Singer 31-15 needle broke, bobbin case problem?

[horselady21]

Hi! My recently-purchased 31-15 has been sewing great, and I was sewing some thinner goatskin last night when the needle jammed against the bobbin case (I think that is what it was) and broke off. The speed had gotten away from me for a second, so I am wondering if the bobbin just couldn't keep up. Then, in the process of rethreading,etc, I broke off a piece of the bobbin hook (thing the bobbin spool rides in), and ordered a new one. Do you think I need to check the needle timing? Any help appreciated!

[Constabulary]

Could be that your needle hit the needle plate. I´d check the needle bar hight / hook needle timing when you have re assembled everything. You probably have to lower the needle bar a little bit. I think you mean the bobbin case (thing the bobbin rides in)

[horselady21]

Thanks for your fast reply, and help!

If I lower the needle bar, wouldn't that make it worse? More chance of needle hitting? And the part I bought on ebay is called a bobbin hook. I would call it a case, too!

[Constabulary]

Maybe I dind´t get you...  You only have to lower the needle bar when the hit was so hard that the clamped needle bar moved up a bit (needle hook timing thrown off) This has nothing to do with the reason why the needle hit the plate or bobbin case.

 

[horselady21]

Oh, ok, I understand now. It was a pretty big hit so I will check it once I get it reassembled. So you think the needle hit because of the overspeed?

[Constabulary]

Only the operator knows - this just happens sometimes. I also broke a bunch on needles, Sometimes because I pushed the material too much or made a wired material turn (needle bent and hit the needle plate), too thick needle for too small needle hole, hard spot in the material, hit a piece of hardware (rivet, buckle...)... there are several reasons why a needle could brake.