Free sewing machine service information
Sewing Educational Warehouse is pleased to offer free sewing
machine service information covering timing and tension
adjustments for some of the most common sewing machines.
We carry many service guides which include the factory
service manual. Our
sewing machine service manual page
has a complete list.
Any material presented on this site, downloaded or in print
form is intended for information purposes only. Any adjusting
you do to your own sewing equipment is at your own risk.
Click on the make of your machine for timing and tension
information.
Bernina
Brother
Husqvarna
Kenmore
Singer
Bernina
timing and tensions
830 timing Click on the
pictures to enlarge them
1130 1230 timing
Click on the pictures to enlarge them
170 timing Click on the
pictures to enlarge them
The
pin length for timing pin "43" is 49.5mm. It is 5.5mm in diameter. The
other pins just require the right diameter to fit in each pinning hole.
180 timing Click on the
pictures to enlarge them
The
pin length for timing pin "43" is 49.5mm. It is 5.5mm in diameter. The
other pins just require the right diameter to fit in each pinning hole.
830 Tensions
To check the bobbin tension, insert a
bobbin wound with medium weight thread into the bobbin case. Remove the
hook from the machine. Snap the bobbin case onto the hook. Hold the hook
and bobbin case by the bobbin thread and jerk the thread once or twice.
The bobbin and hook should move down a bit. If the hook does not stop
moving down the tension is too loose. If the hook does not move the
tension is too tight.
If the tension is too tight, turn the
screw counterclockwise ¼ turn at a time and retest. If the tension is
too loose, turn the screw clockwise ¼ turn at a time and retest.
Continue to loosen or tighten the tension screw until the hook only
moves down about ½” when you jerk the thread.
It
is rare that you have to adjust your bobbin tension. Mainly if the
tension spring was bent or for specialty sewing.
Top
tension
The top tension is controlled with the tension dial. Normal tension
is when the indicator is centered. After the bobbin tension is set
the tensions should balance in the center of the fabric as shown.
If adjustment is required, sew a test and turn the top tension dial
until the right tension is achieved. Open the top cover and locate the
adjusting screw. Loosen the screw and center the indicator. Tighten the
screw and recheck the adjustment.
Your
machine will sew on most fabrics without requiring tension adjustment.
If you are using heavier thread or very thick fabric you may have to
increase the tension.
The
result you should look for in tension is for the knot to be formed in
the center of the fabric.
1130 1230 tensions
170 180 tensions
Brother timing and tensions
Older
Brother machines Click on the pictures to enlarge
them
XL
XR and PS machines Click on the pictures to
enlarge them
Husqvarna timing and tensions
Tension 2000 6000 series
2000
6000 series timing
S2 drop in
timing
Click on the pictures to enlarge them
Insert a new needle into the machine. Turn the hand wheel towards you
until the needle is at the lowest position. Gently push the needle bar
to the left (not all the way but almost). Some models you set the
machine to the left position.
Slowly bring the needle up until the hook tip and needle meet. They
should meet as shown below. The reason for this point is the thread is
picked up by the hook from the scarf of the needle. If it picks up too
high on the needle it will skip stitches on the right and if too low you
will skip stitches on the left or center.
If
timing adjustment is required, locate the timing adjustment bushing.
Loosen the three screws on the bushing. The silver screw is a locking
screw and has to be tightened last after the timing is done.
After the screws are loosened, carefully move the hook to match the
picture below. Do not move the hook more than ½ turn as you may affect
the feed timing. Tighten the screws starting with the two black screws.
Recheck the timing.
S2 series
tension
Click on the pictures to enlarge them
2000 6000
series tension
Click on the pictures to enlarge them
Kenmore timing and tensions
Timing older side load bobbin
Click on the pictures to
enlarge them
Insert a new needle into the machine (flat to the right). Bring the
needle down to the bottom of its stroke by turning the hand wheel
towards you. At the point when the needle is just starting back up, it
should be positioned as shown.
The
second check will confirm if the timing is on. Bring the needle up until
the hook tip and needle meet. You should have a distance of
approximately 3/32 of an inch between the needle eye and the hook tip.
If
the needle/hook timing is off locate the adjusting hole behind the
needle bar area.
Insert a screw driver into the access hole and loosen the screw on the
needle bar block (1/2 turn). Move the needle bar up or down to have the
hook tip and needle bar meet as shown. Tighten the needle bar block
screw. Be sure to not twist the needle bar when you move it up or down.
Recheck the timing.
Timing 158 series
Click on the pictures to enlarge them
Insert a new needle into the machine. Turn the hand wheel towards you
until it is in the lowest position. Set the machine to right needle
position (or zigzag right side).
If
the needle and hook do not meet as shown, the hook timing will have to
be adjusted.
Loosen
the screw as shown. Some models have a 5 sided nut which requires a
special tool available through Sears. Carefully turn the hook until the
needle and hook meet. Make sure the feed dogs are in the down position
when the hook and needle meet. Tighten the screw and recheck the timing.
Timing 385 source front load
Click on the pictures to
enlarge them
Needle bar Height
Set
the needle position to the far left position. Bring the needle to the
lowest position. Slowly bring the needle up until the hook tip meets the
needle as shown. The distance between the needle eye and the tip of the
hook should be 2.9 - 3.5mm.
Hook
timing
There are two ways to check the timing on your machine. In figure 1, set
the machine on zigzag and bring the needle to its lowest point on the
right hand zigzag. Bring the needle up to meet the hook. The hook should
be just above the eye of the needle. In figure 2, set the machine to
left needle position. From the lowest point bring the needle up to meet
the hook. The needle bar should have moved up 1.45 - 1.95mm.
Adjusting Timing
Loosen the two screws on the hook drive shaft. Carefully move the
hook to meet the needle as shown on previous page. Tighten the screws
and recheck the timing.
Feed
Timing
To
check the feed timing, line up the timing line on the main shaft with
the screw on the feed eccentric. If they do not line up, loosen the
screw on the eccentric and move the eccentric until they line up.
Timing 385 source drop-in
Click on the pictures to
enlarge them
To
check hook and feed timing start by inserting a new size 11 needle. Set
the machine for left needle position. Turn the hand wheel to bring the
needle down to the bottom of the stroke. Continue turning the hand wheel
until the hook and needle meet as in fig. 1. The space between the hook
tip and needle eye should be 1.6mm to 2.1mm.
If
the hook and needle do not meet in the right position the timing will
have to be adjusted.
First check the feed timing. Replace the needle plate and bring the
needle down to plate level. The feed dogs should also be level with the
needle plate. Correct by loosening the two Allen key screws shown in fig
2. Adjust the needle bar to correct and retighten the screws.
Loosen the two Allen key screws ¼ turn, fig 3. Carefully turn the hook
to meet the needle as in fig. 1. Tighten the screws and recheck the
timing.
Some
models do not have screws and you must loosen the timing belt tensioner
and move the timing belt one cog at a time to set feed timing checking
after each adjustment, fig. 4.
Fine-tune the hook timing as in fig. 3
Check the hook for damage on the tip and around the edge.