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Tension Problem

I have an Alpha Sew walking foot machine that I recently purchased used from an individual that told me it was never used. I am trying to sew heavy sail fabric. I can=92t seem to get the tension right. The top stitch looks OK but the knots are visible on the bottom =96 one thread just lays along the fabric and the other loops around it. My instructions say to lesson the bobbin tension and tighten the top tension. My problem is that I have them adjusted as far as they will go and it doesn=92t seem to help. The screw on the bobbin nearly falls out and the thread pulls out easily. The upper tension is at it highest setting (9) and the thread is hard to pull out of it. Do my instructions have it reversed? Any recommendations? Thanks in advance. Ron

Reply to
Ron
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What size thread are you using?

Reply to
Ron Anderson

Remove the thread from the needle, lower presser foot, then pull on thread. Should have LOTS of tension, but probably has next to none if you are getting a bird's nest on the bottom.

FWIW, on sail cloth and using V-92 thread on a similar machine, I pass the thread through two loops on the bar ahead of the tension control and then use fairly tight tension. On the bobbin, I use quite tight tension. On spinnaker cloth, I loosen up both tensions to keep the cloth from puckering. In fact, I find spinnaker cloth a bit touchy on this machine and often use my old Pfaff 130 for this.

Reply to
jaxashby

Size 92 is probably not to heavy for that machine. Check to see if there is a build up of stuff between the tension disks, also check to see if they are grooved. That nylon thread is like a saw and cuts the metal fairly easy.

Reply to
Ron Anderson

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