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Posted

Hi David,

Have you tried reducing your bobbin tension? This would be my next course of action if adjusting the top tension didn't get what I wanted. Just a quarter or eighth of a turn anticlockwise at first. Then sew a few inches of scrap leather similar to what you'll be sewing "for real" and take a look. You may have to tweak your top tension a little again at this point to get it right. If that doesn't work, back the bottom tension off a little more and try again. You may be able to find a "happy medium" which tensions TKT20 and TKT40 thread are tensioned properly but there's an equal chance that you'll have to tweak the bottom tension a little each time you change thread size.

Next action, if that doesn't solve it, would be to go up one needle size, as JLS says.

Yes some brands of thread behave differently, and even some colours within the same brand. Black is notorious for being awkward as it is sometimes made by redyeing brighter colours, which can leave it... crunchier? Harder? Stiffer? Don't know what the right word is but essentially it is more reluctant to bend, which means it can cause problems in some machines, especially when forming a loop. I've got a few king spools of black nylon that's been sitting at the back of my thread shelf now, while I have never had a problem with Coats Nylbond in any colour. (It might help that I only buy it from sources that I know have a fast turnover -- nylon thread is apparently freshware. Saving a few quid buying "bargain" old stock or random-brand thread is often a false economy.) Somac makes good thread and it looks like they only started making Somabond 2 years ago so I wouldn't think it's a thread problem per se in your case.

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Posted
  On 11/14/2018 at 9:06 PM, Matt S said:

Hi David,

Have you tried reducing your bobbin tension? This would be my next course of action if adjusting the top tension didn't get what I wanted. Just a quarter or eighth of a turn anticlockwise at first. Then sew a few inches of scrap leather similar to what you'll be sewing "for real" and take a look. You may have to tweak your top tension a little again at this point to get it right. If that doesn't work, back the bottom tension off a little more and try again. You may be able to find a "happy medium" which tensions TKT20 and TKT40 thread are tensioned properly but there's an equal chance that you'll have to tweak the bottom tension a little each time you change thread size.

Next action, if that doesn't solve it, would be to go up one needle size, as JLS says.

Yes some brands of thread behave differently, and even some colours within the same brand. Black is notorious for being awkward as it is sometimes made by redyeing brighter colours, which can leave it... crunchier? Harder? Stiffer? Don't know what the right word is but essentially it is more reluctant to bend, which means it can cause problems in some machines, especially when forming a loop. I've got a few king spools of black nylon that's been sitting at the back of my thread shelf now, while I have never had a problem with Coats Nylbond in any colour. (It might help that I only buy it from sources that I know have a fast turnover -- nylon thread is apparently freshware. Saving a few quid buying "bargain" old stock or random-brand thread is often a false economy.) Somac makes good thread and it looks like they only started making Somabond 2 years ago so I wouldn't think it's a thread problem per se in your case.

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My solution for thread ( black for instance ) that doesn't do well on top is to use it on the bottom ( bobbin )  it has worked for me.

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Posted

edwelld, what kgg said. I often get that same thing with what appears to be multiple threads coming up from the bobbin area, all I do is handwheel the pulley back and forth a little which releases the thread and it then just pulls out normally.

Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500.

Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)

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Posted

Thanks all for the helpful responses.

Needle height was the issue with the "extra threads" - thanks very much.

I was using size 140 needles, I've order some 160s and I'll try the bobbin tension test suggested by Kgg.

Matt as you are UK based, I'm interested to know which thread you use and where you buy it from.

very kind of you all to take the trouble to help me out

kindest regards

David

Posted
  On 11/15/2018 at 4:58 AM, dikman said:

edwelld, what kgg said. I often get that same thing with what appears to be multiple threads coming up from the bobbin area, all I do is handwheel the pulley back and forth a little which releases the thread and it then just pulls out normally.

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If you stop with the take-up lever all the way @ the highest position it releases the thread from the hook.

Bob Kovar
Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine Sales Ltd.
3631 Marine Rd
Toledo,Ohio 43609
1-866-362-7397

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