I had exactly the same problem. Never found an exact RUclips video with the solution. Ended up being the bobbin carrier. I had to polish it to an extremely smooth shine in and around the "hook" part of the bobbin, top and bottom of the hook area. Bobbin carrier was cutting upper thread. Also polish the sharp edges around the top of the carrier. Fixed mine. Good luck!
OK, I've had mine for three days and have watched many videos on this machine. 1)Make sure your using either Nylon or high-quaility Polyester thread. 2) Buff inside & outside of bobbin carrier to insure smooth movement of bobbin. 3) When threading bobbin carrier, thread it through the second or bottom hole and make sure the thread does not go under the flat plate, (that is for more tension on feed) 4)If you have 2 tensioners on your machine, by-pass the second one. 5)Make sure you have oiled and greased "All" the moving parts, ie levers, bearings, etc. 6)Before sewing pull on thread coming out of bobbin to ensure free movement. 7) You might want smoothin out the hole that the thread comes of the plate, if it has sharp edges, it will cut the thread. Hope this help you a little. After doing these things, I haven't had any problems so far. Oh yeah, you'll need to file down the teeth on the foot a little so it does mark your material.
I had the same problem. This is what I did to solve my issue. My shutter was very ruff.so I replace my shutter that came with my machine with a shutter from my singer 29-4. I truly believe that if you sand the shutter case with some fine sandpaper you will have your problem licked.
I know this is from several years ago but I thought I'd give some input for anyone who comes across this problem. Most likely the needle is not traveling deep enough causing the thread to get cut by the bobbin. When the needle is in the lowest position you should just feel the needle at the bottom of the machine. If you don't feel it loosen the piston screw at the top and move the needle down to the correct depth. Polishing down the sharp corners on the bobbin helps as well. Lastly a larger needle may be needed to accommodate larger thread. Hope someone finds this information useful! I just recently purchased one of these and I wish this info was easier to find. Have a groovy day!
I have a huge playlist of videos addressing some of the common problems with these machines if you would like to check them out. I found a few issues you could fix right off the bat. 1: You need to use the same thread in your upper and in your bobbin. 2: What size thread are you using? You may need a larger needle by the looks. 3: What type of thread are you using, it looks like crochet thread. 4: what set of holes are you using on your bobbin? The ones closer to the tension spring or the ones further away?
I'm collecting videos too! Yes, that thread looks terrible. The needle has a trench/grove on one side you can roughly determine if the thread is too thick/thin by laying the thread in this grove Generally it should be snug. I guess having these zeroed in (filed cleaned up) would add much to the price Only reason it was within my reach.............. if you ever get it running you will be glad you will be pleased.
I'm having the exact same problem!!! But I have made some progress. 1. Cleaned and polished the bobbin parts. 2. Cleaned up the hole the needle goes down through with a drill bit. 3. Timed the bobbin by Mainely Acres youtube videos. 4. Used both upper thread tension tighteners and increased the tension allot and it seems to sew better. Still not happy how it works. The foot leaves marks in the leather.
I have one of those machines, just got it the other day and all I can do is shake my head. The workmanship is without a gram of pride, parts missing, the crankshaft was not out far enough to catch the tightening nut. What a mess, but, with a little effort, and watching 2,000 youtube videos, I think I might be able to use this at some point. As far as your problem goes with the bobbin, I remember seeing a video on YT about timing in the bobbin, could that be true or just my old brain being faulty. If so I bet its that sharp point on the bobbin holder, good luck if I run into some info on your problem I'll send it to you, thumbs up, good vid man
I hope that you have since posting this video you are sewing like a champ, but if not I saw a dude that maybe worked for the company explain it like this... he showed how the 9 o' clock position was key. He had the bobbin out and showed that at the wheel when turned clockwise to 9 that the casing the the bobbin goes into and pushes the hook, stops at the 9 position as well and that is right position for the bobbin to be inserted to have the proper alignment. It worked for me, I have the same machine and did some modifications as per some videos on you tube. I hope you have your machine already dialed in and if not that this info came at the right time. take care never stop being creative
I had the same problem. The fix for me was a good cleaning. Mine was filled with metal chips and shavings. Probably from when they were drilling the holes and sanding the welds. Metal beats thread! I used some Q-tips cleaned that whole bobbin area and re-oiled. Works great now
You need to hold both threads for the first couple stitches, you cover the bobben tread with the glove and the needle is pushing it back into the bobben well and double looping inside causing a jam up.
I just had this problem with mine. It was sewing like a champ then I swapped the needle out and broke thread within 2 stitches. I had the flat side of the needle facing out so I switched it to the round side out and flat side in. Sews like a champ again.
I have had needles that have a sharp hole and caused my thread to brake. took me for ever to figure it out. When I broke that needle and replaced it all went well
I have the. Same problem so I have taken off the arm and filed the needle groove, emery clothed all the bobbin carrier and when I put it back together checked the needle making sure it travels in the middle of the needle slot hope this helps Eric
The thread on the bobbin is too thick and the tension is too tight for the thickness of the thread. You can adjust the bobbin tension, but I stick with thinner threads and it works fine.
You could rotate the wheel with that Bobbin cover uncovered so you can see what’s going on. If the tension is not too tight then obviously something is cutting the thread I would leave the cover open and rotate and see what happening
I’m sorry I think you have to tighten the tensioners a little more. I was wrong about the washer. My machine had the same problem I thought it was place in the bobbin holder but it turns out the string tensioner was to lose you have to tighten two or three turns just one of them
check under the arm where needle goes down through. on bottom or arm is a metal plate held on by 2 screws check hole in this plate mine was drilled wrong. took off plate made hole bigger fixed problem. was scraping thread on down stroke. hope this helped
They are cheap couse before they can cool down from the casting sand they are painted up and boxed. ~~~~~~~ Fixed mine 3hrs in !!! Whew ... .. . If you can get these running and polish some minor parts they are very worth the effort. I know a couple guys that have 6k"s in a machine but still use this one for zippers and such. They have there place if you think about it. Also, I have sewn one patch on a medic bag ... very nice job looks pro. 12 jeans with many holes very enjoyable to run versus tearing open a pant sleeve to cover a hole with my Phaff 130. FIXING I would make notes regarding thread size, polishing edges centering needle in the hole, making sure the needle sits close to the rotating bobbin/shuttle, etc. After breaking thread so many times I finally found where it was snapping. The upper thread slides under the bobbin then it snaps! Wish I had time to video. What may help I really hope someone understands my chicken scratch. Slide cover plate open set the foot to zero so it just pops up and down ..no walking. Cut the thimble thread to 1/4 inch, leave in place. Then cycle the sewing machine holding the upper thread as it is running like normal, so you can see this thread running cycles. The thread loops as you turn the machine. At least in this way, you may see where the thread is catching. I did for about 30min. Found this: 1st It was binding on the metal hook, not the actual point but between the spring tensioner for the bobbins lower thread... flatten the spring plate. fixed that! still more.. 2nd as thread reached TDC of (Shutter, Rotary Hook Bobbin rotation), before the loosening of the thread for needle take-up. (cycle and see what I say). It was catching as it slides under the bobbin. At this time it was also catching on the side walls (no room at all for thread between the two, so it will snap apart). I cleaned up the edges several times........ Helped some. (Also if out of timing, .. "retarded", the thread may not be going over hump TDC ... not fare enough to not bind.... thread will pull on the hook & thimble set, against casted part) binding the two against the wall. Does not take much at all! Timing: 3rd Pull the thimble off. (Shutter must be sitting on the correct gear teeth/tooth)... Watch several cycles with the upper thread in place. For me, it was about 30-40 times. Youll see that there is a lull where nothing turns THEN.. needle picks up. Use a magnifying glass if available. Check to see if needle eye is just at the bottom of thimble base) But more importantly... The Shutter should be almost covering the needle just as the needle goes up... shutter will sit still right beside the needle before the needle goes up. (That's where I time my unit) You can loosen the 2 nuts on machine lower arm to lengthen shorten the stroke on the linear gear shaft. To adjust the shutter timing just right it may take 3-4 or 5 times. (But... the shutter must be sitting on the correct drive gear teeth) With enough time, you can figure this out too. Once you think you've got it adjusted, Place the Rotary Hook and Bobbin back on. 4th Cycle the machine to watch the needle and shutter...... now look at the hump or protruding part of the rotary hook. between that hump and the shutter mating, is a small gap/open space... The needle should be centered between the two !!! You may have to retime once more! If the shutter and Hook are too retarded.. not advanced OR to fare from the needle..the thread in my case will catch on the hump of the hook plate, between it and the cast metal wall.. all action stops or thread breaks. So you'll need to cycle/turn for some time and see where it is catching. Watching an animation of these parts working will help very much. Most of the older units work the same way. ruclips.net/video/zyud1pxs3rg/видео.html This would be looking at your machine parts from the bottom if it were a patcher machine. I picked up two of these machines Fine tunning, replacing hardware, grinding & polishing both. Going to selling one to make up for some cash. The unit I keep I will add a step motor to. $260 bucks and I should have a very nice machine. the old singers are selling for about 7 to 900 now, yes much better but beyond my reach.
I have had the same problem, couple of stitchs then the thread breaks as it comes out of the leather. Turns out my needle was in backwards. The flat edge of the needle goes flat into the slot facing towards the locking screw. once i corrected that the machine works very well.
That was a cut more than a break. My machine won't sew with regular (nylon, polyester, or cotton) thread even if I skip a tensioner (mine also has two. I bent the guide wires to work better and easier.). I've been using a spool of black that came with the machine. I also rubbed the bobbin all over with 400 grit sand paper so no edges would cut my skin (or a piece of scrap leather). I did not pull the bobbin guide or widen any holes. I'll probably try using light weight fishing line.
Its not set up right I can see that here. Bobbin thread should be coming out of the side, not the hole where the needles coming through. check tension spring, it could be to tight.
People need to stop wasting money on these Chinese junk machines and buy an old Singer 29K. I was looking into getting one of these patching machines but thankfully watch lots of youtube videos like this one and read the comments of 100s of other people having the same problems just like this one.
@s/y Willemijn Cecil Gabriel 1 second ago @s/y Willemijn A friend bought one of these machines a year ago and couldn't make it sew. He brought it to me a couple days ago to see what I could do with it. A couple hours of polishing parts and fine tuning it was sewing as good as any machine. I called him and told him to come check it out. He couldn't believe the way it sewed. I am going to order one for myself. They definitely take some work and knowledge of how a sewing machine operates helps immensely.
I bought one and it took a couple hours of tuning it to get it to sew but now it sews great. Was fun tinkering with it but you do need to understand sewing machines if plan on doing it yourself.
![Кто звонил ЗАХАРОВОЙ на самом деле? 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oroU44-To8U/mqdefault.jpg)
I had exactly the same problem. Never found an exact RUclips video with the solution. Ended up being the bobbin carrier. I had to polish it to an extremely smooth shine in and around the "hook" part of the bobbin, top and bottom of the hook area. Bobbin carrier was cutting upper thread. Also polish the sharp edges around the top of the carrier. Fixed mine. Good luck!
I feel your pain mate , having kinda same problems with mine
OK, I've had mine for three days and have watched many videos on this machine. 1)Make sure your using either Nylon or high-quaility Polyester thread. 2) Buff inside & outside of bobbin carrier to insure smooth movement of bobbin. 3) When threading bobbin carrier, thread it through the second or bottom hole and make sure the thread does not go under the flat plate, (that is for more tension on feed) 4)If you have 2 tensioners on your machine, by-pass the second one. 5)Make sure you have oiled and greased "All" the moving parts, ie levers, bearings, etc. 6)Before sewing pull on thread coming out of bobbin to ensure free movement. 7) You might want smoothin out the hole that the thread comes of the plate, if it has sharp edges, it will cut the thread. Hope this help you a little. After doing these things, I haven't had any problems so far. Oh yeah, you'll need to file down the teeth on the foot a little so it does mark your material.
Great information. Thanks for sharing.
I had the same problem. This is what I did to solve my issue. My shutter was very ruff.so I replace my shutter that came with my machine with a shutter from my singer 29-4. I truly believe that if you sand the shutter case with some fine sandpaper you will have your problem licked.
I know this is from several years ago but I thought I'd give some input for anyone who comes across this problem. Most likely the needle is not traveling deep enough causing the thread to get cut by the bobbin. When the needle is in the lowest position you should just feel the needle at the bottom of the machine. If you don't feel it loosen the piston screw at the top and move the needle down to the correct depth. Polishing down the sharp corners on the bobbin helps as well. Lastly a larger needle may be needed to accommodate larger thread. Hope someone finds this information useful! I just recently purchased one of these and I wish this info was easier to find. Have a groovy day!
Do you have any feed back on how my needle can catch the bobbin thread?
I have a huge playlist of videos addressing some of the common problems with these machines if you would like to check them out. I found a few issues you could fix right off the bat. 1: You need to use the same thread in your upper and in your bobbin. 2: What size thread are you using? You may need a larger needle by the looks. 3: What type of thread are you using, it looks like crochet thread. 4: what set of holes are you using on your bobbin? The ones closer to the tension spring or the ones further away?
this should be the top comment.
I'm collecting videos too! Yes, that thread looks terrible. The needle has a trench/grove on one side you can roughly determine if the thread is too thick/thin by laying the thread in this grove Generally it should be snug. I guess having these zeroed in (filed cleaned up) would add much to the price Only reason it was within my reach.............. if you ever get it running you will be glad you will be pleased.
I'm having the exact same problem!!! But I have made some progress. 1. Cleaned and polished the bobbin parts. 2. Cleaned up the hole the needle goes down through with a drill bit. 3. Timed the bobbin by Mainely Acres youtube videos. 4. Used both upper thread tension tighteners and increased the tension allot and it seems to sew better. Still not happy how it works. The foot leaves marks in the leather.
I know some folks take the foot off and file/smooth the rough edges on the bottom side of it. They claim that will stop it from leaving marks.
Send the teeth almost flat on the presser foot. Not all the way off but about two-thirds of the way off
I have one of those machines, just got it the other day and all I can do is shake my head. The workmanship is without a gram of pride, parts missing, the crankshaft was not out far enough to catch the tightening nut. What a mess, but, with a little effort, and watching 2,000 youtube videos, I think I might be able to use this at some point. As far as your problem goes with the bobbin, I remember seeing a video on YT about timing in the bobbin, could that be true or just my old brain being faulty. If so I bet its that sharp point on the bobbin holder, good luck if I run into some info on your problem I'll send it to you, thumbs up, good vid man
I hope that you have since posting this video you are sewing like a champ, but if not I saw a dude that maybe worked for the company explain it like this... he showed how the 9 o' clock position was key. He had the bobbin out and showed that at the wheel when turned clockwise to 9 that the casing the the bobbin goes into and pushes the hook, stops at the 9 position as well and that is right position for the bobbin to be inserted to have the proper alignment. It worked for me, I have the same machine and did some modifications as per some videos on you tube. I hope you have your machine already dialed in and if not that this info came at the right time. take care never stop being creative
I had the same problem. The fix for me was a good cleaning. Mine was filled with metal chips and shavings. Probably from when they were drilling the holes and sanding the welds. Metal beats thread! I used some Q-tips cleaned that whole bobbin area and re-oiled. Works great now
You need to hold both threads for the first couple stitches, you cover the bobben tread with the glove and the needle is pushing it back into the bobben well and double looping inside causing a jam up.
This comment warrants attention.
I just had this problem with mine. It was sewing like a champ then I swapped the needle out and broke thread within 2 stitches. I had the flat side of the needle facing out so I switched it to the round side out and flat side in. Sews like a champ again.
You can watch Mainely Acres youtube videos. His video's show tuning bobbin and other common problems
I solved the same problem by loosening the tension spring on the bobbin carrier.
I also lowered my needle bar and that helped
I use the 9.00 position and it works for me put an old CD for your cotton to sit on
I have had needles that have a sharp hole and caused my thread to brake. took me for ever to figure it out. When I broke that needle and replaced it all went well
I have the. Same problem so I have taken off the arm and filed the needle groove, emery clothed all the bobbin carrier and when I put it back together checked the needle making sure it travels in the middle of the needle slot hope this helps Eric
The thread on the bobbin is too thick and the tension is too tight for the thickness of the thread. You can adjust the bobbin tension, but I stick with thinner threads and it works fine.
You could rotate the wheel with that Bobbin cover uncovered so you can see what’s going on. If the tension is not too tight then obviously something is cutting the thread I would leave the cover open and rotate and see what happening
Its a good idea
Yes indeed and try sewing some clear plastic sheet.
I’m sorry I think you have to tighten the tensioners a little more. I was wrong about the washer. My machine had the same problem I thought it was place in the bobbin holder but it turns out the string tensioner was to lose you have to tighten two or three turns just one of them
check under the arm where needle goes down through. on bottom or arm is a metal plate held on by 2 screws check hole in this plate mine was drilled wrong. took off plate made hole bigger fixed problem. was scraping thread on down stroke. hope this helped
Check out Harrison Hightower's videos on RUclips. He has some of the best videos out there.
They are cheap couse before they can cool down from the casting sand they are painted up and boxed.
~~~~~~~ Fixed mine 3hrs in !!! Whew ... .. .
If you can get these running and polish some minor parts they are very worth the effort. I know a couple guys that have 6k"s in a machine but still use this one for zippers and such. They have there place if you think about it. Also, I have sewn one patch on a medic bag ... very nice job looks pro. 12 jeans with many holes very enjoyable to run versus tearing open a pant sleeve to cover a hole with my Phaff 130.
FIXING
I would make notes regarding thread size, polishing edges centering needle in the hole, making sure the needle sits close to the rotating bobbin/shuttle, etc.
After breaking thread so many times I finally found where it was snapping. The upper thread slides under the bobbin then it snaps! Wish I had time to video.
What may help I really hope someone understands my chicken scratch.
Slide cover plate open set the foot to zero so it just pops up and down ..no walking. Cut the thimble thread to 1/4 inch, leave in place. Then cycle the sewing machine holding the upper thread as it is running like normal, so you can see this thread running cycles. The thread loops as you turn the machine. At least in this way, you may see where the thread is catching. I did for about 30min. Found this:
1st It was binding on the metal hook, not the actual point but between the spring tensioner for the bobbins lower thread... flatten the spring plate. fixed that!
still more..
2nd as thread reached TDC of (Shutter, Rotary Hook Bobbin rotation), before the loosening of the thread for needle take-up.
(cycle and see what I say).
It was catching as it slides under the bobbin. At this time it was also catching on the side walls (no room at all for thread between the two, so it will snap apart).
I cleaned up the edges several times........ Helped some.
(Also if out of timing, .. "retarded", the thread may not be going over hump TDC ... not fare enough to not bind.... thread will pull on the hook & thimble set, against casted part) binding the two against the wall. Does not take much at all!
Timing:
3rd Pull the thimble off. (Shutter must be sitting on the correct gear teeth/tooth)... Watch several cycles with the upper thread in place.
For me, it was about 30-40 times.
Youll see that there is a lull where nothing turns THEN.. needle picks up. Use a magnifying glass if available.
Check to see if needle eye is just at the bottom of thimble base) But more importantly... The Shutter should be almost covering the needle just as the needle goes up... shutter will sit still right beside the needle before the needle goes up. (That's where I time my unit) You can loosen the 2 nuts on machine lower arm to lengthen shorten the stroke on the linear gear shaft. To adjust the shutter timing just right it may take 3-4 or 5 times. (But... the shutter must be sitting on the correct drive gear teeth)
With enough time, you can figure this out too. Once you think you've got it adjusted, Place the Rotary Hook and Bobbin back on.
4th Cycle the machine to watch the needle and shutter...... now look at the hump or protruding part of the rotary hook.
between that hump and the shutter mating, is a small gap/open space... The needle should be centered between the two !!!
You may have to retime once more! If the shutter and Hook are too retarded.. not advanced OR to fare from the needle..the thread in my case will catch on the hump of the hook plate, between it and the cast metal wall.. all action stops or thread breaks.
So you'll need to cycle/turn for some time and see where it is catching.
Watching an animation of these parts working will help very much. Most of the older units work the same way.
ruclips.net/video/zyud1pxs3rg/видео.html
This would be looking at your machine parts from the bottom if it were a patcher machine.
I picked up two of these machines Fine tunning, replacing hardware, grinding & polishing both. Going to selling one to make up for some cash. The unit I keep I will add a step motor to. $260 bucks and I should have a very nice machine. the old singers are selling for about 7 to 900 now, yes much better but beyond my reach.
What a highly informative post. Thank you sir for your time and energies.
Brilliant post! Now what is chicken scratch?
I have had the same problem, couple of stitchs then the thread breaks as it comes out of the leather. Turns out my
needle was in backwards. The flat edge of the needle goes flat into the slot facing towards the locking screw. once i
corrected that the machine works very well.
i suppose by now u have figured it out 12 o clock on the flywheel and 3 o clock bobbin carrier
I think you might have a timing problem.. Mine did time better at the down position on the crank
Its all about timing
currently having the same problem, did you ever figure it out?
Either the bobbin isn't threaded correctly or the needle is wrong size (either too long or too short). Ive been sewing for 30 years.
Thats a long time sewing! Do you ever take a break to eat and sleep? Im only joking... Good advice by the way!
please help, I am having the same problem. what have you done if you got it fixed. I have tried all the fixes below. What worked for yours?
Look for a burr or a sharp spot. It doesn't take much. A small, fine file, or emery cloth may fix it.
Y’all don’t know what you’re doing, that’s the problem.
That was a cut more than a break. My machine won't sew with regular (nylon, polyester, or cotton) thread even if I skip a tensioner (mine also has two. I bent the guide wires to work better and easier.). I've been using a spool of black that came with the machine. I also rubbed the bobbin all over with 400 grit sand paper so no edges would cut my skin (or a piece of scrap leather). I did not pull the bobbin guide or widen any holes. I'll probably try using light weight fishing line.
Hi. The walking foot has a terrible teeth make the work so ugly. Did you make any modification?
Its not set up right I can see that here. Bobbin thread should be coming out of the side, not the hole where the needles coming through. check tension spring, it could be to tight.
Did you get this working?
Hi your thred is not free running make or get your self a thred stand I made one out off a brazing wire and a heat shrink
Maybe I can help you, contact me if you still have same problem
If you see this message can you please help me out
You can't use yarn on a sewing machine put the right thread on it then troubleshoot
I'm really sorry , but you are so clumsy with everything. No wonder you're having so much trouble.
You bought the wrong machine.
Thats hard to say realy, easy to write! 😁
People need to stop wasting money on these Chinese junk machines and buy an old Singer 29K. I was looking into getting one of these patching machines but thankfully watch lots of youtube videos like this one and read the comments of 100s of other people having the same problems just like this one.
@s/y Willemijn
Cecil Gabriel
1 second ago
@s/y Willemijn A friend bought one of these machines a year ago and couldn't make it sew. He brought it to me a couple days ago to see what I could do with it. A couple hours of polishing parts and fine tuning it was sewing as good as any machine. I called him and told him to come check it out. He couldn't believe the way it sewed. I am going to order one for myself. They definitely take some work and knowledge of how a sewing machine operates helps immensely.
I bought one and it took a couple hours of tuning it to get it to sew but now it sews great. Was fun tinkering with it but you do need to understand sewing machines if plan on doing it yourself.
Its always easier to blame the song for the bad singing
I would agree, but how available do you think the Singer 29 machines are?