Singer 201-needle too far to the left
02-03-2016, 09:43 PM
#11
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On my machine I have to turn up tension quite high on heavier threads like top stitch and extra strength. I even have it high up when free motion quilting, and I hear others have much lighter tension then. If you have a medium weight thread, sew-it-all type, you can set top tension to 4 or 4.5, then adjust bobbin tension for an even stitch. If you can turn the dial from 1 to 9 with ease and you can feel the tension gradually increase as you turn the dial it's likely fine (fully threaded machine and just pulling the tread through the needle, presser foot has to be down). If the machien was very grimy and dirty when you got it, the tensioner might benefit from a disassembly and cleaning of the parts; it's often enought to floss between the two plates in the tensioner with a thin rag or cotton yarn.
There is a neat way to set bobbin tension, by using a 1 oz. weight. I've just ordered one, I'm not quite trusting my kitchen scale filling a bag with beans, peas or rice.
There is a neat way to set bobbin tension, by using a 1 oz. weight. I've just ordered one, I'm not quite trusting my kitchen scale filling a bag with beans, peas or rice.
I'm glad to see that. Personally, with a machine that was not properly maintained (no signs of oil), I would rebuilt the tensioners so you're starting with a known good. I'm biased though because I do that as a matter of course with any machine that hits my bench.
I removed the presser foot and reinserted the needle even though I had changed the needle multiple times in the last month.[ATTACH=CONFIG]541786[/ATTACH] So here is a picture, not sure how well it will show up, I can try again tomorrow with better light if needed. The illustration you shared steighy is really interesting. I have to assume that dead center is the desired position, and yes, I went around and checked other machines we have , but it is sewing correctly, and catching the bobbin thread which surprises me.
, but it is sewing correctly, and catching the bobbin thread which surprises me.Dead center almost never happens - only with the smallest needles. What the illustration steighy showed is saying is that as the needle gets larger, the offset from center grows as well. This is because the scarf of the needle has to stay in the same spot for timing and clearance issues. As a needle gets larger though, the circumference of the needle also gets larger, and that extra is on the side away from the hook tip. Because this picture is from a slant model, it shows the needle sizes increasing toward the front of the machine. On a 201, the needle sizes should increase toward the right.
The thing is, if the needle was actually too far to the left, it should be scarring or hitting the hook.
02-04-2016, 05:36 AM
#12
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It looks to me as if the presser foot is not aligned properly. It looks to be twisted to the right. The sides of the foot are not parallel to the feed dogs. This will cause the fabric to twist as it feeds as well as cause interference with the needle.
Joe
Joe
02-04-2016, 01:43 PM
#13
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Either way, we still need to see without the foot to see where the needle is in relation to the hole in the plate.
02-05-2016, 07:23 PM
#15
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If the foot is in question, does the OP have any other feet for the machine and is there a similar problem with them?
I'm not familiar with other vintage brands and am not sure if one of those feet could be mistaken as a foot for a singer. Or if the feet were all that different. Or if that is a singer foot and it's wonky.
I'm not familiar with other vintage brands and am not sure if one of those feet could be mistaken as a foot for a singer. Or if the feet were all that different. Or if that is a singer foot and it's wonky.
02-05-2016, 10:58 PM
#16
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It is definitely the original Singer foot, I haven't tried any other feet with this machine. The needles I have used are Schmetz Universal 130/705 H-70/10. Here are a couple more pictures, don't think I have a future as a sewing machine photographer. [ATTACH=CONFIG]541991[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]541992[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]541993[/ATTACH]In the middle photo the needles doesn't look too bad in the hole, guess it is the foot that is off?
02-06-2016, 02:07 PM
#17
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Here is the answer from another Quilting Board member. The needle should be close to but not touch the inner or right hand side of the large toe of the presser foot. Since that is the placement of the needle, I will call it good. That also tells me that it shouldn't be centered in the space in the presser foot.
Last edited by sewblessed5; 02-06-2016 at 02:10 PM.
02-06-2016, 02:56 PM
#18
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You are correct - if it were centered, then as the needle size grew, it would have a chance of hitting the left side of the right part of the foot for exactly the same reason that the needle is not centered in the hole. 
That's exactly what I was going to respond before you found the answer.
I never did notice the foot covering part of the needle hole though. I will have to look a little closer at some of my machines.
With more and more photos of the machines, I also think your needlebar is not turned. It's too parallel with the plate and dogs. I'm going to say go sew with that gal!
That's exactly what I was going to respond before you found the answer. I never did notice the foot covering part of the needle hole though. I will have to look a little closer at some of my machines.
With more and more photos of the machines, I also think your needlebar is not turned. It's too parallel with the plate and dogs. I'm going to say go sew with that gal!
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