Singer 5050 Mechanical Sewing Machine - Page 8 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

You can get a users manual from the Singer Website for model 5040.

Thread the machine with the presser foot up and see if this helps.

The balance stitch control on this model is below the stitch patterns; to the far right.

If you need a manual you can download a free one at the Singer Company website.

Oh FANTASTIC!!! I love old Singers!! They have the prettiest, neatest stitch. Here are some great places to find information: http://www.tias.com/stores/relics/ (they have manuals and lots of drawings, too)
http://www.ismacs.net/home.html (the International Sewing Machine Collector's Society)
http://needlebar.org/bb2/ (Needlebar, a great on-line forum)
http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/ (great photos)
Let me know if these resources help!
Happy Sewing!
Robbie

Hi! Here are two things to check that generally cause problems like this:

1. Check that you're threading the machine correctly, especially the take-up lever.

2. It may be that you need to tighten the top tension. When the top tension is too loose, it'll cause big gobs of thread, like you say, on the back of the material. All this thread is actually top thread (not bobbin thread). (I recommend using different colored threads in your top thread and in your bobbin when you suspect tension problems.)

A couple of things to remember when you are adjusting the tension:

• Always adjust the tension with the pressure foot DOWN.
• Thread the machine with the pressure foot UP (so the thread can slip easily into the tension disks).
• The higher the number on the dial, the tighter the tension.
  
• Adjust in small increments. Stitch a few inches, check, adjust, stitch, check adjust--and repeat as needed.
  

I'm in the process of posting some photos about tension adjustments on www.robbiesews.blogspot.com. Check there later tonight and I should have them up.

Let me know if this helps, ok?


Robbie

I have the same problem. Driving me nuts. The tension dial is broken, as far as I can tell. Just craps out from time to time. Sometimes turning it on and off helps. I personally think it's a problem with the electronic controls.

You may have threaded the machine with the presser foot down. This closes the tension control and the thread cannot properly enter during the threading process.

Re-thread with the presser foot up.

Test the stitching.

Unless you are going to hand wind a heavier thread on the bobbin, you do not need to make any adjustment to the bobbin tension.

There is a screw on the side of the bobbin case and this is where you adjust the tension.

You can download a free manual here - http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html

If your stitching is loopy, it is not the bobbin.

Re-thread the machine with the presser foot up. This will insure proper tension when the top thread and bobbin thread combine to make a stitch.

Try rethreading the machine, and make sure your bobbin is in the right way - check the manual.Also clean out under the needle plate- a build up of lint can cause all kinds of trouble.

replace the needle after cleaning and oiling the bobbin case

Check to make sure that the thread running between the tension disks. A quick check is to lower the presser foot and then pull on the top thread. If you do not feel any tension, then it may not be ran in between the disks. Also, check to see if your bobbin is inserted correctly going counter-clockwise. This can cause the "loose" loops and thread jams in the bobbin casing.

Go to

http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html

There's a "free download" option there - I used "5050" for the model number, the "C" seemed to confuse the search engine.

If I can be of further assistance, or if you have questions about any of my response(s), please let me know before rating me.

If this solves the issue, please rate it accordingly. My goal is to earn a "Very Helpful" rating from everyone I help.

Thanks for using Fixya.com,

Jon

Yes, VERY frustrating! When this has happened to me it has always turned out to be a tiny bit of thread caught in the bobbin assembly. I've rethreaded and rethreaded but could only solve the problem by taking the bobbin assembly apart and finding and removing the caught thread. I use a bright flashlight to help find the caught threads.

Good luck and I sure hope this helps!

Robbie

Only place to try is either www.sewingonline.co.uk/instructions or www.sewing-machine-manuals.com click on relics on this site but don't be put off by relics.

The silver plate should be on top.

try cleaning and lubrication as the first known miracle happen...

I have had that problem to. All I had to do was adjust the tension and make sure that the thread had enough slack and it was fine. That is slack after you pulled it through the hole in the needle.
Hope this helps you.

Suspect the lower drive mechanism is out of time with the upper drive. See your local service agency for repair.

is all tangled

You will only be able to get major parts direct from aSinger supplier or Singer company itself

From what I was told this manual should be the same. I tested the website and I have recieved no spam mail. So it should be safe to register.

http://homeappliance.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/singer/5825.html