Cowboy 3200 - Top Thread Looping In Bobbin Area And Getting Stuck

[tirini]

Just got this machine lightly used from a local store. I tested it out at the store where they had it working fine.

Threaded it up, made sure the bobbin was spinning the right direction and my needle is threaded properly. I'm using #138 thread on a #23 needle, didn't change anything as how it came.

I see that the top thread is getting wrapped around the bobbin area and then causes the machine to jam.

[dbusarow]

Hold the top thread tight for the first few stitches. That should take care of the problem.

[TinkerTailor]

edit>If holding the thread does not work...

First thing i would do is pull out the bobbin and hook and clean it really good. Then feel for burrs. That thing sure looks like it was really dirty and someone just gave it a wipe. Sometimes these spot cleanings will free up gunk that then gets caught somewhere else and causes things like thread jams. Clean machines are generally happier.

Edited February 13, 2016 by TinkerTailor

[Wizcrafts]

In addition to holding back the starting threads, make sure that there is enough top tension to pull the lockstitches up into the bottom layer. The top tension is not guaranteed to be consistent unless the thread has some resistance before going around the upper disks. I have literally watched twisty black thread pop out of the top tension disks because I ran it straight through the top guide post, instead of around and through a second hole.

Non-twisty white thread can be run straight through if desired. Just make sure that the little steel loop thread guide under the top tension disks is as far down as it can go without getting hit by the separator link that comes up when you lift the feet manually, or via the lift pedal. The greater the angle on the thread around the disks, the less likelihood of it popping out of them.