[DanTwoLakes]

Almost everything you will ever sew can be done with from 5 to 12 stitches per inch.

To release the thread at the end of a stitch line, rotate the hand wheel toward you as you lift the foot and pull the work away to the left. You need to get the needle up to the top of it's highest point.

When you start sewing, either hold both pieces of thread, or pull the hand wheel forward until the needle goes into the work.

[blwn31]

Next issue. Threading the machine. I seem to be having trouble with the second tension washer and spring. I have it threaded per the manual and the photos the previous owner supplied showing said detail. My issue is the thread keeps sliding off the spring and and getting pinched in between the washer and the machine. Has this ever happened to you?
The machine was just serviced last Friday. So I'm confident I'm doing something wrong or using an incorrect size thread?...

Keith

[blwn31]

Been watching lots of YouTube videos. I don't believe I have the thread threaded through the machine correctly. Not tight into the 1st tension disc and not threaded into the tension slot above the needle. Will check it out when I get home. Gotta love the Internet.
Like anything else, there is a steep learning if you want to do professional looking work.

Keith

[DanTwoLakes]

The thread size has nothing to do with it. I'll post a picture of the correct threading tomorrow. It would really help if you could post a picture of how you have it threaded.

[DanTwoLakes]

Here's how your machine should be threaded:

Pay particular attention to the two pictures on the far right. The bottom discs are called the thread controller discs, and the spring is called the thread controller spring. The thread goes over the top of and in between the two upper tension discs, under and in between the two lower thread controller discs, on the outside of the thread controller spring, and then gets pulled back behind the small curved hook on the inside thread controller disc. The thread can jump out of that spot and screw up your stitches.

[blwn31]

Ok I see where I went wrong on the thread control disc and thread controller spring. I will reroute tonight when I get home from work. Also, I will have to take a good look at the upper needle slot. I looked last night, but couldnt find it. All these itty bitty holes. Yours seems to be on the left side of the needle mount, I will look again.
Does this forum require a web host for pictures such as Photobucket.
Keith

[DanTwoLakes]

No, you can post photobucket pictures with no problem.

The thread guide right above the needle is very important. There should be a slot at the back left end of that thread guide to bring the thread into the guide. The thread needs to go down through that guide at all times for the machine to be able to sew correctly.

[blwn31]

I uploaded some pics into my gallery. I hope they post to my thread. Ok, my machine doesn't have the thread guide. I just inserted the thread in though the need from left to right. I have rethreaded the machine per your pics last night. I haven't had a chance to let it rip yet but, I did sew a couple lines slowly this morning and all seemed well. When I had it threaded incorrectly, the thread to the needle would break or fray real bad and then break. Could it be this is an early model 226R1 and it didn't have the thread guide?
Keith
http:

[blwn31]

Reposting images as attachments. Hope this works.

Keith

[blwn31]

I noticed on my desktop computer big screen that your last thread guide above the needle guide had material in it. Did it come that way or did you modify it?

Keith

[DanTwoLakes]

Your machine does have a thread guide just above the base of the needle. The thread breaking is caused by the thread not going down through the guide at the top of the needle bar. It's the little ring held to the needle bar with the top screw. The screw with the larger head on the bottom holds the needle to the needle bar. In the picture 2nd from the left, the red thread is going through the thread guide on the needle bar.

That piece of material in the thread guide is something I use in place of the felt that is standard. The material is called laminated deck skin. It has a really tough backing on it which makes it hold it's shape and last longer than the felt. It's main use is as a platform over seat springs. You can buy that piece of felt from a sewing machine parts supplier. I put sewing machine oil on it. I use quite a bit, but not enough to make it drip. In the picture on the far left, the felt is on the left, and the stuff I use is on the right.

[blwn31]

I'll have to take that apart, as I don't see a hole for the thread to go through. I'll keep you informed.
I took your advice and wound a bobbin with the same thread I'm using on top and things are definitely sewing better.
What material would you recommend to practice sewing in general? Canvas, vinyl...? Right now I'm using scrap felt from when I recovered my pool table. It is pretty heavy stuff. I was able to easily sew through 4 layers.
I spent my web surfing time reading all your Tutorials and other things you have posted. Great info and thanks for helping us DIY'ers.
Jack of all, Master of none. That's Hot Rodding!

Keith

[blwn31]

Took the thread guide off and sure enough there's a place for the thread to go. I had tried to push a piece of thread, then the tip of a needle with no luck. The guide was off center, so that's probably why I couldn't get the thread through.
I opened her up (full speed) and no thread problems this time.

Thanks for all the help thus far.

Keith

[DanTwoLakes]

Originally Posted by blwn31

I'll have to take that apart, as I don't see a hole for the thread to go through. I'll keep you informed.
I took your advice and wound a bobbin with the same thread I'm using on top and things are definitely sewing better.
What material would you recommend to practice sewing in general? Canvas, vinyl...? Right now I'm using scrap felt from when I recovered my pool table. It is pretty heavy stuff. I was able to easily sew through 4 layers.
I spent my web surfing time reading all your Tutorials and other things you have posted. Great info and thanks for helping us DIY'ers.
Jack of all, Master of none. That's Hot Rodding!

Keith

You can practice on anything, it doesn't make any difference. You're only practicing initially just to get the hang of speeding
up and slowing down.

[blwn31]

When making the locking stitches at the beginning and end of my stitch line, I get the bobbin thread doubled up and wound around the bobbin (I think). When I go to pull the finished sewn piece out, I'm pulling 4 threads instead of 2. Once I cut the ends, I can pull the looped thread out. When stitching fwd then rev, then back fwd again when is there a correct time engage this. Like needle up or needle fully down? How many stitches do you use to do this?

Keith