The Thread Tension System of the Singer Model 353 Genie Sewing Machine

[@paolaspigarelli1960]

Dear Andy, I found what I needed! This morning I sent you (on your KZbin video "Repair and Reinstall the Tension Unit on a Singer Model 237. Making a new Tension Pin") an help request about how repair or fix the Tension Unit of a Starlet 495..... But , thanks to you, I discovered that the model 353 Genie is the same! .... and I coud fix it!!!! You are fantastic Andy! Your video are so clear and you explaine very very well! Probably I will hask you some more suggestions about my "sawing daughter :-) Hugs from Rome!

[@andytubesewing1953]

You've had a busy morning! I'm glad you found my channel and this video helped with your repair. Thanks for the kind comment. Take care.

[@paolaspigarelli1960]

Dear Andy, thanjs to you I repaired the Tension Unit on my Singer Starlet 495 (same Singer 353 Genie). Now I have an other problem with it :-( When I sew after 6/7 stitches there is a stitch that slides to the right. In the end the seam is all crooked on the right. I don't understand why this happens. What can I do? I thank you in advance :-) Paola

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@paolaspigarelli1960 I can't really diagnose stitching problems thru a comment section. In general, the first thing to do is be sure the machine is clean and oiled properly. The instruction manual should show where to oil. FREE COPY HERE ---> www.singer.com/search/support?title=495 I have 22 videos for model 353 and they include cleaning and oiling videos as well as adjusting and removing/replacing parts on the machine. Here is the playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLsCOZgzzaiKJvzcqn97Yh8lvx-tbdFl2p The zigzag motion of the needle bar is controlled by the width lever moving the cam follower and needle bar driving arm. If those are dirty or out of adjustment it can cause an errant stitch. Sometimes it is just that the controls of the machine are not set completely as shown in the instruction manual. You have the 3 small dials on the face of the machine, items 7, 8, 9 in the manual, plus the larger dials. You may think you have the dial set for the stitch pattern or needle position, but it is not quite locked in (often due to dirt or lacking oil) I could not find a Service Manual for your model here in the USA, but you can buy the 353 Service Manual for $8.99 here manualsoncd.com/product/singer-353-354-genie-sewing-machine-service-manual/ It is 64 pages and goes into even more details than my videos. When I got machines to restore and found problems like this I'd just note all that was not working properly, then wash and oil the machine and reassemble. I found overall about 90% of the problems would be gone. The rest would often be a worn part, missing part, or out of adjustment, and the service manual would guide to repairing the problem.

[@Malechiktiti]

🙏🏼 Thank You! Whenever I find something is not working right after tinkering with my Genie 353 I am greatful to be able to go back to your videos and track back the part I must verify if I missed a STEP. It never fails a screw was not tighten or placed or closed in The parts without placing them to the original working position. Blessings to you all! 🙏🏼🙋🏻🤗😍👌🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏽

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thanks for making my day with your kind comment 💖

[@TheKitteth]

This is almost identical set up in Sinher Stylist 833 (and maybe the same series?) But its located in the shell on the top. I have a 833 and have been trying to figure out how to fix mine. Thank goodness for videos like this! Bless you!

[@andytubesewing1953]

I'm glad you found the video. Models 353/354 and 833/834 and even 1021/1022 have a number of the same mechanical parts. I've never seen those other models here but the parts manuals have the same pictures and part numbers. This was the first time I'd seen a tensioning system like this and it was puzzling to work on, so I made the video. Thanks for letting me know it helped you. Good luck and happy sewing.

[@TheKitteth]

@@andytubesewing1953 I just used a pair of needle nosed tweezers to open the first part, and it came off pretty easily... there is so much gunk in there, Im amazed that I was able to get any stitches out of this at all! Haha!

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@TheKitteth 😉 Nicely Done! I can be a real eye-opener when you open parts 👀 I've only had live critters in one machine (spiders) but there can sure be 'gunk' inside. Carry on and good luck.

[@David_Williamson]

Thank you so much! Great explanation.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thank you for commenting, David. I appreciate you watching my channel.

[@David_Williamson]

@@andytubesewing1953 now every time i drop a screw or a nut i will remember you since you are the famous one for that 😂

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@David_Williamson Absolutely! 👍 I am internationally known for dropping those screws, especially the tiny ones 😀 I don't edit out my mistakes b/c we all can make them. You've got a great sense of humor and thanks for sharing it on my channel.

[@randyc8171]

All Touch and Sew 700 series and non Touch and Sew 700 series machines and many many Stylist machines and even more Singer models have that little tension unit. It is a real common tension unit on Singer sewing machines.

[@andytubesewing1953]

Thank you, Sir, for the input! I don't do the T&S or newer models so it's nice to have the information you shared.

[@sphinxios]

hey another great informative tv show. that looks kinda similar to the 700 series tension system at least from the outside, no i amgoing to have to look inside.

[@andytubesewing1953]

A very good call, sphinxios! You know your Touch & Sew machines. It is basically the same tension unit. Thanks for watching.

[@sphinxios]

well i am learning about those machines i got. sincei am the the guy that is gonna try and fix them when they break, not many that would fix these old machines here in sweden.

[@normanhey7552]

Hello Andy, I am a retired man who thought of taking up machine sewing. I acquired a singer starlet 354 but think there is something wrong with the tension because the sewing on the back of my test piece is all bunched, is it the tension or something else will I have to send it to professional for repair,. Please help if you can

[@andytubesewing1953]

It sounds more like a tension issue. Looping on the bottom of your fabric often means there is too little or even no tension on the needle thread. The first thing toi check is if you properly threaded the needle thread path from the spool to the needle. Sometimes is as simple as forgetting to raise the presser foot before running the thread. You can download a FREE copy of the Instruction Manual from Singer Support at this link www.singer.com/search/support?title=353 It has all the info for using the machine including threading, bobbin type, thread sizes for different needle sizes and fabrics. Be sure the bobbin area and hook are clean and free of lint/debris. Try slowing slowly in straight stitch mode with length in the middle, like 10 or 12 SPI. Let the feed dog move the fabric, don't try to help the fabric along.

[@percaine]

My model 719 has the same tension system..The way it threads is so much different than any of my other machines it threw me off a bit at first.

[@andytubesewing1953]

It threw me off A LOT! I finally downloaded the free instruction manual from Singer and was surprised the thread wraps over the top of the assembly instead of the bottom like all other Singer machines I ever worked on.

[@chrisreno5402]

I'm famous for dropping the tiny screws too, arthritic hands don't help. Do you know where I can get a replacement for the tiny set screw that holds the stud in place? Or the size that I might try to find one at a hardware store? I've looked all over & I'm afraid the dog ate it.

[@chrisreno5402]

Just found it after half an hour searching, but I'm having a terrible time getting it back in. It's so small I keep dropping it. I didn't mean to unscrew it all the way. Any suggestions?

[@andytubesewing1953]

@@chrisreno5402 Glad you found it. It's much easier to find the lost one than to find a replacement, honestly. I use a magnetized screwdriver to hold it while trying to insert it, and that helps. I magnetize the driver with this: www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Precision-Magnetizer-and-Demagnetizer-3601H/302880580 The best is a screw starter screwdriver.www.ebay.com/itm/161715539002?epid=1500069239&hash=item25a6ff4c3a:g:mdsAAOSwstxVY1Pr If you do not have those, put a drop of oil on your finger and rub it around with the screw, then try to press the screw into thole with finger and turn just a thread or two to get the screw started with a finger tip. If you put a towel down below the screw won't bounce away when you drop it.

[@andytubesewing1953]

replied to your 2nd comment.

[@chadandrews98]

Thanks. Great detail! My Stylist 534 has a very similar tension unit. I wonder if Singer eventually went back to the more conventional set up. Was/is this a dependable tension unit?

[@andytubesewing1953]

The 534 came out in 1975, 4 years before the Genie. I'd say it is dependable. A nice thing about it is that, other than the outer cover, it is all metal so it should hold up well. I just feel it is too complicated compared to say the tension unit on the 301, 401,500 models. kzbin.info/aero/PLsCOZgzzaiKJaeFB_GW97NsW5GYM7KD9U That style is easier to keep clean, and even take apart if needed for cleaning and parts replacement, as the take-up spring. If you look at modern machines, you can't even see the tension unit. It is somewhere behind/under the cover and supposedly adjusts the tension automatically. www.singer.com/machines I know most people sew with polyester thread nowadays which puts out less lint than the older cotton style threads did, but it still puts out lint, which is the enemy of a tension unit. The Genie is the "youngest" machine I've worked on and I like the style and portability of it, but it's just to new and fragile in some ways compared to the earlier metal models. My wife sews almost daily on her 301A made in the very early 1950s. (68 years ago) It looks and sews like it is brand new. I replaced the take-up spring and the dried out rubber feet and the bobbin winder tire, that's all. It still has the original carbon brushes in the motor. Once per year I wipe off the gear grease and put a little more on and take apart the tension and clean it and reset it to zero. She oils it lightly after each project and uses the lint brush and microfiber towel at the end of the session.It just keeps sewing. I think the Genie style of tension unit could last as long if kept clean and the mechanism under the cover oiled occasionally. Thanks for watching my channel.

[@مغربيةوأفتخر-ك4ظ]

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[@andytubesewing1953]

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