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Another First Saddle Build Thread

What saddle should I try to build first?

  • Overwatch Outdoors, Transformer

    Votes: 5 17.2%

  • 2020 Aerohunter, Flex

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Pre 2020 OG Aerohunter Flex

    Votes: 4 13.8%

  • Latitude Classic

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • We don't care, just make a saddle already

    Votes: 8 27.6%

  • You better go ahead and make every saddle or you'll never be content

    Votes: 12 41.4%
  • Total voters
    29
gcr0003 said:
Well I got the new tension assembly installed and adjusted and it appears I won’t be able to use the thicker thread. It just won’t get tight enough to pull it up. Im going back to thread I started with.
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I had the same issue with the sail rite industrial walking foot machine I originally bought. It will sew 135 but if you’re going through anything thick, it won’t get enough top tension to evenly pull the thread up. It was sad because that was a $5000 machine
 
Well I’m steaming now…. First I couldn’t get the tension right. Then I went to smaller thread and still couldn’t get the tension right. I noticed the spring that came in the assembly was significantly smaller od so I swapped the new tension spring for the old one. I was just barely getting a good stitch and thought I was in the clear but I can’t for the life of me set this take up spring correctly. I’m getting messy stuff everywhere I have to take up the foot. So frustrating, I’m ready to throw this thing in the dumpster and I buy a new one that can actually do what I need it to do. So far I’ve spent more time fighting this old sewing machine than anything else.
Ok, I’ve aired my grievances for tonight…
 
gcr0003 said:
Well I’m steaming now…. First I couldn’t get the tension right. Then I went to smaller thread and still couldn’t get the tension right. I noticed the spring that came in the assembly was significantly smaller od so I swapped the new tension spring for the old one. I was just barely getting a good stitch and thought I was in the clear but I can’t for the life of me set this take up spring correctly. I’m getting messy stuff everywhere I have to take up the foot. So frustrating, I’m ready to throw this thing in the dumpster and I buy a new one that can actually do what I need it to do. So far I’ve spent more time fighting this old sewing machine than anything else.
Ok, I’ve aired my grievances for tonight…
Click to expand...

AndyTube on YouTube has some great sewing machine fix/setup.

Just a few days ago, I replaced and setup the upper tension unit on my Singer 237. He goes into detail on how to correctly set up the upper tension unit and goes into detail about setting up the take up spring. I think it would be a good watch for you and give you some guidance on setting up your unit.

Start at about 24:25 time and keep watching until the end.
He can be “dry” when watching, but very much worth watching all it and not jumping around on the video.

 
gcr0003 said:
Well I’m steaming now…. First I couldn’t get the tension right. Then I went to smaller thread and still couldn’t get the tension right. I noticed the spring that came in the assembly was significantly smaller od so I swapped the new tension spring for the old one. I was just barely getting a good stitch and thought I was in the clear but I can’t for the life of me set this take up spring correctly. I’m getting messy stuff everywhere I have to take up the foot. So frustrating, I’m ready to throw this thing in the dumpster and I buy a new one that can actually do what I need it to do. So far I’ve spent more time fighting this old sewing machine than anything else.
Ok, I’ve aired my grievances for tonight…
Click to expand...
Have you loosened the bottom tension on th bobbin?
 
Fl Canopy Stalker said:
Have you loosened the bottom tension on th bobbin?
Click to expand...
Yea my top thread looked great. I tried to loosen the bobbin tension a little to see if it would help and it did slightly improved my bottom stitch, but it was allowing just the slightest spec of the loop showing on the top side so I can't go and looser with it. Even with the old spring on the top tension (its a thicker and stronger spring) I had the tension basically maxed out. I'll play with the take up spring some more, maybe tension it up a little too. I just went through all this not to long ago when my take up spring went out. I replaced it and was able to fix the let off issue. The replacement spring I bought previously does look more stout as well so I might use it on the new assembly. So far the only thing that looks decent on the replacement assembly I bought was the housing itself. Both of the springs look very cheap and flimsy. The adjustment nut was plastic so I got rid of it too. I'll give it another go this evening.
 
gcr0003 said:
Yea my top thread looked great. I tried to loosen the bobbin tension a little to see if it would help and it did slightly improved my bottom stitch, but it was allowing just the slightest spec of the loop showing on the top side so I can't go and looser with it. Even with the old spring on the top tension (its a thicker and stronger spring) I had the tension basically maxed out. I'll play with the take up spring some more, maybe tension it up a little too. I just went through all this not to long ago when my take up spring went out. I replaced it and was able to fix the let off issue. The replacement spring I bought previously does look more stout as well so I might use it on the new assembly. So far the only thing that looks decent on the replacement assembly I bought was the housing itself. Both of the springs look very cheap and flimsy. The adjustment nut was plastic so I got rid of it too. I'll give it another go this evening.
Click to expand...
I did all of that with that sail rite, so I feel your pain. One last thing, if possible, go to the next needle size up and see if that helps at all… Sometimes that tiny bit of extra space during the push through can help even the tension a little more
 
gcr0003 said:
Yea my top thread looked great. I tried to loosen the bobbin tension a little to see if it would help and it did slightly improved my bottom stitch, but it was allowing just the slightest spec of the loop showing on the top side so I can't go and looser with it. Even with the old spring on the top tension (its a thicker and stronger spring) I had the tension basically maxed out. I'll play with the take up spring some more, maybe tension it up a little too. I just went through all this not to long ago when my take up spring went out. I replaced it and was able to fix the let off issue. The replacement spring I bought previously does look more stout as well so I might use it on the new assembly. So far the only thing that looks decent on the replacement assembly I bought was the housing itself. Both of the springs look very cheap and flimsy. The adjustment nut was plastic so I got rid of it too. I'll give it another go this evening.
Click to expand...
I showed my tension adjustment in this video. I later tried winding the thread twice around the tension assembly on another machine and that helped to get more tension as well.
 
bj139 said:
I showed my tension adjustment in this video. I later tried winding the thread twice around the tension assembly on another machine and that helped to get more tension as well.
Click to expand...
My issue is more with the take up spring than the tension. The tension is pretty straight forward. The take up spring always wants to be difficult.
 
gcr0003 said:
My issue is more with the take up spring than the tension. The tension is pretty straight forward. The take up spring always wants to be difficult.
Click to expand...
I adjusted mine per manufacturer recommendations. It said a shorter take up for thicker materials. I believe my travel now is somewhere around 1/2” on the sail rite. With my Juki, I’ve never had any issues because of the heavy duty, long needle and the dual tensioning system
 
Alright fellas, were back at it. I wrestled with Jezebel for a bit after work and finally got her take up spring to do what it was suppose to be doing. I got the new suspension cut, marked and sewed together. Both of the d-ring are on correctly this time. I have the belt cut and the panels wonder clipped to the upper suspension. I am about to run the suspension and panels together! Wish me luck!
 
That looks awesome. Your well in your way!! Once you finish it your gonna go. DAMN!! That is one fine looking saddle and crap it’s wicked comfortable and versatile and why I never done this before LOL
 
My wife asked me if I'll feel comfortable selling this saddle once I am done. I told her that I wouldn't sell the stuff I made (big mistake, fell for the trap). First she said, "why not, you've sold every other saddle you've ever owned." Then she said, "well if you're not comfortable selling it, then I don't think I am going to be comfortable with you using it." I replied, "you know I am an engineer right?" She said, "yea, but you're not a sewing engineer." ahaha
 
gcr0003 said:
My wife asked me if I'll feel comfortable selling this saddle once I am done. I told her that I wouldn't sell the stuff I made (big mistake, fell for the trap). First she said, "why not, you've sold every other saddle you've ever owned." Then she said, "well if you're not comfortable selling it, then I don't think I am going to be comfortable with you using it." I replied, "you know I am an engineer right?" She said, "yea, but you're not a sewing engineer." ahaha
Click to expand...
I had similar conversations with my wife, and also an engineer...Id be totally comfortable with someone else using/hunting out of the saddles Ive made. Used to run a taxidermy shop - not interested in dealing with the aggravation that comes with retail/customers.
 
gcr0003 said:
My wife asked me if I'll feel comfortable selling this saddle once I am done. I told her that I wouldn't sell the stuff I made (big mistake, fell for the trap). First she said, "why not, you've sold every other saddle you've ever owned." Then she said, "well if you're not comfortable selling it, then I don't think I am going to be comfortable with you using it." I replied, "you know I am an engineer right?" She said, "yea, but you're not a sewing engineer." ahaha
Click to expand...
This is hilarious. I use the “it’s safer than what I have” excuse whenever I want something new all the time. Your wife flipped it on you! Fantastic!
 
jhunter13 said:
I had similar conversations with my wife, and also an engineer...Id be totally comfortable with someone else using/hunting out of the saddles Ive made. Used to run a taxidermy shop - not interested in dealing with the aggravation that comes with retail/customers.
Click to expand...
Id be totally comfortable with someone else using/hunting out of the saddles Ive made.
- not interested in dealing with the aggravation that comes with retail/customers.
Same here! I thought she was talking about getting rid of every saddle I ever owned but she flipped it on me haha.
 
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