Can a worn case/hook prevent adjustment of case opener lever.

[beefy]

I've been trying to adjust the case opener on my newly acquired Singer 211G156.

If I adjust the case opener so that it pulls the case back to allow the thread to pass on the forward side of the case tab, the problem is that when the thread comes around the case and needs to pass between the case opener and the case, the gap there is not large enough to let the thread pass freely.

If I adjust the case opener so the thread can can pass freely between the case opener and the case, then the opening of the gap on the forward side of the case tab is then not large enough. 

I can get one gap or the other large enough, but not both. Make one large enough the other closes up too much.

It's almost as though the cam that operates the case opener is not made correctly, and the case opener "lets go" of the case way too late. Once it "lets go" the gap eventually gets quite large.

The only other thing I can think of is that the case has some play/rock/wobble in the hook, so I'm guessing there's some wear. Could this cause the above problem.

Edited January 14 by beefy

[CowboyBob]

2 hours ago, beefy said:

I've been trying to adjust the case opener on my newly acquired Singer 211G156.

If I adjust the case opener so that it pulls the case back to allow the thread to pass on the forward side of the case tab, the problem is that when the thread comes around the case and needs to pass between the case opener and the case, the gap there is not large enough to let the thread pass freely.

If I adjust the case opener so the thread can can pass freely between the case opener and the case, then the opening of the gap on the forward side of the case tab is then not large enough. 

I can get one gap or the other large enough, but not both. Make one large enough the other closes up too much.

It's almost as though the cam that operates the case opener is not made correctly, and the case opener "lets go" of the case way too late. Once it "lets go" the gap eventually gets quite large.

The only other thing I can think of is that the case has some play/rock/wobble in the hook, so I'm guessing there's some wear. Could this cause the above problem.

How much play does the arm have that the opener fastens to?BTW it only needs to barely open just alittle,you could be trying for too much.

[Wizcrafts]

7 hours ago, beefy said:

I've been trying to adjust the case opener on my newly acquired Singer 211G156.

If I adjust the case opener so that it pulls the case back to allow the thread to pass on the forward side of the case tab, the problem is that when the thread comes around the case and needs to pass between the case opener and the case, the gap there is not large enough to let the thread pass freely.

I have the same machine. It could be that you are trying to run a thread size that is bigger than the machine is rated for. That would be #138 (T135) bonded thread.

[beefy]

6 hours ago, CowboyBob said:

How much play does the arm have that the opener fastens to?BTW it only needs to barely open just alittle,you could be trying for too much.

That's exactly it, I'm trying micro adjustments until the thread can just get through but then the other side has too little. I would like to have much larger clearance gaps but don't have that luxury.

There is a little bit of play in the arm but not much. However, you've made me ponder something. I should check the play at various rotational positions of the hook to see if this play varies. It appears this machine was not well maintained and had more dry dust than oil, so I wonder if the cam that operates the case opener arm could be worn.
I can also see the case actually tilt towards the hook sometimes as the thread pulls through, further indicating wear in the hook/case.

[beefy]

1 hour ago, Wizcrafts said:

I have the same machine. It could be that you are trying to run a thread size that is bigger than the machine is rated for. That would be #138 (T135) bonded thread.

Using V138. I listened to the advice yourself and other gave in a previous thread and decides not to go any thicker with my machines.

Thanks for the help guys.
I might just buy a new hook/case and see if that helps. That will at least prove/disprove my theory of wear in the hook's cam, or the race of the hook/case. 

Edited January 14 by beefy

[friquant]

Can you post a very slow, close-up  video of the latch area as you move the handwheel by hand? (Keeping the handwheel in a forward snail's pace the whole time---not letting it stop or go backward, that way the thread going round the bobbin is taut the whole time)

I'm curious to see the "latch closes too late" business. I remember having that on a machine, but I don't remember which one.

[beefy]

On 1/16/2026 at 2:14 PM, friquant said:

Can you post a very slow, close-up  video of the latch area as you move the handwheel by hand? (Keeping the handwheel in a forward snail's pace the whole time---not letting it stop or go backward, that way the thread going round the bobbin is taut the whole time)

I'm curious to see the "latch closes too late" business. I remember having that on a machine, but I don't remember which one.

Hi Friquant,

sorry for the late reply, I thought no more posts were coming to this thread. No email notifications have came to me, and I've only just seen your reply.

I'll make a video tomorrow.

My new hook arrived today and wow, what a difference as far as wear goes.
The case on the new hook has very little play within the hook so I'd say the huge amount of wear in the existing hook/case may be a big contributor to the problem.

[AlZilla]

16 hours ago, beefy said:

No email notifications have came to me, and I've only just seen your reply.

Somewhere in your settings, you can set it up to email you notifications. I'll look later on today and maybe we need to make a post on how to fix that. Evidently it's not the default.

EDIT: it's a simple matter to "fix" the notifications.

Desktop
Click on the drop down next to your User Name (Top/Right)
Account Settings
Other Settings | Notification Settings
Mentions & My Content
Click "Email"for both notifications

Android
Click Menu on top/right
Account Settings
Other Settings | Notification Settings
Mentions & My Content
Click "Email"for both notifications

[friquant]

5 hours ago, AlZilla said:

Evidently it's not the default.

Can we make "notify by email when someone replies to a topic I created" the default for new users?

[friquant]

7 hours ago, beefy said:

The case on the new hook has very little play within the hook so I'd say the huge amount of wear in the existing hook/case may be a big contributor to the problem.

Looking  forward to this!