Cole Report post Posted March 13, 2014 I bought an Artisan 618-1sc and im at my witts end trying to figure out how to thread it and how to adjust the tension correctly. is there anyone out there who can help me ??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) Heres a link to the manual, it shows how to thread it. http://www.artisansew.com/pdf/manuals/exisiting/618SCmanual.pdf Once you get it threaded and want to change colors tie your new color to the old one and pull it through so you don't have to thread it everytime. Edited March 13, 2014 by dirtclod Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cole Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Thanks dirtclod. I have this manual but unfortunately it is like reading chinese to me . The diagrams are rather bunched and lacking. I am a visual learner or show me. Directions have always confused me... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Maybe this will help? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pounder Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Cowboy Bob Would you have one of those for a Cowboy 227R, I am having the same problem Cole? The instructions the manufacturer provides for these machines are horrible, love the machine though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted March 13, 2014 The 227R uses the same threading as above,very common to alot of different models of machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cole Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Thanks cowboy bob. On the upper tension disk there is a notch on the artisan that i was told to go over. We will see.. next issue. I was using 138 thread with the bobbin and needle and i was practicing on probably 2 oz leather. When i sewed there was a tiny visible not on the bottom so i changed the bobbin thread to 69 and now the loop is on the top... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted March 13, 2014 If the knot is on top there's too much top tension on my machine. I'll pull the top and bottom threads by hand and I have a little more bottom (bobbin)tension than top tension but they're pretty close to being the same. I leave the bobbin tension alone and just adjust the top tension when I have a problem like you are experiencing. Knot on the bottom, tighten the top tension, knot on the top, decrease top tension. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cole Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Ill try that tree reaper... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Try pulling on your bobbin thread, if it pulls at roughly five or six pounds of pull you should be in the ball park so you can match your top tension to that and then adjust the top tension from there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted March 13, 2014 IMHO 138 on 2 ounce leather is to heavy. Try some 69 thread and see what happens, or try the 138 on the 2 ounce doubled and see what happens. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cole Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Dirtclod i ran 138 on top and 69 on bottom its a mess Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Size 138 (T135) bonded thread is best used in 1/8 inch of leather. Under that, I recommend #92 into 4-7 ounces, or #69 into 2 - 4 ounces. It is foolhardy to mix 138 on top and 69 in the bobbin. It makes no sense at all and is pert near impossible to balance the knots. If you only need 10 or 11 pounds breaking strength, just use #69, top and bottom, with a #16 or #18 needle. If you need more strength in thin leather, try #92 thread using a #19 or 20 needle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cole Report post Posted March 14, 2014 I used the 138 that came with the machine. Andwas still having trouble. Im not educated on thread or needles is there a resource to help me with it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted March 14, 2014 This is a chart from Bob's site. http://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted March 14, 2014 The chart that Tree Reaper linked to is an excellent guide for matching thread to needles. In your case, since the machine came with #138 bonded thread, it should also have #23 (Metric 160) needles with it. You should wind some #138 onto a bobbin and try again. #138 thread, top and bottom, is best sewn with a #23 needle. If you are sewing leather, a leather point needle works best. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cole Report post Posted March 14, 2014 Thanks tree reaper...im gonna print this .... Thanks tree reaper...im gonna print this .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted March 14, 2014 I want to make a correction on the thread tension. Today I measured the tension using a trigger gauge which is relatively accurate and these are the measurements. Combined leather thickness is 7 oz. Top thread tension out of the needle is 8 oz. Bobbin thread tension is 2.5 lbs. This is with 138 thread. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted March 14, 2014 I want to make a correction on the thread tension. Bobbin thread tension is 2.5 lbs. 2.5 lbs. bottom tension.JPG I assume you mean oz. instead of lbs? Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted March 14, 2014 No it's pounds, two and a half. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cole Report post Posted March 17, 2014 I finally got some pics to load to show yall some of my problems. He white thread is 138 and the black is 69. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted March 17, 2014 I´d try a needle 1 or 2 sizes larger than the one you are using atm. Larger needles punch slightly larger holes so that may solve your problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
