How to put tension disc back together. Don’t know where a little disc with a little hook goes

Hi,
If you remove the needle plate, you will be able to turn the machine by hand and watch as the hook catches the loop when the needle is on its way back up. Make sure that the upper thread is between the tension discs and the presser foot is down.(if the foot is up the discs open and release tension on the thread).
I have included a link to the manual so you can see how the bobbin assembly goes together. Kenmore 385 12912 Owner Manual
I hope this helps.
Bob

Does it sew okay on a single or double layer as this sounds like the threading up is not correct to me. The grinding may be that the bobbin case isn't in correctly.

However, best way to diagnose is to start fresh, take off the thread, remove the bobbin case, clean out the rotary hook (under the needle plate) clean the feed dogs and remove the needle. Clean the tension discs too (turn to zero and floss between the metal discs with selvage edge of a clean piece of cotton scrap fabric, until its clean, no gunk coming out). Turn tension dial back to 4 or 5, your normal setting.

Now wind a fresh bobbin making sure it winds nice and smoothly, keep tension onto the thread spool to achieve this and watch as the thread goes onto the bobbin, give it a nudge so it fills the bobbin smoothly across the whole core, top, middle and bottom.

Now put bobbin into bobbin case and ensure it goes into the tension spring correctly. I can't see an image of your machine to know if it is top loading or front loading bobbin, sorry. But refer to your manual to ensure you get the thread fully into the tension device. With a front loading bobbin, there is a removable bobbin case. Ensure that this is holding the thread with enough tension, if you suspend the bobbin and bobbin case and just hold the thread tail there should be enough tension on the thread that the case just hangs, but if you give it a litle jolt, it should release some thread. Adjust the tension spring with a little screw on it in 1/4 turn increments until you get it to this point.
Try this link for some images and trouble shooting help on bobbin case. http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Thread_Tension_Settings.htm
If you can't get the tension right on the bobbin case at all, then take it to the Brother shop and buy a replacment one, sometimes the springs do fail on them.

Now put in a new needle and make sure you have used the right size needle for your fabric, ie medium weight woven you need a size 80 universal, but if it is a knit fabric like jersey you need a ballpoint 70 or "stretch 70" if its got a lot of lycra in it.

Now thread up the top thread and pay careful attention to getting the thread into all the thread eyes, particularly the take up lever and make sure it goes into the top tension discs fully (always thread with the pressure foot raised so the tension device is open). Lower the pressure foot and pull the thread just before the needle, it should feel very firm if the top tension is working right. If there is no resistance there, you've got a dodgy tension dial, take it for service/replacment.

Continue threading to the needle, bring bottom thread up to the top by turning the flywheel through one cycle towards you. Now hold both threads together at the back and test stitch a seam.

If you are still getting the noise from it and thread jamming up underside then the fault may be more timing related in which case you'll need to take it to a sewing machine technician too.

If you have thread loops on the underside of the fabric then the top thread is not under tension at all. If the bottom tension is loose, it will be looping on the top of the fabric.

So, raise the pressure foot, and rethread the top from the spool to the needle making sure you pull the thread into the tension device. To test, lower the pressure foot and tug the thread below the tension device, it should feel firm. Tension dial should be fine at 5 or between 4 -6.

Don't mess with the bobbin tension, it should not need to be altered.

If you manual does not mention oiling at all, then your machine probably has nylon gears and maybe an oiling wick that is topped up by the technician during service. If this is a top loading bobbin then you probably still can oil into the wick under the bobbin in the round bit that goes around (rotary hook), there might be a hole in the middle? If yes, just put a drop of oil into it AFTER BRUSHING OUT THE ROTARY HOOK AREA well. This is just as important as lint will dry up any lubrication in the machine, then matt into a felt and cause wear and malfuntioning.

The stitching issues sound more like threading problems. Here are my recommendations for good stitching. Good quality thread, keep it in sealed containers out of sun when not in use, it will dry out. Don't buy the cheap 5 rolls of black thread in the bargain bin, fine for hand sewing and tacking but won't do your machine any favours.

Clean the tension discs regularly, clean out the rotary hook regularly with a little brush and try to get the lint out of the machine, don't blow it further in with compressed air. Check your manual for how to clean the tension, on your machine (if the image above is correct) I can't see a tension dial. But normally, you turn tension to zero, then floss between the discs with a selvage edge of clean cotton waste fabric. Dye particles and lint from thread will shed and build up in the tension, causing issues. If your manual doesn't show you how to do this, then go back to your shop/dealer and ask them how to clean this part of your machine. Do it regularly, it really helps. And oil as per the manual (although it seems this doesn't apply for your machine). However, machine will need professional service regularly to address lubrication inside the workings so don't forget to take it in regularly for this.

Put a circular piece of felt on the thread spool holder so that the thread spool sits on this, it helps the thread spool to turn smoothly.

Change your needle every 4-6 sewing hours, right size and type for the project at hand. When you start a new project, put in a new needle. I can tell from the sound my machine makes if a needle has gone blunt. Have a selection of needles on hand so you aren't tempted to just use the one in the machine.

Take care when winding bobbins that you wind it smoothly and evenly across the whole bobbin, keep gentle tension onto the spool as the thread winds off to ensure this happens. Give the thread a nudge with your fingertip as it goes onto the bobbin so it winds top and bottom, not just in the middle.

Always cover your machine up when not in use, keep out of direct sunlight or damp. Put a piece of waste fabric under the pressure foot between it and the feed dogs when finished using it.

For good Sewing machine info on line I like www.sewing.about.com, there is good threading up, needle info and how to maintain the machine. Machines are all different but once youve mastered the basic funtionality and what parts do what, they all function in similar ways. The most important part is the needle, it does the sewing, everything behind it is just the machinery making it move.

Check your top tension dial setting is on 5, as this sounds like the thread is not in tension fully so is looping up around the rotary hook and not being held back by the tension device. Is the pressure foot lowered (this turns the tension on) fully and is the thread through the tension discs correctly. Lower the pressure foot and pull the top thread from below the tension dial, it should feel firm to pull, if it comes out easy, its not undertension, device could be faulty and machine will need to be serviced.

Also, check that the bobbin case is fully inserted into the rotary hook in the correct position, bobbin is in and rotating the right way and thread is into the tension spring fully.

If you have the manual pull it out, and carefully check the threading up instructions and follow on your machine - it is probably one of these things causing the jamming.

you can download a manual from here
http://www.ps2netdrivers.net/heirloom.edition/elna.6005/

If you are getting loops in the thread underneath check your top tension, thread is probably not into the tension discs fully or at all. If you can get at them, clean between the tension discs, turn tension knob to zero, then "floss" between with the selvage edge of a clean piece of cotton fabric to remove any dye buildup or lint. Cheaper threads will shed fibres as they go through tension so best to avoid those bargain bin threads, fine for hand sewing but not so great on the machine long term. If you can't get at the tension discs then consider having a clean and service at least bi-annually to keep them clean as well as the other internal moving parts.

Uneven stitches can be caused by a blunt needle - you should put in a new one for each new sewing project (4-6 hours sewing time) ensuring it is a sharp for wovens or ball point for knits. There is a great guide to needles at http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmachineindex/ig/Sewing-Machine-Needles/

Also review how you wind the bobbin, there needs to be tension onto the thread as it goes onto the bobbin, there might be a silver tension disc on top the thread goes around. Wind slowly, and apply a little pressure onto the top of the thread spool you are winding off - your scissors handle is good. This stops the spool bouncing around causing uneven tension on the thread. If the thread is stretched, then relaxed as it winds onto the bobbin, then it will go back to its normal position in the seam causing puckers.

Here's how I wind - take the thread from the spool across to the tension disc, then back to the bobbin, put thread tail through the hole on the bobbin and hold the tail. Pop bobbin onto bobbin winder spindle and click across to engage. Hold the tail and start winding (might be a button on your machine, or just the foot control), wind just enough to go across the bobbin core and hold the starting point. Stop and snip off the thread tail with your scissors. Restart winding slowly while putting some pressure onto the thread spool with your scissors curved handle into the top (I usually use Guttermann thread and they are tall spools coming up past the top of the pin, this might not apply if using a shorter spool but put some pressure onto it). Watch the thread going onto the bobbin and give it a nudge with your finger tip to ensure the thread fills top, middle and bottom of the core evenly, you don't want it all on the bottom or all in the middle.

Wind until 3/4 full, then stop, cut and remove from the spindle and return machine to normal sewing mode. If you have a mushroom type cap put it onto the thread spool now so the thread winds off smoothly as you sew. Also put a felt circle under your thread spool to assist smooth thread flow.

Also, have you cleaned in the rotary hook? You should brush this out each time you use the machine and refering to the manual, remove the bobbin holder/case and clean under it. All machines will get lint/thread bit build up in the rotary hook and need regular cleaning out to prevent impaired operation. Your machine probably also has a oiling wick under the holder, in a little depression in the middle. Don't touch it but you can give it a drop of good quality clear sewing machine oil every few months. Manufacturers would like you to give the machine to them annually for cleaning/lube etc but you can certainly do some cleaning regularly yourself to prolong machine life and keep it running smoothly.

Also, keep machine covered when not in use, never in full sunlight (plastic will yellow) and not in a damp area.

I hope that these tips help you a little, certainly if you try all the above and the machine still isn't performing as it should, then take it back to your dealer and ask them to test sew and confirm if it needs a service. A good dealer would do this for you ( I usually ring first so I don't get them at a busy time though). I have my machines serviced every two years and clean/oil myself each month in between.
Happy sewing.

These machines have a carbon fiber hook that get burrs or cuts in them from breaking needles or bent needles. Take out the hook (4 black screws on the black plate that surround the bobbin case) Make sure you don't drop or loose the SPECIAL washers that usually stay in the black plate. Check for any burrs or cuts on the hook. If you see any, you can sand them down with about a 500 grit sand paper, 600 would be better. Make sure you line up the tab on the back of the hook with the groove in the driver (the gray round piece). When you put the screws back in tighten them a little at a time. If you notice the screws have a shoulder on them and you can easily mistake them for being tight when there not. Make sure you turn off the machine and back on to reset the tension.

I disassembled the top thread tension controller consisting of 12-13 pieces, including 2 springs. Since they all fell out on the table I spent about 2 hours learning the proper stacking order on the central shaft.
With a combination of reasoning based on each unique piece shape and trial and error I put it back together, adjusted top and bottom tensions according to the instruction booklet for the machine, tested some stitching, made final adjustments and all worked well.
I don't know what was changed in the process but it worked.
Don

Hi - unfortunately, putting the tension back together takes alot of training - not only do you have to re-install the parts correctly so the hook is in the correct position and the bobbin is in the correct position when the needle moves down thru the needle plate and into the bobbin case to pull up the bobbin thread. Further, you need to set what called the timing - your needle needs to enter the bobbin dead on center and to a very precise depth. Technicians often use a special tool to set the timing, because each machine has a different a different hook and bobbin case.

I know this won't win me any points, but you will probably need to take the machine to a repair shop to have the hook replaced or reinstalled. If you mechanically inclined, you can search the web for a service manual for your machine - the service manual will illustrate how to replace the hook and specify the timing and needle depth settings.

Good luck,
Ginny

Place thread spool on the spool pin at back right top of machine. From there, thread through 1) rear thread guide (little hook), 2) front thread guide (front hook), 3) down and up through the thread tension dial from right to left so that thread picks up the thread spring check (the little spring on the left of the tension dial). 4) Through the thread take-up-lever, from right to left (the little lever that goes up and down). 5) Through the thread guard and guides (one on the front, one on the needle arm). 6) Through the needle, front to back. Good luck johntrev800 (at) yahoo.com

Tension on my White sewing machine, Model #1418 is messed up. Lost my temper and took it apart and now I can't get it back together properly. Every combination I try does not work. Need a photo or a better explanation of how it goes back together. Tension has been a continuing problem from the day I purchased this machine. Very frustrating! Thanks