Singer 111W155 Tension Issue

[TomG]

OK.. I do NOT have enough hair left to go much further with this.

I posted a thread a while back about my machine and the J-hook issues.

Well, I did bite the bullet and had a local "top notch" shop install it and adjust it. The had a sample with 20+ stitch runs without issue, under the needle when I got the head back.

I got it home and loaded up some 138 and tried it on a couple of pieces of 3oz put together and it bunched up..

I figured, OK, they used 69 and maybe the top tension needed to be tweaked.

No matter what I do, it bunches up UNLESS I grab the thread tag ends and pull some tension on them for the first 2-3 stitches. Then it's fine. I have adjusted the tension from sloppy loose to OMG tight and it will still not sew without bunching those first stitches.

Knowing my luck it's probably something simple and stupid, but who knows?

Taking it back right now is not my first choice - I was bad and have let it stay here for a few months without saying anything to them. I doubt they will do anything about it without another $100+ shop checkout charge. My fault, of course.

Anyone have any clues as to where to look or what to try?

The pictures with the bunching are without tension on the ends of the thread and the "normal" ones are if I pull back on the ends.

Tom

Edited June 11, 2012 by TomG

[amuckart]

1339450262[/url]' post='252174']

No matter what I do, it bunches up UNLESS I grab the thread tag ends and pull some tension on them for the first 2-3 stitches.

that's normal sewing machine behaviour. You have to hold the threads so that the take up lever pulls the lowe loop tight.

[Wizcrafts]

Every sewing machine in my possession has to have the threads held back for a few stitches. Failure to do so causes exactly the result you are seeing.

[TomG]

Every sewing machine in my possession has to have the threads held back for a few stitches. Failure to do so causes exactly the result you are seeing.

OK.. Thanks. I never knew that. I know my wife's home machine never had that issue with fabric, so we assumed the commercial machine was the same.

It really knocks out my confidence in our - not one - but 2 local repair places/techs that I discussed this at length with.

But if that's what it take, so be it.

I DO have a feeling it might be the combo of leather/ needles/ thread. When we first got this machine, we were primarily using it to sew up folding chair backs after embroidering them. I don't recall having that issue with it on those. But it's been a while, so I could be just having senior forgetfulness.

I appreciate all of the help.

And to all who are looking for a machine and piecing it together... Be SURE to get a GOOD servo motor with small pulley.

I find that I like to sew REAL slow on smaller items or when close to an edge. My servo is a Consew 3/4 HP and the only issue I've seen is that at the very lowest end of the speed range, it doesn't have the torque to go through the leather for the first couple of stitches without help on the handwheel. Speeding up just a hair eliminates the problem.

But also, at those low speeds, I don't have a lot of speed control with the foot treadle.

Lessons learned on buying a used machine from all of this???

1) take some product you want to sew when buying a machine.

2) Make sure they have the needle/thread that you will need to use.

3) If you buy it, video the seller doing a threading, top and bottom.

4) is anything has to be dismantled, take lots of pictures (learn by helping someone reassemble theirs.

5) Read.. Read... Read.. Ask questions .

Thanks to everyone for all of their help on this.

Tom

[Wizcrafts]

I find that many vertical axis shuttle machines can start sewing without holding back the threads, but horizontal axis shuttles cannot. Hold back the threads for a few stitches, or until you backtack over the starting stitch

For example, I don't need to hold back the threads on my Singer 66-1, or my Janome New Home embroidery machine, my Kenmore 158.19142, or my Singer 29k172 patcher, all of which have vertical axis bobbins. I do have to hold the threads back on my Singer 15-91 and 31-15 (both class 15 machines), on my National walking foot, my Cowboy CB4500 and my Union Lockstitch machine.

The thread holding or not holding procedure seems to be dependent on the geometry of the shuttle.