Tension Issues Always Seem To Be From Using The Wrong Needle Size!?

[Gregspitz]

Just venting here and maybe helping some newbies..

I have had a techsew 2750pro and love it for 2 years now

any time I do a new set up usually with thinner leather 4-6oz and a thin liner for watch straps or even doing wallets it seems that if I just can't get the knot to settle in the middle with all the adjustments top and bottom I change to a (usually for me) smaller needle i.e. 69 thread top and bottom 18 titanium needle changing to a 16 and voila! problem solved.

I don't know if anyone else finds this the most common problem or maybe it has just been me being stubborn to change a needle when 18 should work!!!!

any comments welcome of course

thanks

Greg

[Wizcrafts]

The #18/110 needle must make a hole with just a little too much clearance for the lockstitch knots to settle into a happy place. The smaller hole made by a #16 needle makes for tighter knots that are easier to place.

What causes this variance?

The entire upper thread path affects the repeat-ability of knot placement in leather (or any material). If the thread uncoils differently every other turn, the upper tension changes. If the thread moves up inside the tension disks, there is a variation. If the speed changes in a jerky fashion, the knots will move.

The bobbin can also affect the position of the knots. A stub of thread left sticking out the hole in the bobbin might rub against something once per revolution, or the thread may unwind unevenly, throwing off your knots. Try to figure out what is changing most often and see if it can be remedied.