Singer 99 and 66 Tension Assembly with Numbered Dial

In this video I show you how to put together the tension assembly for the Singer 99 and Singer 66 vintage sewing machines. The later 185 and some other models also use this style of tension assembly.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.
I hope you enjoy this video and find it useful. if you do please give it a like and subscribe - so you don't miss the rest of this series.
Find out more -
www.curio-heywood.co.uk
/ curioheywood
Music: www.purple-planet.com
#curio #crafttutorial #sewing

[@wendybenwell4725]

Thank you, what a very clear visual and spoken 'walk through' to disassemble and reassemble the tension system on my Mum's well loved little vintage Singer Sewing machine - now sewing very neatly and I have kept your Utube details for the next time!

[@Robert-jv8ud]

Very well organized and explanatory

[@minukashenminukashen937]

Thank you

[@rhondamercado7527]

Thank you so much. I just worked on a 185K and the tension assembly knob is exactly like this one. I was stuck on how to put it back together until I found your video. Again, thank you for sharing.

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

You’re very welcome

[@GaryT1952]

Well explained as usual. Really enjoy your uploads...enables me to work on my vintage Singers with a bit of confidence.

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

I'm so glad you find them useful!

[@georgemawdsley8685]

Very clear and well explained . Thanks for this tutorial.

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

You're welcome!

[@mushroom_coloured_stepthro]

Thanks, 'happy with that', as they say. Mine's my mum's old 185 but the same parts. Did get confused in the very first instance tightening the screw in line with the notch, but realised my mistake and it works brilliantly now.

[@kg7168]

Extremely clear and helpful, thank you! I'm working on a rather lovely old 99K that someone else "adjusted" several years ago... bending the tension assembly spline noticeably, and adding a too-tight notched drive belt that pulled the motor up out of its casing 😳

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

Ouch! Fortunately spares are easy to come by. Good luck with fixing it up.

[@ellu...]

thank you!

[@annevesterinen6706]

Thank you so much!! I was so lost, until I noticed I had the +- disk wrong side up...

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

Easily done. Glad you got it sorted.

[@annabelcowey293]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@roseannelajara8659]

Thanks for the video. I recently got a 99k and I was finally able to fix a tension knob that was just a bit off.

[@Tradesman1156]

Thanks for the help!!

[@lspr77]

Super helpful!

[@hannahgu3100]

Thank you so much for your video, it helped me solve the problem👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@JesusisKing222]

Thank you for the clear explanation of the 99k tension dial! How did you clean these parts?

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

I used my usual Swarfega - similar to Gojo non pumice and autosol metal polish - similar to Mother's mag polish.

[@peterhammond7535]

Hello. I have taken charge of my late mother's 201, and am learning fast about how it works, and how to use it. I understand that there are bad ways to service these machines, so have not used ED40, but bought a proper machine oil. Is there a similar consideration when it comes to cleaning bits like the tensioner?

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

No, not really, just make sure you get no oil on the tension assembly. I use a metal polish on the disks.

[@tonygravestock9323]

Thank you for your Videos, they are great and give me the confidence to try and maintain my older style 99 without a /dial - are there any differences, ie how do I find No4 without numbers ! ?

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

The numbers don't really mean anything - just a guide. You'll soon learn when to tighten or loosen the tension.

[@juanitabonita717]

Love your videos !!!! Thanks so much for uploading this. I have trouble with my 201K tension. Will try to disassemble the whole thing ! Do you by any chance Have an Helvetia? if so, please make a video cleaning, etc.... please????? lol

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

The 201 tension assembly should be very similar, if not the same. I don't have a Helvetia, but they are not rare here and pop up all the time so hopefully soon-ish....

[@juanitabonita717]

@@CurioByBSpokeDesigns Thanks. I think so. The tension do look similar. The Helvetia is quite rare here in Australia. But will investigate more. Shame I can not send you a picture. :-(

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

@@juanitabonita717 You can send it to me via my facebook page of the same name

[@marthasumi5906]

Thank you for making tension assemblies understandable! My question is, I purchased an early 99. There is only a threaded knob to adjust stitch length, and there is no plus-minus plate and no numbered dial on the tensioner. Tension does work, however. Is this normal for an early 99/99K? Thanks.

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

Yes, that’s normal. Most early machines had tension assemblies with no numbers.

[@Christy_D]

Thank for your videos! I took my 66 tension assembly apart but when i went to reassemble the last piece will not screw onto the rod. It keeps binding. I do not think its stripped but wondering if you have any ideas?

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

The last nut can be awkward. Sometimes if you hold it in place, turn the nut as if you are unscrewing it, then swap direction back to tighten it, it will go on. The two halves of the threaded bolt may also have been sprained apart a little. This can make the nut bind. I wrap the bolt with a small piece of leather, so not to damage the thread, and gently squeeze with pliers to close the gap a little. It really only needs to close up a tiny bit. I hope this helps.

[@Christy_D]

@@CurioByBSpokeDesigns thank you so much! I will try this!

[@pdeavers5960]

Thank you for such a good explanation. Can you tell me exactly how long the tension release pin is? I think mine has been broken off, or was replaced by a random pin at some point. If it is possible to show a complete picture I would be very grateful.

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

next time I take a tensions assembly apart I'll measure it

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

The pin is 1 inch or 2.54cm long - hope this helps.

[@pdeavers5960]

@@CurioByBSpokeDesigns Yes it does, thank you. The pin was replaced by a broken sewing machine needle. As I am the original owner and have had the machine for 50 years I assume the pin was lost by a repair shop on the only occasion I took it to be serviced 10 years ago. I'm not sure if I should worry as it works but I will check the length. The machine is a Singer 192K Spartan.

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

They often get lost. People make new ones from thin nails or panel pins

[@juanitamoulton6156]

@@CurioByBSpokeDesigns .

[@shieldsvalley]

Can I replace the whole original tension regulator that doesn't have numbers from a 95 yr old Singer 66 with a numbered one from a different machine & if so, which machine? Thanks

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

I’m not sure but I think possibly a later 99.

[@shieldsvalley]

Thanks so much, I'll give it a try!

[@dianeashley2007]

I have a 99k where do I buy the tension assembly and cover for thread

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

I suppose it depends where in the world you are. But try eBay

[@gmaltese]

my 99 and my 66 do not have numbers on them, but the spring is the same as what you had. but different spring then my 201, was they 2 singers upgraded with the new dial???

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

Earlier 99s and 66s had a tension dial without numbers. The ones with numbers are a later style. The 201 had, I think, 3 different tension assemblies, none of them are the same as the ones on the 99 or 66. I hope this helps.

[@gmaltese]

@@CurioByBSpokeDesigns thank you, btw love your videos

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

@@gmaltese Thank you!

[@amaliakomperda3798]

I have a 66 18 and it does not have numbers either. Could I buy some replacement parts from the newer version and replace it in the older version? Do you think it would fit?

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

@@amaliakomperda3798 I haven't tried it but I don't see why not. It may be better to replace the whole tension assembly with a later one.

[@redfaction2540]

Salut la tige est droit ou plat des 2 côtés et le téton sur la vis doit être sur le chiffre 2 ? merci

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

La tige est ronde et le cadran est idéalement au numéro 2

[@shaneparsons3910]

Hello. I have the small gear on the spline spinning is this normal?

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

The gear on the spline? you mean the spline itself? It should not spin.

[@shaneparsons3910]

The small geared wheel is spinning on the shaft. Which will not enable me to put tension on the spring. Are the two parts supposed to be one

[@CurioByBSpokeDesigns]

@@shaneparsons3910 Do you mean the knurled nut? if so that should tighten up

[@shaneparsons3910]

@@CurioByBSpokeDesigns hello. The main shaft that everything attaches to. A slot in one end. A pin that goes through the middle. (Foot release pin)a small gear that attaches to the shaft that the thread tension spring slots in to.

[@Benchandbeyond]

Thank you