The Upholstery Forum

I used my sewing machine last weekend (Reliable 5400SW) and all was well. Went to sew this weekend (didn't adjust anything) and the thread tension is all wrong. I've tried putting in a new needle, re-threading the machine, reading the manual (!), and adjusting the thread tension knobs. (I didn't adjust the bobbin tension as the top thread seemed to be quite tight on the material and bobbin thread had a nice tension to it.) . I thought I had it cased ... but when sewing another seam on some scrap material, the issue was there again.

I've attached pictures of my threading setup as well as what it is doing. I've written some notes to myself on the material (where the thread adjustment knob is at).

I'm sure I'm missing something simple ... any and all help is greatly appreciated!

It appears to me this tension disc is jammed on something and is not seated on the thread. Also it appears you are running a ridiculously large needle or terribly small thread.

I would go ahead also and check your bobbin tension just in case you have lint or something building up under the bobbin tensioner.

John

@John Long - The thread is B92 and the needle is a 17.

@John Long ,
that tension disc is not at all looking in a proper position, what do you thinK? It should be sealed.

mdy25 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:19 am @John Long - The thread is B92 and the needle is a 17.

Ok. Sorry. In the picture you posted it really looked like large holes for the thread.

John

You definitely have something threaded wrong on that secondary tension disks. Make sure to look closely at you manual. Sometimes the threading instructions can be hard to understand.

@mdy25 ,

As said look at everything that tension spring on he bobbin case can get thread caught under it. Does the machine have jamming issues? Is it rat nesting at all. What does the underside of the fabric look like?

Is the thread in the wrong order of those eyelets by the tension disks? I only ask cause the outside eyelet where the thread comes out of the disks too would put the sideways pressure on them. If you went from the disks to the other first, the thread would be in alignment. Then wrap the thread to the other eyelet. Just a thought.

Thread tension disk is definitely wrong. Rotate it until it is flush with the back disk and locked into place.

I don’t know if just tightening the tension disks will help. Something has to be wrong. If they tighten it the back side will be super tight before the front gets anywhere close. And then the thread will never move.

Finally got the thread issue resolved. There were two places where the thread had come out of a tiny hook (one on top and one in the bobbin casing). With a little tension knob adjustment as well, everything is now going tickety-boo. Thank goodness.

Glad you figured it out and got it working. Sometimes it’s such a pain and caused by something so little