TOWA Adjustment -- need help
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 640
I purchased a TOWA (bobbin case tension gauge) last year and am trying to figure out how to use it. I am trying to set the tension on my longarm (Tin Lizzie). Oh, if it matters, I have the TOWA TM-3 model.
I was able to get the bobbin in correctly, but I don't know what the tension strength should be. It's currently at 200. Is it too tight? too loose? just right?
I was able to get the bobbin in correctly, but I don't know what the tension strength should be. It's currently at 200. Is it too tight? too loose? just right?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2,189
Everything I have read says to get your tension right THEN use the TOWA to find your magic number and adjust the rest of your bobbins to that number.
Are you having problems with your tension? If you are getting loopies on the botton, it's your top thread. On the top loopies it is your bobbin (usually). I try to just play with top thread mostly..... Also some of these machines (mid/long arms that is) have a tendency to loose tension at the end of bobbins, so always start with a full bobbin.
Good luck!
Are you having problems with your tension? If you are getting loopies on the botton, it's your top thread. On the top loopies it is your bobbin (usually). I try to just play with top thread mostly..... Also some of these machines (mid/long arms that is) have a tendency to loose tension at the end of bobbins, so always start with a full bobbin.
Good luck!
#3
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Location: Wichita Falls, TX
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Okay. Makes sense. I heard to get the bobbin tension correct first, then adjust the top tension. That's what I'm trying to do, but I'm unsure about what I'm doing.
I have the bobbin thread tense enough that when holding the thread holds unless I gently bounce it. Does that sound right?
I have the bobbin thread tense enough that when holding the thread holds unless I gently bounce it. Does that sound right?
#4
When the bobbin is in the Towa, it shouldn't bounce - that's a sign of a warped bobbin. For my A1, I like them around 180 to 200. Start there, then adjust your top tension to work with that.
Superior Threads has now added a top thread tester. They also have a chart for each type of machine and what the settings should be for top and bottom threads. You might want to check there.
HTH!!!
Superior Threads has now added a top thread tester. They also have a chart for each type of machine and what the settings should be for top and bottom threads. You might want to check there.
HTH!!!
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 3,291
Originally Posted by Shelley
Superior Threads has now added a top thread tester. They also have a chart for each type of machine and what the settings should be for top and bottom threads. You might want to check there.
HTH!!!
HTH!!!
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2,189
Originally Posted by AudreyB
Okay. Makes sense. I heard to get the bobbin tension correct first, then adjust the top tension. That's what I'm trying to do, but I'm unsure about what I'm doing.
I have the bobbin thread tense enough that when holding the thread holds unless I gently bounce it. Does that sound right?
I have the bobbin thread tense enough that when holding the thread holds unless I gently bounce it. Does that sound right?
Tension setting is very tedious....
#7
Check out these videos on tension guages from Superior Threads! Hope it help!
http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/tension-gauge/
http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/tension-gauge/
#8
Originally Posted by KathyAire
Originally Posted by Shelley
Superior Threads has now added a top thread tester. They also have a chart for each type of machine and what the settings should be for top and bottom threads. You might want to check there.
HTH!!!
HTH!!!
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 640
Originally Posted by Shelley
Originally Posted by KathyAire
Originally Posted by Shelley
Superior Threads has now added a top thread tester. They also have a chart for each type of machine and what the settings should be for top and bottom threads. You might want to check there.
HTH!!!
HTH!!!
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