in a rare while it will be just right and the knot won't show top or bottom, but as i said that is rare! I've read the manual multiple times, gone through all the adjustments for tension for both top and bobbin.. and still no love. I can pull the bobbin thread and there is almost no resistance at all... I'm just at a loss at what to do to figure it out. I attached a couple pictures. the one on the dark leather is how the stitch looks most of the time, the spur straps show it doing it's sometimes nice, sometimes off stitch, and then the other pale leather is the one time it seemed to be stitching just right...

Hello, I just got my first industrial sewing machine, a consew 206rb-5. Im using #69 nylon thread and 135x16 needles. I just got my tension to where my stiches are balanced but the needle tension is so tight that I can't pull the top thead without first pulling some slack after the spool pin scew. The spool pin screw is the source of the super tightness. I've never had to tighten the tension on machine this much before and im worried I'm doing it wrong/gonna hurt her parts some how. Can someone reassure me that this is correct or point me in the right direction of how tight the tension should be? Thanks everybody!