221 top thread breaks
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 213
221 top thread breaks
My FW 221 sews like a champ, except the top thread keeps breaking. I've rethreaded it 20+ times, checked the bobbin, the tension, referred to the manual, but I am at a loss as to what the problem could be.
Any ideas??
Thanks,
Renate
Any ideas??
Thanks,
Renate
#4
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: San Lorenzo, CA
Posts: 5,361
can you thread the machine and then manually pull the top thread and the bottom thread by hand? Cathy (Mizkaki) showed me that you can get the tensions pretty close by doing this manually and feeling the force required to draw each.
They should be relatively the same.
Also I believe that these era machines have a tension release when the presser foot is up which can be an issue when doing that test.
DISCLAIMER: (I am much better at fixing machines than fixing sewing issues...)
They should be relatively the same.
Also I believe that these era machines have a tension release when the presser foot is up which can be an issue when doing that test.
DISCLAIMER: (I am much better at fixing machines than fixing sewing issues...)
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 255
There is tension difference when the presserfoot is up vs. down so take that into account. Is it every spool of thread or just one? If it's just one, I would test the tread for rot. (Even "new" spools sometimes have problems.) Unwind about 12" or so and holding both ends, give it a good firm yank. If it breaks, it's your thread. That's always my first check since it's easy to diagnose.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Thread breaking can be lots of stuff.
Burrs on the throat plate or hook.
Bad needles - they can be deformed from the factory, be bent, bad points, hitting on something.
Tension too tight - upper or lower
Thread winding around the spool pin.
Thread catching on the spool.
Dried up oil on the tension.
Dried oil or burrs on a thread guide.
Rotten/cheap thread.
Bent or rusty bobbin.
I'm sure there are other things can cause thread to break.
Burrs on the throat plate or hook.
Bad needles - they can be deformed from the factory, be bent, bad points, hitting on something.
Tension too tight - upper or lower
Thread winding around the spool pin.
Thread catching on the spool.
Dried up oil on the tension.
Dried oil or burrs on a thread guide.
Rotten/cheap thread.
Bent or rusty bobbin.
I'm sure there are other things can cause thread to break.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Springfield Oregon
Posts: 1,481
Not something that will show up in manuals, but these ole gals can get rust or burrs on the bobbin case/base, or hook. Watch the thread as it follows around the bobbin when you turn it by hand. Use a flashlight, see anything causing it to hang up a bit as you rotate the balance wheel?
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Tammi made a video about tensions maybe your tension is too tight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzFX...AyBQ2l-Mzkw7ew The tension is very similar and her info on adjusting the tension may be of help.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 3,992
You can check out Nova Montgomery's website, Tips of the Month. You may find a solution/suggestion for your problem
http://www.novamontgomery.com/feathe...month-2014.htm
http://www.novamontgomery.com/feathe...month-2014.htm
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