Akko Report post Posted May 13, 2018 Hi everyone, found this forum and I hope you guys can help me out. I've recently bought a second patcher but I'm facing the same problems as my previous one. Everything that has to be cleaned to work, is been cleaned. Everything goes smoothly but still having a problem with the result. My upper tension is at his minimum and still doesnt work properly. Lower tension is perfect. What could be the problem? Any suggestions, Ive changed the needle, other thread... Several topics didn't help me out, nor youtube. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark842 Report post Posted May 13, 2018 5 minutes ago, Akko said: My upper tension is at his minimum and still doesnt work properly. Lower tension is perfect. Tension is a tug of war. The tension is either correct or incorrect. If your knot is on top, which yours is, and your top tension is backed off all the way, that means your bobbin tension needs to be tighter. As a general rule the top tension is the "go to" for tension adjustment unless your bobbin tension is out of the tolerances the top can adjust out. I would set your top tension to about the center of its adjustment and then start adjusting the bobbin for more tension until the knot is in the middle of your work, not showing on top or bottom. Once you get there you don't need to mess with the bobbin for minor adjustments just the top. Knot on top, lower top tension, knot on bottom, raise top tension. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted May 13, 2018 First, verify that you are using a proper combination of thread and needle sizes. Second, if the top tension is as loose as can be and the bobbin has reasonable tension and the knots are still visible on top, the top thread is binding somewhere along the way. This could be the thread spool itself, or thread twisting over the guide on top of the thread stand. It could also be caused by the take-up lift adjuster barrel being set too far in, forcing the take-up to pull too much thread through with each stroke. Last, the timing could be too far advanced or retarded, adding unwanted pressure. But, that is unlikely to affect the knots so drastically. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted May 16, 2018 check the tension spring inside the bottom of the needle bar to make sure it is not worn or broke. glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted May 17, 2018 or bottom tension too low (worn tension spring on shuttle?) or the shuttle has a grove under the tension spring (worn out by the thread) you can also try shortening the upper tension spring. Post pictures of your thread path. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akko Report post Posted May 17, 2018 So I tried all the above... I even polished every contact part for the tensioning so nothing can get in its way. the lower tension is perfect as I tested it with my other machine which runs smoothly. The tension spring for the needle is still there... No idea if its worn. i checked everything and I noticed something little. Two or three stitches are fine and then it goes bust. The upper thread looks like it doesnt move. So i think my take up pull is malfunctioning? I will post pictures later thanks guys for all the info and help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted May 17, 2018 no used machine is like the other - I would try to increase the bottom tension or shorten the upper tension spring by 1 or 2 coils if you cannot find other "faults". Both are simple tasks and will not hurt trying. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akko Report post Posted May 18, 2018 So i tried cutting1 coil and it works perfect and smoothly now, thanks guys. I will post a pictures with the result Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akko Report post Posted May 18, 2018 Found another problem, which may be interesting for some guys. Where the thread needs to go behind that little 'pole' there's a spring. Sometimes the threads get stuck and does not move. One of the reasons it did not work. Everything works nice now Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted May 18, 2018 usually there is a 1mm felt or leather washer between the bottom tension disc and the head casting - that thin washer rises the tension discs a bit and could solve the thread hanging - check if it the washer is present Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akko Report post Posted May 18, 2018 Washer is present... Maybe due to it's age it went smaller? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted May 19, 2018 Don´t know. Or replace the spring if it has burrs or a rough end (or just smoothen it) Or try the spring from your other patcher maybe that helps. The spring remained the same for a century or more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted May 21, 2018 Also, see if the take up lever is coming up to high. If so, it can cause the top tension to be to tight. That can be regulated by means of the screw in the piston and knurl lock washer. Most people forget about this function on a Singer shoepatcher. glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
