Consew 255 tension issue

[TomG]

I had this happen once when I had the bobbin installed the wrong way.  Check it like MikeSC said.

 

[MADMAX22]

The thread guide on top is fine to run it thru, I do on my 211 and 111 without issue. 

The bobbin being installed with the thread going the wrong way will cause this issue. Had this same issue when I got my 211 years ago and tried to follow the singer explanation on how to install it. Needless to say I didnt get it quit right lol. 

Did you happen to take the same leather with you when you test sewed on the machine? 

[NCArcher]

I have a Consew 226R. I have been inserting the bobbin the wrong way, apparently. I've watched a couple of youtube videos with some saying make a 'P' with the bobbin and some saying make a '9'.

I think I took the advice of the 'P' proponents and have been installing that way. It has been sewing fine. I just reversed it and sewed several different thicknesses of leather and it still seems to be sewing ok.

It is currently installed with the thread and bobbin making a '9'. The bobbin rotates CW as you pull thread off.

It doesn't seem to matter if the bobbin is backwards as long as it goes under the tension spring after passing through the slot on the case.

arich, it looks like you have no top tension. The small pin that releases the tension when you raise the presser foot may be stuck.

[RockyAussie]

I would say that the thread is around the top tension discs and not between. This is easily done and not uncommon. NCArcher could be correct about the pin being stuck but sometimes the discs don't open up much when you are threading up and it it is very easy to overlook. When you are sure it is between the discs and down to the needle, pull the thread and tighten the tensionuntill it becomes a bit hard to pull.I should say with the presser feet down first. As it is I would guess it is easy to pull.

[mikesc]

5 hours ago, MADMAX22 said:

The thread guide on top is fine to run it thru, I do on my 211 and 111 without issue. 

Yep it can work fine, but, when you have a problem like the OP it is better to eliminate all that is not necessary, the top guide ( like the guide just before the tension discs ) is only there to try straighten / relax out any kinks in the thread kinks and isn't there to add tension , although it does add a little, if there are any burrs or worn edges or tracks on these guides then when the thread pulls through them it can do so unevenly, leading to problems that cannot be rectified by adjustments further along the thread path, same way as if the thread is not coming off the spool smoothly ( due to maybe it being stuck with grease or dirt , if the spool is old and has been left uncovered ) or maybe it has been dropped or squashed, all the adjustments in the world further along the thread path won't fix a problem at or near to the beginning, so eliminate what you don't need, you can always add it back through the top thread guide later if you want.

 

5 hours ago, NCArcher said:

I have a Consew 226R. I have been inserting the bobbin the wrong way, apparently. I've watched a couple of youtube videos with some saying make a 'P' with the bobbin and some saying make a '9'.

I think I took the advice of the 'P' proponents and have been installing that way. It has been sewing fine. I just reversed it and sewed several different thicknesses of leather and it still seems to be sewing ok.

It is currently installed with the thread and bobbin making a '9'. The bobbin rotates CW as you pull thread off.

It doesn't seem to matter if the bobbin is backwards as long as it goes under the tension spring after passing through the slot on the case.

arich, it looks like you have no top tension. The small pin that releases the tension when you raise the presser foot may be stuck.

Running the thread like a "P", you can get lucky and it will work many times, but when you do you are adding tension at the bottom ( because the thread is folded back on itself as it goes under the thread tension spring ) that is not controllable via the thread tension spring on the bobbin..Doing so will also abrade your thread on the edge of the hole below the tension spring as it pulls around that hole, makes fro dust and fluff, which can cause problems eventually, and with thicker stiffer thread the thread may just begin blocking up and causing problems at the bottom end..The only thing that is supposed to add tension on the bobbin case is the tension spring, not pulling the thread round a tight corner as it exits the bobbin case just as it goes under the tension applied by the tension spring.

 

4 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

I would say that the thread is around the top tension discs and not between. This is easily done and not uncommon. NCArcher could be correct about the pin being stuck but sometimes the discs don't open up much when you are threading up and it it is very easy to overlook. When you are sure it is between the discs and down to the needle, pull the thread and tighten the tensionuntill it becomes a bit hard to pull.I should say with the presser feet down first. As it is I would guess it is easy to pull.

Yeah, I figured that the problem might be that the thread is not going between the tension discs, or is not far enough down between them, hence why I posted the second video, it shows the tension discs better than the usual" flat"on" view..I'd be surprised if the pin that releases the top tension discs pressure is sticking, but you never know..The lower take up spring control position may even be a "little off" too, but getting the thread path correct is the best starting point before going on to "tweaks".

Given that I think this is the machine that the OP arich got from her / his ?* "Dad" ( *the avatar pics in any forum, are not always  guide as to what the actual the poster looks like, or their gender ) ..the simplest solution would be for her** Dad to drop by and set it up for her, as it was running when he had it and when it left him..even if he never used it for leather, he would have had to have the thread path correct and "balanced tension" to use it for stitching textiles...

**I'm going with "her" so as to simplify posting, arich's profile is still woefully lacking in detail as to gender, location etc..but a pretty girl's picture on a profile will usually get more help than one of us grizzled old guys ;)..my wife says that Eric ( gottaknow's ) profile pic looks more like me than my passport does. ..and arich's current pic looks like my wife..she said, "you have to try to help her, she looks just like me***"..only she said it in French.

***Like many, she is not really aware of how the interwebs work and she has never touched a sewing machine,( other than to stub her toe on one of mine as she tries to get past it ) nor does she wish to, thinks they are "clever", but no interest in sewing , nor learning how.

Edited October 11, 2016 by mikesc

[Northmount]

Similar machine to what I use, but ...

If I had such a mess on the bottom, would have made a huge birds nest and jammed the machine solid.  So I am wondering if part of the problem here is the safety clutch needs to be reset.  Timing and probably bottom feed would be inconsistent.  This is purely a guess but maybe worthwhile to check.

Tom

 

[Northmount]

According to the IP address, the OP is located in Corona California.

Tom