serger tension knob broken?

[earthbuil...@gmail.com]

hello,
we are new to serging and we recently bought our first serger, an old brother 634d.
we are having an issue with one of the tension knobs and can't seem to find any information on it really, but i stumbled across this group in my search and thought i would try reaching out.
the overlooper tension knob doesn't seem to be working... when we turn all the other tension knobs they go from feeling very loose to pretty snug, but when we turn this one it just seems to go from loose to loose. is it possible to adjust this, or do we need a new tension mechanism, or...?
thank you,
ashley and brent

[BEI Design]

I don't know your machine, I hope our Ron Anderson jumps in here.

In the mean time I will offer a few suggestions:

1. Maybe you have already done this, but if not, give the serger a
thorough cleaning (and lubing if the manual calls for it). When you
clean it DO NOT USE CANNED AIR , that just blows lint into various
nooks and crannies where it will gum up the works. Use a brush and
small vacuum. Use dental floss to clean between the tension disks,
running the floss back and forth several times, replacing the floss
as it accumulates lint.

2. Thread the needle(s) and loopers FROM SCRATCH with DIFFERENT
COLORED THREAD and sew a test. Refer to the threading instructions
in your manual, and follow them EXACTLY. Sequence matters in
threading a serger. Using different thread colors will help you to
determine which thread (if any) is not properly tensioned. Thread
with the presser foot UP, then lower the presser foot and pull on
each one to see if each thread is tensioned. (Tension is not
applied to any of the threads until the presser foot is in the
lowered position)

3. Then, ONLY IF YOU HAVE A SERVICE MANUAL, because it is quite
complicated, take the tension apparatus apart, and see if you can
determine how to tighten it. It may have loosened over time, in
which case perhaps you can adjust it. Or it may just be worn out, in
which case you will need parts.

There used to be an online "tension repair" link for *sewing
machine* tensions, www.mrsew.com/lessons/lessons1.html but I just
tested it and it's 404. ;-( However, I don't know if it would help
much with serger tension. I do take my Bernette MO2-3-4 tension
apart from time to time when the tenrsion seems off, but it's an
older fairly uncomplicated serger.

Perhaps you can find something here which will help:
http://tinyurl.com/serger-tension-assembly-searc

Good luck, HTH,

--
Beverly
http://www.ickes.us

[Kay Lancaster]

Yeah, sounds like something has gone "crink" in that tension. At least that's usually
less of a catastrophe than having all the Magic Smoke leak out of a machine's wiring. <g>
But no, tension dials shouldn't go round and round. My guess is that it's a busted
spring, or a spring that's popped out of a retaining hole, but that's just a guess.


Beverley's given you some good advice, though I'd disagree with her on
using dental floss to try to get guck out of a tension -- I use sewing thread with overhand
knots tied in it every 2-3" or so to "floss" tension disks. Vacuum, rather than compressed
air.

I have not changed out a serger tension myself; I have on a sewing machine, and it wasn't a
horrible job, but it did take some patience. I'm just not sure if the parts are available,
and if Ron Anderson is around, he can tell you if that's an issue.

Here's what a common type of sewing machine tension looks like as it's taken apart:
http://mysewingmachineobsession.blogspot.com/2012/01/301-tension-assembly.html

My bigger concern, for a beginner, is with trying to use a machine that isn't working
properly... it just makes everything more complex, and I'm afraid you're going to wind
up second guessing yourself a lot about why something is happening, unless you've got
either a machine in good working order to start with or an experienced coach. I'm not
trying to discourage you from working on the machine, just worried you'll get the tension
fixed and find there's another problem, like timing or a looper that's out of alignment.

Please don't give up on the idea of serging if it does turn into a long-haul project
with this machine -- serging put a lot of fun back into sewing for me, and I love
how quickly a project can come together on a serger.

Kay

[Ladybug]

My Bernette 234 serger left needle was so loose it had no tension at all. I decided to take the front panel off to check it. Found out it had come unscrewed so I tightened it up and added a bead of the strongest glue I could find over the the nut and screw to keep it from loosening up again. Hope this will help someone.

--
For full context, visit https://www.inspirepoint.com/sewing/serger-tension-knob-broken-74540-.htm