AlZilla Report post Posted December 4, 2022 OK, I feel like this is a dumb question and the answer is staring me in the face, but here goes ... On my 111w153, the hook picks up the needle thread, it rotates around the bobbin as expected and stops dead in it's tracks when it gets back to the tab that locks under the throat plate. I can't figure out why. I found a few videos of people looping the needle/bobbin thread and it slips right around. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Some details: This is not a machine I've ever used I switched to the lightest thread I have (24) I have not had the bobbin case out I had the belt off months back for reasons I can't recall and had to re-time it. Seems I got it right, since it picks up the bobbin thread. Thank you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted December 4, 2022 Here are some items to check for. Is the top thread threaded correctly through the tension disks, around the check spring, through the take-up lever, down to the guide on the needle bar? Is the foot lift lever down so the tension disks are closed and tensioning the thread? Is the needle inserted all the way up with the rib on the left and scarf on the right? Is the timing right? The hook should arrive at the centerline of the needle about 1/16 inch above the eye after the needle has risen about 3/32 inch above BDC. Does the hook pass the needle without hitting it or pushing it to the left? If it hits, move the hook to the right and retime. Is the bobbin case opener lever pulling back far enough on the flange on the bobbin case to let the top thread pass freely around the tab on the way out? Are you holding back the starting threads for a few stitches to lock them in place? Note: Retarded timing can cause the top thread to hang or snap as it goes around the shuttle. The extra stress can bind it at the positioning tab. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlZilla Report post Posted December 4, 2022 Thank you, @Wizcrafts for giving me a trail to follow. Tomorrows tasks. I haven't gotten past the thread hanging issue to actually run any stitches yet ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted December 4, 2022 1 hour ago, AlZilla said: Thank you, @Wizcrafts for giving me a trail to follow. Tomorrows tasks. I haven't gotten past the thread hanging issue to actually run any stitches yet ... It helps that I have the very same machine in my living room at home. It needed parts and adjusting when I got it. Now, I trust it to sew commercial goods. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlZilla Report post Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) Got it. After an hour or so of checking and rechecking, I nudged the hook to the right about .010" and now it pulls the bobbin thread clear every time. Along the way, I pulled the bobbin case to see if anything was underneath (nothing there) and discovered a missing tension screw! No point in trying to run any stitches until I replace it. I have about 25 domestic machines around here dating from the 1880's to the 1970's. While I wait for a new bobbin case, are these things pretty interchangeable? Like I could scavenge a screw from something else? I don't want to start blindly pulling those tiny screws out and losing even more! Thank you, @Wizcrafts for the help1 Edited December 4, 2022 by AlZilla clarity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted December 4, 2022 You can try using a bobbin case tension spring screw from a domestic Singer machine. Maybe one will fit. Otherwise, contact an industrial sewing machine dealer. You can either buy the screw, or a new bobbin case, plus a spare screw. Maybe you want needles, thread, oil, edge guide feet, etc. Order a bunch of small items to make it worth while instead of just one or two screws (that may get lost again). Before you order, tilt the head back and look inside the oil pan under the machine. Use a magnet tool to fish around in the pan. You may find that screw! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlZilla Report post Posted December 6, 2022 That machine sat in garages and sheds for a decade or more before I got it. That screw is loooong gone. I ordered a new hook and bobbin case. Meanwhile, that screw happens to be a standard thread (#0-80). My local hardware store had some longer ones. I was able to shorten one up, after shooting a couple across the workroom with the Dremel. But, I have it back together and working. I ran a couple of stitch lines and have some obvious tension issues. I need to study up and try to isolate it so I can ask some focused questions if it doesn't work right. I'll start a new thread if I need more hand holding. Thanks for the help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Burkhardt Report post Posted December 6, 2022 1 hour ago, AlZilla said: That machine sat in garages and sheds for a decade or more before I got it. That screw is loooong gone. I ordered a new hook and bobbin case. Meanwhile, that screw happens to be a standard thread (#0-80). My local hardware store had some longer ones. I was able to shorten one up, after shooting a couple across the workroom with the Dremel. But, I have it back together and working. I ran a couple of stitch lines and have some obvious tension issues. I need to study up and try to isolate it so I can ask some focused questions if it doesn't work right. I'll start a new thread if I need more hand holding. Thanks for the help! Don't know if you have pickle fingers like me but I had a choice needing one of the little bobbin screws, The screw was 3.00 or buy the bobbin case with screw in it for 4.00. No brainer got the case and went to put the screw in old case(why, had the thread hole drilled a little bigger) and I heard 2 little bounces on counter to never to be seen again. Now I have 2 cases without screws so how you ever lost and found is amazing. Now guessing the screws are similar is there a specific section in a store where they would be found? We have a Fleet Farm (if you've ever heard of) that carries a lot of stuff but I would never start to guess what name to use to even start looking for name wise. I'm guessing really really small screws isn't a section. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlZilla Report post Posted December 6, 2022 34 minutes ago, Burkhardt said: Don't know if you have pickle fingers like me but I had a choice needing one of the little bobbin screws, The screw was 3.00 or buy the bobbin case with screw in it for 4.00. No brainer got the case and went to put the screw in old case(why, had the thread hole drilled a little bigger) and I heard 2 little bounces on counter to never to be seen again. Now I have 2 cases without screws so how you ever lost and found is amazing. Now guessing the screws are similar is there a specific section in a store where they would be found? We have a Fleet Farm (if you've ever heard of) that carries a lot of stuff but I would never start to guess wit in a hat name to use to even start looking for name wise. I'm guessing really really small screws isn't a section. Oh, I never found either of them - I bought 8 screws to start with. I'm surprised it only took 3 tries! The screws are just stainless steel "pan head" screws. Right in the section with all the screws, nuts and bolts. I ended up holding one in a small vice grips and gently grinding it on the bench grinder. If you have a different machine, you'll need to look up the part number of the screw. Then check the size and pitch here: https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/screw_threads Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlZilla Report post Posted December 6, 2022 (edited) The pan head screw does not work. The original one is a slotted flat head because there's not much clearance between the hook and the bobbin case. It rotated fine until I needed to back it out to decrease bobbin tension, then it binds. I suppose I could pull it out and reshape the head. But another hour or so of screwing around isn't worth the effort. Too bad, I was >this< close to having the tension balanced ... Edited December 6, 2022 by AlZilla Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted December 6, 2022 54 minutes ago, AlZilla said: The pan head screw does not work. The original one is a slotted flat head because there's not much clearance between the hook and the bobbin case. It rotated fine until I needed to back it out to decrease bobbin tension, then it binds. I suppose I could pull it out and reshape the head. But another hour or so of screwing around isn't worth the effort. Too bad, I was >this< close to having the tension balanced ... Just thought I'd jump in here & let you know we have these screws in stock. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted December 7, 2022 9 hours ago, CowboyBob said: Just thought I'd jump in here & let you know we have these screws in stock. It sounds like he kit-bashed a farm supplies store screw into the bobbin case. If true, the threads may be ruined for the proper tension screw and he might need a complete bobbin case. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlZilla Report post Posted December 7, 2022 9 hours ago, Wizcrafts said: It sounds like he kit-bashed a farm supplies store screw into the bobbin case. If true, the threads may be ruined for the proper tension screw and he might need a complete bobbin case. Not at all. The thread is #0-80. I just shortened it. If it were a flathead I'd be in business. A. new hook and case will be here in a day or two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
