Hook And Bobbin Kinda Loose And Wobbley

[CustomDoug]

I've noted to myself several times that the hook and bobbin assembly on my Consew model 18 is rather loose fitting... enough so that I think to myself "is it supposed to be that loose?" . This machine can be a little inconsistent with it's bottom thread tension... occasionally it will pull tight on one or two stitches (not sink into the middle of the leather in one or two places). Are these two things related by chance? I haven't taken the hook assembly out yet to have a good look around but is there common items that wear out that might cause this loose fit? I doubt the bobbin case would wear out, and besides the hook it loose when there's no bobbin installed - perhaps it's the hook itself? Or is it perfectly normal for this area to have a good amount of play to it? Are there other symptoms that this might cause (I have difficulty with the first stitch not being tight with this particular machine)? TIA! ~ Doug

Edited March 7, 2012 by CustomDoug

[CowboyBob]

Doug,

Yes,this is a common problem,I think people forget to oil the hook & race as often as they should & the race is cast iron & it will wear causing it to be loose.

Bob

[CustomDoug]

Is there a trick in figuring out which is at fault, separately they both seem fine.

[CowboyBob]

Usually the race wears,it's cast iron.The hook is chrome steel & doesn't hardly wear,the tip can get damaged though.

Bob

[CustomDoug]

Usually the race wears,it's cast iron.The hook is chrome steel & doesn't hardly wear,the tip can get damaged though.

Bob

Thanks Bob, when you said cast iron I was thinking of skillets and even vintage treadles, but of course the race is not like that at all. I tightened up the one big screw (forked metal holder thing) on the back of the race and tried a new bobbin case and that seems to have tightened the whole assembly up a little. I will put a new race on my list of things I need to get soon. Thanks gain ~ Doug