Teaj26 Report post Posted August 10, 2022 I have purchased an extremely clean Nakajima 280L machine. The machine sews fantastic and the upper thread and bobbin tension are set correctly. However, when a seam is finished and the foot is raised and you go to pull the thread out to clip, it will not pull out smoothly unless you wiggle the hand wheel back and forth. This is very annoying, and I was curious if anyone had insight as to what to check for the fix. I do not think this is normal as I have never seen anyone have to do this. They just pull the material and snip it. This machine literally has a hard snag when you pull it, yet it sews fine. Thanks for any help. This is my first machine and I am clueless. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylonRigging Report post Posted August 11, 2022 On a stitch when needle is down, and you stop sewing . If you just lift needle from the material and try to freely draw the upper/needles thread . It not going to go even with you letting off thread tension . . ( just my guess ? ) .. When you stopped with needle plunged threw your material . Move your needles cycle with the hand wheel, up and past top of stroke and on it's way n the down-stroke, then Stop . You should be able to pull the top thread freely when tension is released . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teaj26 Report post Posted August 11, 2022 I see what you are saying. The needle was up and not in a stitch, but the threads would still not pull out freely without wiggling the handwheel. I decided to investigate further yesterday. I removed the bobbin, and disassembled the bobbin case. The portion of the case where the tensioner is, was the issue I think. Between the tensioner piece and the case, it was very dirty and very rough. I cleaned and polished these areas and put the case back together and readjusted the tension for the bobbin. It now pulls out smoothly. I assume it was the rough and dirty area where the thread runs through that was causing it to catch. A simple 5 minute clean job and it appears to be good as new. I think this could also prevent stitch issues caused by the bobbin thread not pulling thru smoothly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted August 11, 2022 Juki bought Nakajima about 20 plus years ago. They renamed it the DU-241H. You can get manuals for it on line or on the Juki web site. Thread will not release unless take up lever is at its highest point. glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlainaZ Report post Posted August 12, 2022 (edited) Is there a tension-release pin? I am not familiar with this particular model. Even if there was originally a tension release pin some people remove it, particularly for leather sewing. To test if this is the problem try manually holding apart the tension disks while you pull Edited August 12, 2022 by AlainaZ Added a suggestion Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
