Parott1 Report post Posted March 1, 2017 I've been using #138 thread on my Biothane Beta dog leashes, but recently tried going to 277 top & 207 bottom; per Biothane's recommendation. I can't for the life of me get the knot to pull to the center. It's at the halfway to 2/3's on the bottom piece. Anytime I back tack, the bottom looks like crap because the knots aren't pulling up and are all jumbled up on the bottom. The machine is threaded correctly and the thread is ran through a lube pot. I tightened the side and top tensioners exactly how Ryan Neal shows in his YouTube videos. I've also tried to tighten and loosen the bobbin tension to no avail. Does anyone have any suggestions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted March 1, 2017 Try 1 larger size needle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 1, 2017 I'm using a size 26 needle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerseyFirefighter Report post Posted March 1, 2017 Im sorry I cannot add to assisting you as my suggestion would have been the bigger needle as well... however would you mind sharing any good biothane distributors? I've been meaning to get some pieces and mess around with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted March 1, 2017 Biothane is wicked. Not only do you need to use a larger needle, but you also need to tighten the top tension, or loosen the bobbin spring. Also, not estableshed, but try using a non-leather point needle. This stuff is made of vinyl, which is usually sewn with a round/sharp point, not a leather point. A compromise would be a tri-point needle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 1, 2017 I'm using a 794S size 26. How I have the top tension pretty tight. How tight should the bobbin tension be in comparison to the top tension? I had 277 on the top and accidentally had 138 on the bottom. The knots were pulling right into the center. When I went up to 207 no matter what I did, the knots wouldn't budge Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted March 1, 2017 Yeah the S needles dont do as great for thick leather or other tough materials IMHO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 1, 2017 What kind of needle should I be using? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 1, 2017 I finally got the knots to pull through to the center, but they are inconsistent. Some stitches has the knot pulling to the upper piece of beta and other stitches have the knot more towards the bottom. Could this be caused by loose bobbin tension? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted March 1, 2017 55 minutes ago, Parott1 said: What kind of needle should I be using? 1 hour ago, Wizcrafts said: Biothane is wicked. Not only do you need to use a larger needle, but you also need to tighten the top tension, or loosen the bobbin spring. Also, not estableshed, but try using a non-leather point needle. This stuff is made of vinyl, which is usually sewn with a round/sharp point, not a leather point. A compromise would be a tri-point needle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted March 1, 2017 The problem with Biothane is that it is religious and heals the holes instantly, just before the knots are pulled up. I had better luck sewing Biothane on a Union Lockstitch than on my CB4500 or a Cobra Class 4. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 2, 2017 (edited) After messing with the tension I had it sewing perfect. Then when I went to use it today I was having problems with it in reverse. When I start my leashes, I start it in reverse, sew 3 stitches and then sew forward. Well today the bottoms of the rev/forward look like spaghetti on the bottom. It's also now skipping stitches i.e. On the 3rd stitch in reverse I go past the bottom dead center and go forward. It just skips the last stitch and leaves me with a hole where the needle went in. This also happens when doing a turn. The needle goes in, then I go past BCD and turn. The thread just pulls out and skips the last stitch. Could this be a timing issue? Edited March 2, 2017 by Parott1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted March 2, 2017 (edited) Make sure the hook pics up the loop before changing direction. May have to bring the needle up a quarter inch on the up swing before this happens (sounds like ya were doing this) Also check the allen head bolts thru the access port where the reverse/stitch lever is (not too tight or the handle will be very hard to move). Ive also found the one in the access plate below the lever may need tightening as well. It still happens on mine occasionally but is reduced. Edited March 2, 2017 by MADMAX22 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 3, 2017 (edited) Not sure if this can be of any help in diagnosing the problem, but I did a few test pieces just sewing backwards. The machine skips a stitch every 3-4 one. The underside also looks very sloppy. Bobbin thread loose and not pulled tight to the material Edited March 3, 2017 by Parott1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SolarLeatherMachines Report post Posted March 3, 2017 Where are you located? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 3, 2017 North east Pennsylvania Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SolarLeatherMachines Report post Posted March 3, 2017 What kind of lube are you using? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SolarLeatherMachines Report post Posted March 3, 2017 Go here and watch the video on performing a timing check. http://www.solar-leather.com/supporthelp/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 3, 2017 The machine appears to be in time. I'm using silicon lube that I got from Ryan Neal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SolarLeatherMachines Report post Posted March 3, 2017 Type of thread? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 3, 2017 Black 277 top and 207 bottom the brand is cowboy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominicff Report post Posted March 3, 2017 Anybody have a chart about what thread size on top would fit with a different size on the bottom. ? Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 3, 2017 The first pic is the top side of the stitch. Forward is the top with the tail and the bottom is reverse. The second pic is the bottom side of the stitches. Top is forward and bottom reverse. As you can see the bottom stitch is slightly smaller and the bottom side of reverse looks like it just runs on Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SolarLeatherMachines Report post Posted March 3, 2017 Can't see anything in those pics, especially with black thread. Was thinking about it this morning. Are you still using the S point? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parott1 Report post Posted March 3, 2017 Sorry for the poor quality pic. Yes I'm still using the s point. Biothanes website recommends a round point in either #25 or 26 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
