SINGER MODEL 404 MINI SERIES-ALL ABOUT TENSION PART 14d INSPECT & REPAIR TENSION ASSEMBLY PARTS

[@jeremiahsgrotto9156]

It's refreshing to see someone who really knows what they are doing working on this stuff. So many of these other youtube videos drive me nuts the way they butcher what they are supposedly fixing. I was an industrial repair technician for over 22 years and met a lot of "hammer mechanics" over the years. You can get screws through Granger and McMaster Carr, you could even change over to hex heads. Allen wrenches are so much more dependable than flat heads

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks for commenting. I've never had luck finding screws to replace the size/threading patterns of the Singer ones. I recently learned of McMaster Carr and will find time to look at their offerings.

[@fawnlarabee2200]

Hello Andy. I am restoring a 404 that I just bought right along with your videos. You are so easy to follow along with! I got a little ahead of myself and cleaned all of the tension parts with Krud Kutter and then I got to the part where you told us to never use Krud Kutter on the tension discs because it makes them too slippery. Since the deed has already been done, is there something else I should wash them with to make them less slippery? I’m not sure how to proceed. Thanks!

[@andytubesewing1953]

It's OK and no worries. If the assembly is on the machine when I clean it, I usually use alcohol. When I take the assemble off the machine I ALWAYS use Krud Kutter on the discs. The cleaner they are the better. What I was trying to say @ 21:47 was that you want the discs to be clean. If there is rust you can use the rust remover, but you want the discs to be clean and dry, without any residue from any cleaner or any type of oil left on the discs. If you cleaned your discs with KK then rinsed them with water they are ready to be reinstalled. I'm sorry for any confusion I caused. Thanks for asking, and for watching my channel and I hope you are enjoying working on the 404.

[@fawnlarabee2200]

Thank you for replying so quickly. I am thoroughly enjoying the whole process. I wouldn’t have ever attempted it without your videos and I would have really missed out. Thanks for taking the time to make them!

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@fawnlarabee2200 You are welcome, Fawn. Thank you for saving that Model 404. I hope you enjoy it so much you will find another Vintage Singer Machine to work on. Maybe a 403A, or a pretty 337 or 347. Take Care.

[@sebastianobaruffolo3350]

Thanks. It helped me a lot.

[@andytubesewing1953]

I'm glad you found the video and thanks for your comment. Stop by any time. 500 more videos if you are stuck at home. Be safe.

[@kelsey.b.anthis]

Andy, I have accomplished a full restore on a Singer 404, thanks to your videos. Can you tell me why it is that a Singer 401 tension would make micro adjustments compared to the 404 tension? Does it just move the tension discs that much less per turn or something? I am unfamiliar with the 401 upper tension assembly. Where did you learn all these things? Are you using some types of service manuals? Keep up the good work.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Congratulations on your restoration. Did you notice the numerated dial on the tension unit for your 404 has little holes in it? Some tension units have a tiny pin on the back of a knurled knob that fits into those holes. When you want to adjust the tension settings you can depress the dial back against the spring and turn the knob to the next hole and release the dial. Turn left for less tension or right for more. This is to "set" the tension and is different from turning the dial to a higher or lower number as you are sewing. Here is a video showing what I mean: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHdoX9_dtutbrs To do that on a 404 you have to loosen the set screw on the cap then turn the adjustment flange and reassemble. If you aren't happy with the adjustment you have to do it all over again. With the pin system, it is extremely easy to push back, turn the pin into the next hole and release. I did electro-mechanical work for 30+ years as a Telecom Tech. Working on sewing machines is a longtime hobby as my wife owns several and they need service/repair. I befriended a couple of Singer Repairmen in the past who are/were a wealth of information. On machines I get stuck on I go here to see if they sell a service manual: manualsoncd.com/ also store.tandtrepair.com/ and there are vendors on eBay that sell printed reproductions of manuals, maybe Amazon too but I don't shop there. Thanks for watching my channel.

[@kelsey.b.anthis]

@@andytubesewing1953I appreciate the information. Do you have a video on the bottom tension at the bobbin? Specifically what do you consider a good adjustment weight for the bottom tension? I have a similar pocket scale for dialing tension in to 15 grams at between 0 and 1, like the video. What do you think a good weight would be, or what bobbin tension do you sell restored machines at? I will be sewing woven wool fabric so not too thick which is why I set it at 15 grams at .5. Is the tension supposed to match between the upper and lower thread? So 35 upper 35 lower gram force for example? I am doing more research now on the subject. Also, It seems when I sew at say 12 stitches per inch the lever seems to bob up and down real fast, that controls stitch length, is that normal? The stitches seem uniform. I have learned so much from this channe. I am reading as much as I can about bottom tensions from google searches.

[@andytubesewing1953]

The most consistent information concerning bobbin thread tension that I have been able to find, written and verbal, is that bobbin case tension should be about 1 ounce or 28.3495 grams. I adjust bobbin case tension on a similar bobbin case to your 404 in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJnGpJmelqeFetE

[@andytubesewing1953]

The feed regulator/stitch length lever should never move or "bob" while sewing. Something is loose? You can review the 404 feed regulator videos, kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5aWi3uejbyljc0, and kzbin.info/www/bejne/apuXc6mPpbB4h9k and this one for model 301A which has the same type regulator and what to do if "loose": kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4LXeKqjhL6nn8U

[@kelsey.b.anthis]

I had found a spring on the floor and couldn't find it on the parts diagram, turns out that it was supposed to be apart of the bolt that connects and secures the feed dog / stitch regulator.