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How do you adjust the bobbin tension on a Singer 533....When I use mine..the top thread from the needle is fine but the underside thread is a mess, all tangles etc. Any ideas anyone???
Re: How do you adjust the bobbin tension on a Singer...
With your slide plate open, you will see 2 screws on the bobbin case. You need to adjust the one on the inside (not the one that sits at the edge of the metal strip). Do so very slightly. If you can't seem to get it adjusted, take a look and make sure there isn't any thread or lint in between the two pieces of metal that the thread feeds through. This can cause a loose tension.
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1. You need to remove the bobbin case and adjust the tension. The tension should allow the thread to move with a slight tension. Clean the area with a qtip. The bobbin case sits in a an area that is called the race. The race needs one drop of oil. Replace everything.
2. Replace the needle. Make sure it is in the right direction. Thread the top while the foot is up. If the thread gets stuck while threading there is a problem. The thread should move easily while the foot is up. After you thread the machine except the needle you can put the foot down. Now pull on the thread. It should give you a slight amount of tension. Usually four is a good number. If the tension is too tight you can adjust as needed. Now, thread the needle. Hold the thread under the foot while you turn the hand wheel. The bobbin thread should come up.
3. Give your machine a try with a slow speed.
Is it really the bobbin thread that is globbing? Check closely. Usually it is the upper thread accumulating under the fabric.
If it is in fact the bobbin thread, then the bobbin case is not threaded correctly, the bobbin case tension needs adjustment, or it is broken and needs replacement. There are web sites and YouTube videos that show how to adjust the bobbin case tension.
QUICK FIXES: Remove all the thread from the machine. Clean the area around the feed dogs and bobbin area. Oil as instructed in the owner's manual using ONLY fresh, good quality sewing machine oil (only 1-2 drops each spot). Install a brand new needle insuring it is installed correctly. Avoid using fuzzy, old, or bargain bin thread. Rethread: Be sure you raise the presser foot BEFORE threading the upper thread so it will seat properly in the tension disk--and check to make sure you are threading the machine correctly. Check that the upper tension is set properly (the factory standard is usually the halfway point between the high & low number on the selection). Test on a scrap of the fabric you wish to sew. Adjust the upper tension--either tighten to pull the upper thread toward the top of the fabric, or loosen to pull more upper thread down.
change the needle --make sure it's the right one for the fabric being sewed
rethread the machine top and bobbin
make sure the bobbin is turned the right way in the bobbin case
also check the top thread tension, if the stitches under the fabric are loose adjust the top thread tension one number or letter higher at a time and sew on a scrap piece of fabric till the stitches look normal
try adjusting the top tension to 3 & if it doesn't stop the looping, try 4 but I wouldn't go any higher than 5,, if changing the top tension doesn't help then I suggest taking the machine in to have it serviced. the bottom tension is more difficult to do,, it's also very possible that the top tension dial is messed up & needs replacing. only a sewing machine shop can tell for sure.
A.
To correct loose stitches, try the following: (1) Balance the thread tension. If the stitches are loose on top of the fabric, decrease the tension to the next lower number. If they are loose on the underside set the tension to the next higher number. (2) Make sure the needle/upper thread follows the threading path. (3) Check to see that the bobbin case is threaded properly. (4) Use a different size needle. For fine fabrics, use a smaller needle (size 9, 11); medium-weight fabrics require a size 14 or 16. And use a size 18 or "Denim" needle for heavy corduroy or denim.
In my experience, I can adjust the tension on my older machines (like my Singer Featherweights so that the needle thread will not show at all on the underside of the fabric (and the bobbin thread will not show at all on the top)--but I've found it nearly impossible to get the same degree of control on my newer (computerized) machines. It always seems that there is a touch of the needle thread showing on the bottom and a touch of the bobbin thread showing on top.
I'm not familiar with the MegaQuilter but I'd just keep playing with your tension control to get it as fine as possible.
Hi, maybe your bobbin is turning the wrong way and you need to flip it over. Or you don't have any top tension. Be sure the thread is in between the tension disks with the foot up. Its also possible that there is a burr on the hook part that goes around and grabs the top thread. The thread will catch on the burr and cause this issue. Usually after breaking a needle. Then the burr would need to be polished off.
This is a tension adjustment problem. It's good to use two different colors of thread, like you did. From your description, the top thread (needle thread) tension needs to be tighter. As you tighten the tension of the top thread, you'll see that the top thread pulls the bobbin thread up into the fabric so it's no longer laying loose on the bottom of the fabric.
You'll need to have the pressure foot down when you tighten the tension. Tighten it a little, sew a practice seam, check to see what the stitch looks like. Tighten it a little more, sew, check, etc etc--until both top and bottom look the same--you shouldn't see much (if any) of the bobbin thread color on top of the fabric or the top thread color on the underside.
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