1. The first thing I
usually look at, is if all the threads are lodged into their respective tension wheels by pulling them slightly as shown in
Fig. 1. If it was not lodged properly the you will hear a "click"
sound or will feel it going in. Test on a off-cut piece of material, preferably
the same material or material with the same density, to see if the tension is corrected.
2. If step 1 doesn't
sort out your problem then try the next step. Check the threading on the
machine to see if the treads were pulled through the right loops (there are
usually color codes that you follow to thread your machine) or that the threads are hooked through all the loops,
that one is not missed.
3. If the two above
mentioned tips do not sort out my problem I then turn all my tension-dials back
to zero, and then turn them alternatively tighter and tighter until I get the
right tension. The settings might not, necessarily, turn out to be the same as
the ones given in the manual.
4. Check for any loose
threads that might have gotten stuck in-between the tension wheels. That can
push the tension wheels apart enough to create a problem. Just pry them apart
with something that will not damage them and blow into them relatively hard.
5. Clean the tension
wheels with a soft piece of sturdy or double folded cloth/fabric and then push
it in-between the tension wheels by holding the cloth/fabric on both sides and
rub softly by pulling the cloth/fabric from side to side.
Wax build-up between the blades pushes them apart, even though only for a
fraction of a millimeter and then you have the same problem as mentioned in the
previous tip.
6. If I have checked
all the above and I still have a problem, I then re-thread the whole machine. I
have also found that it works best if you thread the second from the right
thread first shown in Fig. 2, followed by the one far right ( Fig.3). Then the
one second from the left (Fig. 4) and then lastly the far left one (Fig. 5).
This method is not mentioned in all the manuals, but out of experience I've
found that it works on all brands of machines.
7. You might also want
to check if the needles are lodged deep enough into their casings or if the
tips aren't bent, worn off or broken off. If you can't see then test it by
scratching it on your fingernail. A bent or damaged needle will make deeper
scratches than a new, sharp needle.
8. When you are
working with four threads and the left needle's thread keeps on breaking it
sometimes works to replace the left needle with a thinner needle like a size 80
or 70, especially if you are working with stretch or knitted fabric.
9. You can also look
at what brand needles works best with your brand of machine. Some brand needles
just works better with certain brands of machines, no matter what the salesman
tells you.
10. You can also check
if the needles are facing the right way. The groove-side of the needle must be
turned to the front unless otherwise stated in the manual, but I have not come
across a serger/overlocker that works like that.
11. It is also a good
idea to work with good quality thread.
If not one of these tips sort out your problem then maybe it is a good
time to take your machine for a service or if it is a old machine or one that
works very hard then it might be that you have to have the loops replaced
because the thread eventually eats a groove into the metal of the loops which
in turn then starts to rust, which then will then make it very difficult to
sort out any tension problems.
And remember to oil your machine regularly.
Stay tuned for more tips next time.
