Singer 27 Treadle Machine Tension Adjustment

Fixing the thread tension on my antique Singer 27 treadle machine.

[@TheBobelly628]

I have a 27 and found when I pull the bobbin thread all the way up( after putting the spool into the case and sliding down then up) I have had problems with stitching and broken bobbin thread. So now I only slide the bobbin thread down in the case and NEVER back up. Then I put the case down in the machine and when I turn the wheel and the needle picks up the bobbin thread it puts the thread into the proper place and no more broken bobbin thread 🧵 😊

[@taylortomblin]

What a great work around! Yeah, it’s definitely tricky to get it to click into that spring the right way!

[@sigmacinnamon4506]

I know the video is a year old, so you may have already discovered this, but the loose thread on the barbell style bobbin is not only prone to yank and change speeds as it is used, but the fullness also makes it fit tightly inside the shuttle adding tension when it tries to spin and release thread. Barbell and disk bobbins full of thread should never rub against the shuttle or bobbin case. They need to spin freely😊. I have a Singer 1889 VS2. They are amazing old machines. Mine was half buried in Carolina clay out in a field. I was offered it for free after buying another old machine. Anyway, i guess it had been very well oiled and the oil had varnished all over it because it was not very rusty. I scrubbed it clean in a sink full of soapy water and dried it in the oven and quickly oiled it up before it could rust. It sews perfectly. These old machines are so nearly indestructible-its amazing! Enjoy yours!

[@taylortomblin]

That’s a really good point about the long bobbins! I hadn’t thought before about the tension being affected by how full the bobbin is. Thank you for the heads up! It’s pretty amazing how these old machines can be brought back to life isn’t it? Even when dug out of a field?! Amazing!

[@tkarlmann]

Couple of comments: I have, what appears to be, the exact same Machine as you! However, I just got mine, and I need to service/refurbish it first. However, I've learned that Model 27 does not loosen the upper tension when you lift the presser foot; whereas it does on the Model 28 -- this was one of the upgrade features -- as well as perhaps ALL modern machines do. To release upper tension on the Model 27, from videos I've watched, you press the silver button directly below the tension assembly. I never saw you use this button once throughout this video, including while threading! Perhaps your thread is not fully between the upper tension discs? Also, while winding the bobbin/shuttle, you did not loosen the drive wheel lock knob -- causing the needle to go up & down while threading the bobbin/shuttle. I see this video was a year ago. How is your machine faring presently?

[@taylortomblin]

Thank you for your questions! Yes, I have since learned about the silver button. One doesn’t need to press it when you thread the machine, but you will when you need to remove your top thread to change it out. The thread seats into the disks fine when you thread it, but once it’s there it’s hard to pull out without pressing the button. Secondly, the stop motion knob. Mine doesn’t work right. When I turn the knob, the needle still goes. I’ve consulted a professional about this and was advised that removing the hand wheel and cleaning everything throughly should take care of it. Normally the culprit is just that it has a bunch of garbage in there. I haven’t yet gotten up the courage to try just yet, but I know I will have to before I next use my machine. How do you like your 27? Will you be working on yours too?

[@tkarlmann]

@@taylortomblin Stop motion knob: The screw near the edge of the inner handwheel knob is a stop screw. loosen the screw only as far as needed to unscrew that silver knob. There is a washer behind the stop motion knob, and if it is not positioned correctly, locking and unlocking the needle is not possible. There are six different ways that washer can be installed -- only one is correct. Let me cut that in half for you: The small tabs on the inner-most hole in the washer must face outwards. Then, you try three combinations, and only one will work. Shocked that your professional didn't tell you that -- unless the Model 27 works differently than the Model 66 or Model 60. (doubtful) Tension Button: As far as I know, that button may (must?) be depressed to release thread tension -- as the presser foot lever does not -- yet I saw you drawing thread without doing this. My machine is in very rough shape, and that button isn't even installed -- however, I think I saw it in a box of parts that came with it. I will be working on my machine myself. There is a fair amount of woodworking and cleaning to be done on mine but fundamentally my machine is sound (no rust!). It needs a belt, bobbin/shuttle, and installing that tension-release button. I'm really loving mine -- just to have a machine that was made in 1891 is a thrill! How is yours sewing for you? Other Tips: Never use a loosely-wound shuttle like you showed; and you should never have to fight with your bobbin case. Do you have PDF versions of the Model 27's manual?

[@taylortomblin]

Yep, sounds like the same rundown my professional gave me when I emailed him and asked. He gave me a whole set of instructions on how to clean the balance wheel and get the stop motion knob working. There’s a lot of videos about how to take apart the tension assembly and put it back on. I imagine you’ve found some good ones to help you get your tension button back in place. It is correct that the 27s do not release tension without pushing the button. I learned how to use it properly as I did more sewing with this machine. It’s pretty fun to use an antique machine for sure! I have copies of the user’s manual, accessories booklet, and the adjuster’s manual for my machine. I printed them all out and put them in a binder. I actually have some original documentation for it, but they have a fair bit of wear so I stored them and will use my printed copies instead. The best part about that is I can make notes on them for myself later.

[@jeannenabozny5675]

Great to know Im not the only one struggling with tension issues. Ive sewn on mine 45 years! Still have issues sometimes. This time no matter what I did nothing worked. After seeing how your thread on your shuttle could be held up and not drop quickly really helped. My shuttle no longer would tighten enough. So disassembled the shuttle carefully, wire brush any rust and with pliers, taking a risk, made adjustment to the shortest prong, reassembled and it works!

[@taylortomblin]

So glad you found a solution for your tension problem! I suppose everything has a lifespan and eventually anything ever that gets used will eventually get worn out. If your shuttle isn’t keeping your tension, or perhaps if it is now only just, you might also consider starting the search for a replacement. Having a spare before your original goes tits-up might not be a terrible idea. I’m glad that your refurbishment is getting you a bit more time out of the one you have though!

[@Isabel-of4wq]

Taylor thanks so much for sharing this. I just received my Singer 27 (1892) last week and spent this evening doing EXACTLY what you’re doing on this video! I bought machine and then discovered (from KZbin videos) that the tension mechanism on my machine was assembled incorrectly (sometime in the last 130 years) and so I re-assembled it. Voila, tension worked MUCH better. It’s not perfect yet but we’ll get there … and finally the juxtaposition of your 21st century Apple watch and 19th century sewing machine just had me in stitches (no pun intended)!

[@Isabel-of4wq]

For those who may not be aware at 14:50 and other times when Taylor pulls out the fabric before snipping - the tension release button on this machine makes it easier to pull work out. Looking at the tension guide knob, the release ‘button’ is the thumb sized metal oval just under the knob …push this and the spring opens the two tension plates apart so you can easily pull extra thread and then remove fabric. When you remove your thumb its back to preset tension again.

[@taylortomblin]

Oh wow! Congratulations on your machine!! It’s such a fun adventure learning things that our great grandmothers knew. I imagine they might be laughing with us as we struggle through some of this stuff! I hope you’re enjoying your machine as much as I’ve been enjoying mine. 💗 Thank you for the tip about the tension. I’ll try that next time! I’m glad that this helps at least a few folks out there. It makes me happy. ☺️

[@KTG2014]

Thank you for this video, I was struggling trying to figure out my tension and reading manuals from the 1930s lol I just needed to see it done!

[@taylortomblin]

I’m glad I could help!

[@scottsews]

I think it might be the spool of thread that's the problem, these old machines need thread that unwinds in a straight line whereas the spool on top of your machine unwinds up and down and is heavy and the machines is pulling it so the tension can become uneven before the thread passes through the tension disc's, been there myself lol

[@taylortomblin]

I did realize this sometime after this video was made. I’m now using a separate thread stand and a binder clip to make sure the thread feeds from the correct place. That way I can use any type of spool! 😁

[@scottsews]

@@taylortomblin Great to know you got it sorted, you have a beautiful machine I'm very envious!

[@taylortomblin]

Aww, thanks! I really do love this machine, and I’ve definitely caught the bug for loving antique machines!

[@KTG2014]

@@taylortomblin would you be able to describe this more? Reading this I realize I have a modern thread spool and I'm sure how that works with a binder clip and new thread stand

[@taylortomblin]

Oh sure! So, my modern thread stand sits just behind the machine, and I have a binder clip on the thread spool. I run the thread through the loop of the binder clip so it stays in the right place. Then I thread the machine like normal from there.

[@marywoods9196]

I want to thank you so much! I struggled for hours on my machine!! You showed me what was wrong what a relief I love my treadle again!

[@taylortomblin]

So glad I could help! 😁💗😁💗

[@anthonybruno2069]

I have a question, do we have to oil the vibrating shuttle bobbin .?

[@taylortomblin]

I’m not an expert but I don’t think so. If one oiled the bobbin then the bobbin thread would get oily and so would whatever fabric you’re trying to sew. I can’t imagine that would be a good thing…

[@DianeZajac]

Can you slowly thread a bobbin. Not sure how to do it correctly

[@taylortomblin]

Oh! You mean a demonstration on how to load the bobbin and pull up the thread? Or do you mean how to use the bobbin winder itself?

[@sarahmooie]

anybody have any idea why my needle is hitting the bobbin case, it seems to be sat right, I've checked the needle hasnt slipped down and it sits fine. only just started doing it, also keeps snapping the top thread.

[@taylortomblin]

Just to remind you, as I try to show in my videos that I’m pretty new to these machines, I am not a professional so I’m taking a stab in the dark on this at best. If I had a needle hitting the bobbin case on my machine, I’d be looking at the height my needle bar is set at to see if maybe it’s pushing the needle deeper than it should be. If the needle bar looks like it’s correct then I’d start investigating whether my machine was out of correct timing. You’ll want to look at both a user’s manual and an adjuster’s manual for your machine to learn about these functions. Oh, and I’m assuming you are using the correct needle (brand-wise too, yes this can make a difference) for your machine. If it’s not any of these things, then I would be stumped and I’d take it to my favorite repair shop.

[@sophievautour8573]

I was given this victorian singer, but the bobbin and top thread won't connect. the top one stays on top, and bottom one stays undernearth. trying to regulate it. Would it be a bobbin problem, or a tension adjustment?

[@taylortomblin]

It’s hard to say with so little information. What model is your machine? Or, what’s the serial number so we can look it up?

[@sophievautour8573]

@@taylortomblin c2653741. that's the serial number! It's a very simple classic, Singer, with a leather belt fired by a pedal at the feet

[@taylortomblin]

So, it’s a treadle machine. I can think of five models of treadle machines this could be. The “C” series serial numbers unfortunately don’t tell us anything aside from that your machine is no younger than from 1908 and was made in a German factory. All the records from that factory were destroyed during WWII, so this serial number isn’t gonna’ help us much unfortunately. There’s another way to find out what model of machine you have. www.sandman-collectibles.com/id-singer-machines.htm Walk through the questions at this link, and you should be able to identify your machine. Once we know what model you have, we can try some basic troubleshooting steps as appropriate to that model.

[@DianaHarveyClark]

I have one as well, maybe we can help each other with learning how to use these babies lol

[@taylortomblin]

Sure! I’m happy to help where I can! I don’t check messages here very often though. You might want to friend me on Facebook instead. I’d get back to you much sooner. 😂

[@DianaHarveyClark]

@@taylortomblin I found you on Facebook

[@sauvageaux]

Tighten those thumbscrews. High tension... make them beg

[@baklqdes7882]

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