OVERHAUL SERIES #3: How to Remove the Tension Assembly For a White Rotary Sewing Machine

This video shows how you can remove and service a tension assembly on a White Rotary Model 77. I had not seen any videos online for this procedure and wanted to show how to do it properly. NOTE: The steps shown here will vary on Kenmore and other brand labels of this machine design which the White Sewing Co. produced for many decades.

[@hitoortega1616]

Thank you I like the way you explain you are excellent teacher

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You are welcome!

[@cameronolson3257]

I was watching your threading video on White 77 and got to the check spring. The thread wouldn't do what it was supposed to. I've opened this cover previously with much difficulty so when I found this video and got to the part where you warned about taking cover off I panicked thinking I must've indeed broke something (I initially thought I didn't have a chack spring)! After seeing this video I realized I didn't hook the pivot lever when I replaced the cover. Earlier today, before I watched this video I was looking all over the internet for a check spring to no avail. Well thecheck spring is there AND it's functional. This machine would've quickly gone to the wayside if not for your video's. I've thought this used to be grandmas machine handed down to my mother but it was my great aunt's who just passed that bought it from a fellow churchgoer. It's in unbelievable shape and comes in a cabinet which I've never seen after looking at over 200 pics online. You lift up the top to the side and out pops the machine. First thing I had to fix was the cable which pulls machine out.It's been a journey but I'm so close to using this machine I can't take it! Wish I could show pics of it. Anyway, thank you for videos. They are invaluable and convenient resources for a little known craft. Best regards., sir.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

So wonderful to hear Cameron. Yes, I had a Kenmore (Made by White) that had the cable feature and was installed in the most beautiful cabinet I've ever seen. (Someone went all out and bought the fanciest version from Sears on that one!).

[@debraclogston9379]

Thanks for the post. You held my hand(figuratively) and i took the tension assy apart and cleaned it. Now I'm getting the beautiful stitching i wanted to see, balanced and smooth.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad I could help

[@tracygoodman6525]

I have a white rotary 75 series Love it so much

[@dogwalkfinds9899]

Thank you for posting this video! I just bought a White Series 77 and a previous owner had not put the tensioner back together correctly. Your careful explanation of the mechanism was exactly what I needed. All is good now and I completely agree with you on the quality of these machines.

[@davereinders5932]

Are you a teacher? Like how you explain thoroughly.

[@lisahayden5008]

Hello and thank you. I used the video to remove my tension assembly and saw that the spring had popped loose. I got it back into position - I think - but would really appreciate confirmation that the spring travels below that little nub before going behind the round part (by "below" I mean it would run more towards the center of the whole piece, not be lined up right near the outer edge). It would also be great to see a close up of how the spring is meant to look from the outside when it's all back together. The way mine is now, I can just see it, which is better than it was before, but I'm not sure it's right.

[@gailbuda1636]

The Domestic 151 doesn't have the front part of this piece. Would the repair still be similar? Love your site!!!

[@suzanneaird4308]

thank you for this vidéo ... I have the same machine with issue ( pressure foot post ) no longer ajustable ... Im able to pull out the top knob as no longer attach to the machine ... no longer possible to adjust the pressure on my foot ... the sping is working cause Im able to push it down and hold it .. but if I dont hold it down to the position needed ... wont stay at the position that I want ... do you have a solution for that ..tk you :)

[@apolloknightly]

Do you have a video of the bobbin casing assembly?

[@Liz_Sews_n_Stuff]

As a tip....it is much easier to remove/install the tension assembly if you lower the presser foot while doing this. That will release the pressure on that lever making it MUCH easier to complete this process.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You are correct Elizabeth. I think I may have added some text to the video (starts at 22 min 36 sec.) to emphasize this fact since I did not mention it while making the video. Thank you for catching that!

[@Liz_Sews_n_Stuff]

Vintage Sewing Machine Garage I see that now...totally missed it when I was watching the video! Great video by the way....I have not found a whole lot of info on this machine so I was so glad to see this!! Wish I had found it before I struggled through figuring it out on my own, but now I know where to look! LOL!!

[@ilenes1852]

Hello - I have the this same machine in excellent condition. After watching this video, I realized the foot lever on my machine has more "play" than yours and might be causing issues with the tension adjustments. How can I tighten that lever? Can I access if I remove the metal plate above the tension assembly plate?

[@jackbendickson7487]

you are brave. i am just going to leave mine alone LOL

[@TheKittyhawk1]

is there a chance I could send you pics of my machine my controls are really different because I think its a much older model?

[@giuliana1176]

I need Help!! I have this exact machine and it has been working all year perfectly. All of a sudden it developed tension issues when I changed the thread to a different color. The tension is soooo loose. I have spent three hours trying to fix it to no avail. I haven't taken the machine apart just yet but I wanted your input as to why this sort of issue occurs .

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Not sure, but it is common for an issue to happen after rethreading or changing out a needle. I would start over with your threading and watch some of my videos on this exact machine and how its threaded. These are great sewers and very strong in how they were built. Threading the upper thread is a bit odd as its not easy to see that check spring. Also, check your needle to be sure it is still in its correct position.

[@LilithVonSandra]

Help I bought the same sewing machine White 77 your videos help me alot. I just started restoring it first thing I rewired it. But as I was turning the knobs they literally crumble in my hands. So I removed the plate where the knobs were and I removed the other piece be hind it cuz the crumble knobs had some old crusty glue I think. Now I am having a hard time fitting back the knob plate. Also looking for replacement knobs I was thinking of buying guitar number knobs. Please help me how to fit back the knob plate please

[@cameronolson3257]

Mine crumbled too. Good to know I wasn't the only one cause I was trying to be gentle and thought I wasn't careful enough.

[@debraclogston9379]

I spoke too soon.I was chugging away and the tension got wonky again. THEN, I noticed My knob was different than yours. i had the smiley face, with three exceptions, there was a divot in the plastic and it didn't set square to the machine and the wasn't a squared part of the hole for the shaft to slide onto. Oh and it has a slight crack in it. I'm thinking somehow the knob got cranked on and got left that way for a long time. Got a source for tension assembly and replacement knob? I mention tension assembly as there is some play horizontally . Thanks

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

In addition to Ebay, Etsy, I would look at Bonanza.com. You can also try this site. If you don't find what you are looking for, I would email the site owner as they may know where to lead you. FYI, these machines were made in very large numbers for long periods so keep searching. The parts should not be super rare as they can be for some other brands. Here is the site link: sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page44.html

[@volgadeutsche]

(Kenmore 117.591) My tension assembly doesn't wrap around to remove. How can I fix the pressure lever that will not lower the pressure foot.

[@ginetteroy1825]

I would like to know where i can purChase parts for my white rotary sewing machine modèle 77 in Canada

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page44.html

[@anthonyiron4635]

Just a guess but could that "gear" rotate and adjust tension on the spring to increase or reduce pressure on the thread. I know that there is a dial on the front to do this but thinking Singer tension dial, there is also a tension dial but when you assemble the tension assembly, you have a choice of what hole to place the pin in. You can change holes in order to tweak the tension assembly. I think this wheel is a way to tweak the White tension assembly the way you change holes on the Singer assembly. My guess.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I would say that's a pretty good guess Anthony. It would appear to need to turn, thus why else the gear shape? Like all other tension assemblies, it can be very helpful for the machine to have it overhauled.

[@ibsoarin]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage I watched this video with the intent of learning how to adjust the "gear" you mention at 28:40. You skimmed over this adjustment since the majority of people do not need to worry about the adjustment. I presume that this adjustment is the equivalent of adjusting the takeup spring tension on a Singer upper tension assembly. My White Rotary sewing machine has a very tight adjustment on the spring attached to this "gear". The spring has no give like your spring has. Will you be making a video to teach us how to adjust that "gear"?

[@vsquared666]

Hey! I recently bought one of these sewing machines and having been using your videos a lot to try to fix it up. I was wondering if you can do a video on hook timing. I had everything working perfect and then POOF nothing works.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello. That would be a good idea for a video. The White Rotary was sold and so I no longer have it to showcase. Are you sure your issue is the timing? There can be many reasons why a machine stops working.

[@vsquared666]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage to be more specific, i know it is the timing because the hook is not grabbing the thread from the needle, when I look under the hood I can see that the timing is off. I have no clue what to do to fix it on this guy, cant find any info about it online anywhere.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Its always best to have a machine in front of me to use in a demonstration video and so I am not able to illustrate this. But you might find some helpful info. at Yahoo groups and there may be some on Google. I know at Yahoo, there are a diverse number of vintage sewing machine groups and some are dedicated to specific brands such as Kenmore and Kenmore Rotarys. I found it very useful when I was starting this hobby and I still access it when I have questions that stump me.

[@kathymartin9770]

So if my tension lever / pressure foot up & down bar is not installed properly behind that inside bracket my pressure bar will hang loose ?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, that could happen or it could also not move at all.

[@kathymartin9770]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage that’s what’s happening- the bar/ foot assembly doesn’t move at all- and the lever hangs loosely- Thank you - now I have some idea- might have to venture forth and begin disassembling the tension system

[@josemenjivar4336]

great video!!!!! but damn less talk lol