Singer 6038 Mechanical Sewing Machine - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

there should be small washers ( discs with a tapered flange to direct the thread between the plates ) if they are not under the spring behind the tension adjuster knob then that will be your problem if they are there then check that the tread is between the plates and not behind them missing plates are available from a sewing machine mechanic sgop

I'm wondering if there is a possibility that a puff ball is getting in the tension, needle or bobbin. You might want to look at your thread in the light to see if it is fuzzy. Replace it with good, embroidery thread from someplace other than Walmart. Anyway, do a good cleanup in those areas to ensure there isn't buildup of thread.

It's possible that you have threads wound somewhere inside the machine. Likely places are the tension unit and near the hand wheel.

Hmm, I'm wondering if it has been cleaned and oiled recently. Older mechanicals require frequent TLC. Consult your owner's manual for cleaning and maintenance instructions:Is your sewing machine mechanical (ie, not computerized)??? CAUTION--if your machine is computerized, do NOT proceed with the following suggestions.If it is mechanical, have you cleaned and oiled your machine recently? Most mechanical sewing machine failures are because they have not been adequately and routinely oiled, the old oil has solidified and frozen the mechanics. I recommend Bernina oil or liquid Tri-Flow Synthetic Lube (or similar good quality sewing machine oil) for mechanical machines--do NOT use 3-in-1, cooking oil, WD-40, or the sewing machine oil from your grandmother's sewing basket. (I am not associated with any Bernina dealer.) If it is in fact frozen, pick up a bottle of liquid Tri-Flow Synthetic Oil at the hardware store. Oil one or two drops in every oil hole (see your manual) and also every place where metal rubs on metal. But DO NOT oil any plastic gears, rubber, or belts. If it is still stiff or frozen, direct a hot handheld hair dryer into the top and bottom mechanism of your machine. See if that loosens it up. You may have to repeat. Once your machine is working again, place a drop or two of good sewing machine oil as directed above. Be sure to use a small brush to clean the lint and dirt out of your machine, especially around the feed dogs and bobbin area. (Caution: Compressed air will sometimes force the dirt and lint into areas that cannot be cleaned.) And continue to use good quality sewing machine oil to keep it running. Recommendation: every time you change a bobbin, after 8 hours of sewing, or every six months if it is not in regular use.

Is the thread pulling out of the needle when you first begin to sew? If so, be sure you are pulling sufficient thread through the needle at the outset--between 4-6 inches. You can also try bringing the bobbin thread to the top before beginning to stitch. How and Why to Bring up the Bobbin Thread ...

A number of things, and you need to rule them out one by one. First, if you don't have one, download the user's manual free from the Singer Sewing Machine site and make sure you are doing the procedures correctly, from winding the bobbin, inserting the bobbin, and threading the upper part, then selecting the stitch you want. Next, check to see if your feed dogs are up at all! It is a lever on the side approximately under the needle plate in the front. If they aren't up, put them up, but a heads-up--on ALL sewing machines, you will ALSO then have to turn the hand wheel towards you (ALWAYS towards you for ANYTHING) at least one and possibly two or three times before it snaps up. You will actually hear it snap into place. If you have done these things and you still can't get a decorative stitch, it's possible that the cam that controls it is stuck, although that's no likely because if it is the machine usually just sews a couple of stitches and stops.

Thread tension is a BALANCE between the top tension and the bottom tension. It appears that your bobbin tension is sightly tighter, causing the top thread to be pulled down. Run a zigzag stitch. If your top looks fine, but your bottom looks something like chicken footprint tracks, see if you can adjust your top tension a little tighter to compensate. If, in doing that the stitches are balanced but just too tight, you will need to adjust your bobbin tension SLIGHTLY looser. You will need a tiny screwdriver to do this. Take the case out and locate two screws on the side. Once is a Phillips--leave it alone. The other next to it is usually on the left of the Phillips, and, is a straight-blade screw. Lefty-loosey, righty-tighty. In your case, you want to adjust it a LITTLE looser to match the top tension--no more than 1/4 turn. Put it back and test it again; you should see some improvement. If it still needs a little adjusting, reinsert and repeat, but ONLY 1/4 turn at a time. DON'T fool with it at all if you can compensate by tightening your top tension, and before you do anything, clean and oil your bobbin area with ONE drop and ONE only of sewing machine oil.ONLY. You might find that just cleaning and oiling will solve your problem right there.

Take the machine into a repair shop. You won't have all the tools or the parts to make the repair properly.

Check to be certain the flat side of the needle is in the right spot otherwise when you screw it down it can become loose

when the needle position does not stay fixed,, then it's time to have the machine checked to see if the part is damaged or needs a adjustment

try--some of these sites you may have to email about the partebaysewingpartsonline.comsew4less.comsewvacdoctor.coma1sewingmachines.com

Hi! Birdnesting is such a frustrating problem! In my experience, though, it's not related to tension (especially if your tension was ok before you took the bobbin case out to clean it).

I'd really check the bobbin case again for any bit of lint or thread--all it takes is just a tiny piece. Also clean out the feed dogs and under them--that entire area. Then rethread everything--change needles too--and pay attention to threading the bobbin. Make sure it's 'by the book'.

When you start to sew, hold the two tails (top and bobbin) fairly snugly in your left hand, behind the needle, while you take the first few stitches.

Let me know if this helps, ok? If it doesn't, there are a few other things we can try before calling the repairman.

Happy Sewing!

bobbin winder is the little spindle on top usually right side above the flywheel. you need to move it left away from the stop as this engages the bobbin winder and disengages the needle movement. your manual should show this under Winding a bobbin. these machines dont have a clutch on the flywheel, just moving the bobbin spindle declutches

Check the singer website for a instruction manual
Go to the singer website
Go to the home page
At the bottom of the page look for instruction manual--click on it
It will take you to another page
In the box put the model number (example 6038) & click search
They usually have a free download

singer has a free downloadable manual

Go to the singer website
At the bottom of the homepage look for instruction manual--click on it
It will take you to another page
In the box put in the model number of the machine (example 6038)
Click search
They have one & it's a free download

Have you recently changed the needle? If so, please check if it is in the right way, flat shank to the back. This is easy to get wrong and will prevent stitch formation as the scarf at the back of the needle (scooped out area) is where the rotary hook goes to catch the thread during stitching.

I think that you need a new motor, I saw one online for $90 and it looks like it would be easy to install yourself, mostly plug in and bolt to the machine, I saw it on www.sewingpartsonline.com but there are other sites,

No, you should only have to turn the hand wheel towards you and you will see that the thread will hook on the bobbin thread if you have your cover off.

Totally unthread your machine, change your needle (flat side facing away from you). Always make sure that the presser foot is up when threading, now once it is threaded, pull the top thread, it should move smoothly, lower presser foot, pull the thread, it should barely move. This usually seats your thread in the tension discs.

Before anything, try changing to a different electrical outlet. I thought it was my machine and it was the outlet. Another thing, it could be your on/off switch is bad. And then, it could also be, your lead cord wire went bad. you can go online and see what it looks like, I saw one on a sewing machine parts for $10.99, but you may find one cheaper.