SINGER MODEL 404 MINI SERIES-ALL ABOUT TENSION PART 14f SET THE STROKE & TENSION OF TAKE-UP SPRING

[@daffycatbennett3555]

This was very easy to understand. I like being taught "why" something is done instead of being told to do it! This will make it easier to troubleshoot problems in the future. You would be a very patient teacher in person, I think.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks! I like the "why" of things. The take-up spring was designed to work a certain way to help form the stitch. When there is a problem, most of us go right to the tension knob without knowing the function of the spring. You are correct about troubleshooting; if we understand how things work it is easier to find what is not working properly. I did do lots of training during my career and really enjoyed it. I found that good students make a better teacher. Rewarding. Thank you for commenting.

[@kindasmurfy3481]

⁠I’m so happy to see your reply up there Andytube. I’ve just been enjoying your video’s so much. They comfort me in so many ways. Words cannot express my gratitude. So thank you very much for being the best teacher ever. I just love you. I love how you show the trial and error and explain so much in every video. I can’t get enough of them. You soothe me too because all this reminds me of my mom who has passed on. Thank you for being you and most especially for not being selfish with your knowledge. There is no way I can afford a service tech and you make it possible for me to understand what the problem is. Thank you so very very much. ❤XOXOXO!

[@andytubesewing1953]

God Bless your Mom. 🙏 Your comment made my evening. It's very uplifting and I can use that right now. Take care and thank you.

[@meganmills6545]

I just watched this whole little mini-series and even though I've worked a fair bit on my tension units now I still learned something really useful. All my previous learning had been to set things at certain angles and positions but no explanation of why. Now I know why and that will help with little adjustments when springs aren't quite as "bouncy" as they used to be but are still too good to throw away. This is quite handy for older models where the check spring isn't always easy to get (and when you do they're never new so "factory fresh boi-oi-oing" just isn't going to happen!). Thanks once again for making such excellent videos.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks for understand the purpose of this series. I want people to understand the "why" as much as the "how" of all the parts and settings of their tension. The first time I told my sister I adjusted the tension on her model 66 I though she would have a heart attack. "You did what? OMG, why?" Um, well... it wasn't working properly! That was when I first understood the mystery of tension and that people were just afraid to touch it. "It has to go to the shop" where they would brush out the lint for $20, haha. Thanks for taking time to watch the series and now that you know "why" you can always repair a tension assembly. Take care in NZ and hello to Clark. 😉

[@kathleenjmalmquist3015]

First, thank you so much for these videos. Secondly, your sister probably had a Home Ec teacher in school, like mine, that drummed it into her head to NEVER, EVER touch the tension knob. When I first began working on the old machines I was shocked that “regular people” were allowed to work on the tensioners….actually removing them, cleaning the parts and then putting them back on, adjusting them, etc. All these years later I can understand why Home Ec teachers didn’t want the kids fooling with the tension knobs… because then she would have to reset them before each new class 😄 I loved my Home Ec teacher and am sad that most schools no longer teach sewing or cooking.

[@mayselboatfield2821]

Thank you very much!

[@andytubesewing1953]

You're very welcome. Thanks for the comment and good luck!

[@nealchamberlain2196]

Andy I have to laugh at my self. My problem was not a motor but an incorrect bobbin threading. So I'm now sewing and there is way too much thread on the bobbin side. I assume this is a tension setting. Can you direct me to the adjustment of the tension video? I am do pleased to have this machine and to understand how it operates.

[@andytubesewing1953]

haha. Glad you found the trouble. Before making any adjustments, be sure you properly run the thread to the needle while the presser foot is up. If you feel the tension assembly needs adjusting I have a video. This video you commented on is part 14f of the playlist. Part 14 e is how to "Zerro Out" the assembly properly and you can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH2YepenZpyJitk Sometimes the needle thread is pulled to the bottom b/c the bobbin case itself needs cleaning and adjusting. If the tension there is too strong it just pulls the needle thread right down through the fabric. Here is a video about cleaning and adjusting a Class 66 Bobbin Case that I believe is on your machine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/foWYiY1rmr6Me7M

[@crash44ca1]

Do I adjust the length of stay stitch on model 404 Singer machine? Thank you.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I've never heard the term "stay stitch" but I think it means back stitch or back tack like when you end a seam. On most vintage Singer models such as this 404, you move the feed regulator up to the top to reverse sew. I never tested on the 404 model but some models allow you to regulate the reverse stitch length by how high you raise the lever above the "neutral" or mid-point. The higher you raise it the longer the reverse stitch. I have also experienced where you MUST raise it all the way to reverse stitch and is it only one length, on the short side, and I think that's to end the seam with a "tight" short stitch. If stay stitch means something else please let me know. This video is all about removing and replacing the Feed Regulator if you can to know how it works. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ6rmGtse5xmfrs Thanks for watching my channel.

[@crash44ca1]

@@andytubesewing1953 Sorry to confuse you. I meant to say that my Singer 404 sewing machine will not stitch a long stitch when putting the stitch regulator down on the widest stitch. Top stitch I think I meant. Perhaps needs oiling? Has been a while since I did oil it. I am making a quilt, and drastically need the long stitch. Thank you so much for answering! Love your videos.

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@crash44ca1 Yes, it was confusing. I see you have now commented on a video for the feed regulator on a model 237 so I'll end this comment thread and reply to that comment.

[@chetnowakowski285]

does this pertane to all machines my vintage singers have no stop. let me know thanks chet?

[@andytubesewing1953]

Hi, Chet. The vintage machines I have worked on before had a stop on the tension thread guide. On the 15, 66, 99, 201 there is a stop for the check spring. It may be lower and less visible, but I believe it is there. Give me some model numbers of your machines Chet, and I'll try to give more information, ok? Thanks for watching.

[@terryfielding9386]

Some models perhaps like an older 66 that didn't have stops to adjust, but rather used a check spring that was just a barrel that slipped over the stud, and the barrel that fit into the machine also acted as the check spring stop...hope that makes sense - Thanks Andy, these are really good informational video's. One thing I might go as far to say is that the 404 being only straight stitch, check spring travel being important, but perhaps more so for those with zigzag, and allowing the loop to form right to left in the zigzag swing, and being off could cause skipping some. Plus...with the older models like this, using cotton thread versus polyester threads plays a little in it too. All good stuff - thanks again