Singer model 513 sewing machine problems

[captainvideo462002@yahoo.]

This machine most of the time sews fine except that on some ocaisions
intermittently it will bunch up the thread underneath the cloth. I
removed the bobbin case and noted that there are two small screws on
this case. One is in a round hole and the other is in an oval hole. I
found that the screw in the oval hole was not tight. There is no
provision for any adjustment from side to side on the small piece
inside this case that holds the bobbin thread however it is possible
to tension the thread depending on how tight you tighten this screw. I
don't think it is supposed to be tightened all the way because when I
did that and tried to pass a thread through it would not go through.
I had to loosen this screw about one and a half turns to let the
bobbin thread slip throught the slot and then hook. I'm not familiar
with this adjstment,(if it is an adjustment). Could this be the cause
of the thread intermittently bunch? Can anyone please help me with
this? Also is there a more appropriate news group that I might try
that is dedicated to sewing machine repairs? Thanks, Lenny.

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:24:21 -0700 (PDT),
"captainvideo462002@yahoo.com" <captainvideo462002@yahoo.com> wrote:

This machine most of the time ...
(...)
Also is there a more appropriate news group that I might try
that is dedicated to sewing machine repairs? Thanks, Lenny.
http://sewingforum.com

<http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk>

The top and bottom thread tension are the usual problem. My guess is
the bottom thread is adjusted too loose. It could also be the presser
foot misadjusted or tripping the thread. It might be the feed dogs
(under the foot) slipping or falling apart. Hard to tell without
seeing it in action.

See:
<http://www.sewusa.com/Threading_Diagrams/Threading_Pages/Singer_Sewing_Machine_Threading/singer_513_threading_diagram.htm>
Note the last photo on the bottom. If the bobbin thread doesn't pass
between the feed dogs and then towards the back of the machine, the
thread will probably bunch up.

Search Google for "sewing machine thread bunches":
<http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080728180536AAogoPF>
etc...

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[PeterD]

On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:24:21 -0700 (PDT),
"captainvideo462002@yahoo.com" <captainvideo462002@yahoo.com> wrote:

This machine most of the time sews fine except that on some ocaisions
intermittently it will bunch up the thread underneath the cloth. I
removed the bobbin case and noted that there are two small screws on
this case. One is in a round hole and the other is in an oval hole. I
found that the screw in the oval hole was not tight. There is no
provision for any adjustment from side to side on the small piece
inside this case that holds the bobbin thread however it is possible
to tension the thread depending on how tight you tighten this screw. I
don't think it is supposed to be tightened all the way because when I
did that and tried to pass a thread through it would not go through.
I had to loosen this screw about one and a half turns to let the
bobbin thread slip throught the slot and then hook. I'm not familiar
with this adjstment,(if it is an adjustment). Could this be the cause
of the thread intermittently bunch? Can anyone please help me with
this? Also is there a more appropriate news group that I might try
that is dedicated to sewing machine repairs? Thanks, Lenny.

I can tell you that yes, that screw controls the bottom thread
tension, and should be adjusted 'properly'. For you 'properly' is
probably trial and error.

As to your 'bunching' (tangling) of the thread, I have no idea, I've
seen this and it is a PITA...

 

[Adrian Tuddenham]

captainvideo462002@yahoo.com <captainvideo462002@yahoo.com> wrote:

This machine most of the time sews fine except that on some ocaisions
intermittently it will bunch up the thread underneath the cloth.

It is usually the top thread which bunches underneath, check the top
threading path and whether the top tension discs are working properly
(they can be assembled back-to-front on some Singer models).

When it starts to do it again, gently pull the top thread where it goes
down to the needle and see if it there is some resistance coming from
the tension discs.


--
~ Adrian Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

 

[Bob Larter]

captainvideo462002@yahoo.com wrote:

This machine most of the time sews fine except that on some ocaisions
intermittently it will bunch up the thread underneath the cloth.

Check your thread tension. Sounds like it's too high for the fabric
you're sewing.


--
W
. | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because
\|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est
---^----^---------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

PeterD wrote:

On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:24:21 -0700 (PDT),
"captainvideo462002@yahoo.com" <captainvideo462002@yahoo.com> wrote:

This machine most of the time sews fine except that on some ocaisions
intermittently it will bunch up the thread underneath the cloth. I
removed the bobbin case and noted that there are two small screws on
this case. One is in a round hole and the other is in an oval hole. I
found that the screw in the oval hole was not tight. There is no
provision for any adjustment from side to side on the small piece
inside this case that holds the bobbin thread however it is possible
to tension the thread depending on how tight you tighten this screw. I
don't think it is supposed to be tightened all the way because when I
did that and tried to pass a thread through it would not go through.
I had to loosen this screw about one and a half turns to let the
bobbin thread slip throught the slot and then hook. I'm not familiar
with this adjstment,(if it is an adjustment). Could this be the cause
of the thread intermittently bunch? Can anyone please help me with
this? Also is there a more appropriate news group that I might try
that is dedicated to sewing machine repairs? Thanks, Lenny.

I can tell you that yes, that screw controls the bottom thread
tension, and should be adjusted 'properly'. For you 'properly' is
probably trial and error.

As to your 'bunching' (tangling) of the thread, I have no idea, I've
seen this and it is a PITA...

Sometimes it's just bad thread. My mom sewed most of her life, and
she always had a small box of bad thread that was used to hand sew on
buttons and such. It was strong enough, but not smooth enough to work in
the various sewing machines she owned.


--
The movie 'Deliverance' isn't a documentary!

 

[captainvideo462002@yahoo.]

On Oct 17, 6:26 pm, "Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terr...@earthlink.net>
wrote:

PeterD wrote:

On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:24:21 -0700 (PDT),
"captainvideo462...@yahoo.com" <captainvideo462...@yahoo.com> wrote:

This machine most of the time sews fine except that on some ocaisions
intermittently it will bunch up the thread underneath the cloth. I
removed the bobbin case and noted that there are two small screws on
this case. One is in a round hole and the other is in an oval hole. I
found that the screw in the oval hole was not tight. There is no
provision for any adjustment from side to side on the small piece
inside this case that holds the bobbin thread however it is possible
to tension the thread depending on how tight you tighten this screw. I
don't think it is supposed to be tightened all the way because when I
did that and tried to  pass a thread through it would not go through..
I had to loosen this screw about one and a half turns to let the
bobbin thread slip throught the  slot and then hook. I'm not familiar
with this adjstment,(if it is an adjustment). Could this be the cause
of the thread intermittently bunch? Can anyone please help me with
this? Also is there a more appropriate news group that I might try
that is dedicated to sewing machine repairs? Thanks, Lenny.

I can tell you that yes, that screw controls the bottom thread
tension, and should be adjusted 'properly'. For you 'properly' is
probably trial and error.

As to your 'bunching' (tangling) of the thread, I have no idea, I've
seen this and it is a PITA...

   Sometimes it's just bad thread. My mom sewed most of her life, and
she always had a small box of bad thread that was used to hand sew on
buttons and such. It was strong enough, but not smooth enough to work in
the various sewing machines she owned.

--
The movie 'Deliverance' isn't a documentary!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That was very good advice guys. I really appreciate it. I'm going to
work on it again and we'll see what happens. Lenny.