My old Durkopp is driving me up the wall!

[toxo]

Have renewed a few bits and watched the videos and adjusted this and that and In the words of the late and great Eric Morecambe,

I think I'm playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order.

I think the problem isn't helped by the fact that I'm using M6o thread because I have lots of it. Is there a better size for tuning or does it not matter? I say this because after trying different size needles, 120 seems to work best but the thread still shreds or breaks. I realise this is a lot to do with tension, the thread was jumping out of the lower disc which is free to revolve, then I found if you get it in a certain place and snag the thread under the hook thing it stays put and doesn't jump out. The adjustment screw in back of the tension unit isn't attached to anything and the rod that comes across when you lift the presser foot with the knee thing only moves slightly and doesn't contact anything. I don't think this is affecting the tuning process. I've watched Uwes video but it starts with timing marks which I don't have. What's needed for plebs like me is a .... Start here then do that and then do that etc. If this is happening then do this, if this happens after that then do this. You get what I mean. A big problem for me is the underlying thought that there is something wrong with the machine but it keeps me on the hook with surprises every now and then. It was beating me severely when I was trying to sew canvas to see if there was any improvement and then I stuck two pieces of 3mm veg tan under it and it sewed it, not very well but it sewed it. I'm sort of bonding with the bloody thing and I hate the thought that it might just be a boat anchor.

[shoepatcher]

What model of machine is it?  pics?

glenn

[toxo]

On 6/26/2019 at 1:23 PM, shoepatcher said:

What model of machine is it?  pics?

glenn

It's a 239-125 Glenn.

I'll post some pics later after resizing.

I've got it sewing canvas almost well but it won't look at leather yet. The thread is shredding and breaking and I think I've just found out why. The thread guide just above the needle is broken and I thought it wouldn't matter but I've just stopped before it broke and found the thread had looped around the end of the needle, hence the shredding and breaking. Am I right guys? I'm now thinking that's what the guide is there to stop.

[shoepatcher]

That would leave a ragged edge for the thread to catch on.  pics will definitely help.

glenn

[toxo]

This first image is about the lower disc. It's free to turn unless you make sure to hook the thread under the hook thing at about 1.o'clock on the disc. Even then it turns. the adjuster behind the tension mechanism (below the red oil hole) is attached to nothing and does nothing.

This is the thread I'm using at the moment primarily because it's thicker than the M60 that I have loads of. Was using a 120 needle that seemed ok but I broke the last one and here I'm using a 140. Now that I've kinda solved the shredding problem I'll go back to try other sizes.

when there was no guide above the needle.

After I cobbled a sort of guide together and tried some more tensions it started to sew :)

Eight layers of canvas. Still breaking thread now and then but definitely light at the end of the tunnel! I can see a servo motor in my stars.

[Constabulary]

It´s always a good advise to post pictures as soon as a problem occurs. Pictures tell more than 1000 words  

On the 1st pic I can see that the tension unit is not correctly assembled. The screw that holds the lower left "discs" in place is missing therefore it moved out of position and you most likely missed the small hook inside the disc when threading the machine.

Pictures stolen from College Sewing UK - Dürkopp 239 and Singer 111 (and others brands) share the same tension unit. However - I never replaced the screw alone - not sure if spare screws are out there. Generic units are relatively cheap if you and to replace it.

https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/store/240446-TENSION-COMPLETE-SINGER-111W

Not sure what threading this screw has - maybe you have a short M3 (?) screw in you junk box and maybe an M3 tap...

Edited June 27, 2019 by Constabulary

[toxo]

Thanks Folker. I found the screw but the thread's gone. It's holding in there but loose. I could prolly fix it but a new one wouldn't hurt at that price. I just checked it on a couple bits of leather but no good. On closer inspection the bloody hook timing has shifted.

[toxo]

Can anyone tell me where I can get this missing screw? On page 8 of the Durkopp parts list I think it's #024214a but my German is a bit rusty ha ha! 

College couldn't help but whilst I was on the phone to them this morning I had a brain fart and ordered a servo motor.

 

[shoepatcher]

That number  sounds like a singer screw number.

glenn

[mikesc]

Looks like it might be an M3 or M4 thread there..if so, any M3 or M4 threaded bolt will do..try one that is too long, cut ( and file the cut end clean ) to required length..