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From: kantmore
Date: 08-31-2005, 06:54 PM (1 of 22)
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it's a kantmore! well... maybe it's just me, i bought a used kenmore sewing machine from a garage sale (seems to be a recent trend or something..) and (how coincidental) there is not manual, i contacled SEARS to get one, but i'm IMPATIENTLY waiting for it to arrive.... i don't know the names of any of these machine parts...so here it goes.... the bottom spool is hooking around the.. plate thing, (underneath) and will sew about 2 stitches before getting caught and causeing a fuzzy epidemic of tangled thread. i told my friends i'd have this baby going in less then a day... after 2 days notw i'm losing face. i read the notes from a previous post (and tried cleaning, changing the needle..) but one thing... maybe i'm not threading the bottom properly?? how do i go about it?? Stephanie aka kantmore |
User: kantmore
Member since: 08-31-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 08-31-2005, 06:57 PM (2 of 22)
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A lot of times when there is a problem underneath, it is actually caused by the thread up above. Make sure the thread is going through all of the proper areas of the thread path, and also that you are threading it with the presser foot in the up position. If it's down the tension disks are closed and the thread won't go in there. As far as the bobbin, is it a top loading one (where it's just below the needle) or a front loading one? All of my machines are top-loaders, and the thread comes off the bobbin in a counter-clockwise direction. photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: kantmore
Date: 08-31-2005, 06:59 PM (3 of 22)
| um, the bobbin ir right under the needle facing meand when i turn the... wheel.. it goes counter clockwise..but the threatd gets all tangled on the bobbin and surrounding areas. |
User: kantmore
Member since: 08-31-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:05 PM (4 of 22)
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There's a little hook at the front of the bobbin "holder" (for lack of a better word). Are you hooking it in there? I also bring up the bobbin thread from underneath first. Some people don't, but I always do (you hold the needle thread taut while turning the wheel towards you one revolution.)
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: kantmore
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:12 PM (5 of 22)
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okay: the bobbin is in its "holding" i hold the bobbin thread and turn one revolution towards me, while it's turning i hook the bobbin thread onto a jagged little tooth looking thing. the top thread goes down into the machine, and when the needle comes back up, the thread is still in the machine, so i gently pull on the top thread and out comes top with bottom. i put the foot down and start = mess. |
User: kantmore
Member since: 08-31-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:16 PM (6 of 22)
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I wonder if the feed dogs are down? Is there a thing that has storage in it that you can slip off the machine from the left side (it turns it into a free arm)? If so, there might be a switch either on the front or the back. This moves the feed dogs (the metal teeth that move the fabric) up or down.
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: kantmore
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:27 PM (7 of 22)
| I FOUND THE PROBLEM! the bobbin thread gets cought in the metal holder it makes the tread VERY taught! hence the couple stitches. Whats causing that?? |
User: kantmore
Member since: 08-31-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: kantmore
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:34 PM (8 of 22)
| could my tension be wrong?? this is so confusing |
User: kantmore
Member since: 08-31-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:35 PM (9 of 22)
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maybe it was pulled in there just a little too tightly so it stuck. What do the stitches look like on the top and bottom? Is one looser than the other? photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: kantmore
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:46 PM (10 of 22)
| it doesn't even make it far enough for me to tell... it's tangled.. and looks terrible, maybe i should wait for the manual... |
User: kantmore
Member since: 08-31-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:58 PM (11 of 22)
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I've been searching for a picture of the bobbin area to show you. Maybe the thread is going in the wrong little thingy?
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 08-31-2005, 09:29 PM (12 of 22)
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Have you been threading with the needle in the UP position ??? Kenmore (sometimes made by Janome will NOT thread with the needle DOWN) Also...threading the bobbin is sometimes backwards (counterclockwise) you go far left, THEN come around the next notch. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: vickki
Date: 08-31-2005, 09:52 PM (13 of 22)
I also have a Kenmore,have you taught about calling the service centre,they maybe able to answer your question over the tele.Are you using the same thread on top as in the bobbin.....Did you get your instruction book? 
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User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 08-31-2005, 10:34 PM (14 of 22)
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When I was still fairly new to all this, I let a good machine go b/c of similar problems. I found it too fussy and figured it was low quality. I know better now, and I see it was perfectly good quality but simply needed to be cared for properly. Any machine that you acquire from a garage sale needs to be serviced. If you don't know how to do this yourself, then you'll need to bring it in for service. Just look up Sears in your phone book and they'll put you through to the service center. Just like a car, it'll need a fresh oiling every so often and some adjusting to keep it moving smoothly. Your Kantmore will be a YesICanmore before you know it.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 09-01-2005, 01:11 AM (15 of 22)
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Kantmore, I'm going to jump in here and try to explain the bobbin set-up that I think you have. First of all how is the thread wound on the bobbin, nice and neat or all jumbled? Insert bobbin into bobbin case making sure thread is coming off clockwise when you are looking at the bottom of the bobbin. Pull thread through slot of case. Pull thread under tension spring. Holding latch open, position case into shuttle, and release latch. Case should lock into place when latch is realeased. Hold needle thread loosely in left hand and rotate hand wheel toward you one complete turn.Bring bobbin thread up by pulling upper thread. Now another thing is the little screw in the bobbin holder, if this has been moved by the previous owner this could cause major problems. It's definitely not a thing you want to mess around with. Bobbin cases are not very expensive (less than 5.00$), but a way to check that is to hold the assembled bobbin and bobbin case by the thread and give it a sharp jerk the whole assembly should only drop a short ways I have had my kenmore for 30+ years and the only thing that ever went wrong was the foot pedal and a belt and I have done alot of sewing with it, so I think they are pretty good machines. Hope this helps you. |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-01-2005, 01:47 AM (16 of 22)
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At one time I had two machine that threaded into the bobbin case the same but one went clockwise the other counter clockwise. You might try reversing the thread in the bobbin. If the bobbin was properly wound the thread will be fed smoothly up and down the bobbin so that the top or bottom does not look larger than the other end. When you thread your bobbin you take it from the spool to the oposite end of the machine (over a thing called a thread take up lever...or in that general direction). You wind the thread around a little button looking thing that controls the tension and wind of the bobbin thread. you wrap your thread from the front to the back so that it will cross itself as it comes off the bobbin tension (like a "cause ribbon"). You then take the loose end of the bobbin thread to the bobbin and put it from the inside through a hole in the bobbin. Some have tiny little holes near the center. If you see one of those, use it, if all holes are the same, just choose one but thread from the inside of the bobbin out. Then place the bobbin on the spindle. The spindle will either move or a little clutch will move toward the spindle. HOLD ON TO THE END OF THE THREAD and do not let go of it until it breaks cleanly with the top of the bobbin during threading. Press on the foot control and the bobbin should start winding. If your needle should start moving, stop and go to the hand wheel on the right side of your machine. Hold the outside with your left hand and take a little disk or the center of the hand wheel with your right. Turn it (probably) toward you to loosen. When you finish winding your bobbin you will turn it back. On some machines, the bobbin is engaged for threading by moving it toward the hand wheel. As the wheel turns it turns the bobbin. BE SURE AND TIGHTEN THE INNER DISK after the bobbin has wound or your machine won't work. When you have finished winding your bobbin you should have a smooth bobbin. There should be no strings poking through the holes of the bobbin. The bobbin should be pretty tightly wound. One other thing besides the ones mentioned in the previous posts, if there is a burr around the plate are where the thread goes it can cause this type of problem. Also, clean the entire area around the bobbin case. Take everything out and clean well. If there is a stray thread or more in there the machine may be trying to pick up that causing a real mess. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: vickki
Date: 09-01-2005, 08:13 PM (17 of 22)
| I called Sears service today,since I worked at Sears for 27 yrs.I know all the techs.in my area.TheTech I spoke to said it was the Timing and that can only be fixed by a technician.Why not ask for an estimate for total repairs...(There maybe a charge for him to look at it),maybe too expensive to repair. |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: Teri
Date: 09-17-2005, 11:38 PM (18 of 22)
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I second everything Woodywoodpecker said, but want to add to check that your needle is in correctly. The side of the needle with the slot down the lenght of it should be on the left side if the thread path's last guide is on the left or in the front if the last guide is in the center. On all 3 of my Kenmores they are on the left. Does your Kenmore have a name on it like Super 6 or Kenmore 8 ?
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66 
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From: LauraM62
Date: 09-18-2005, 09:57 AM (19 of 22)
Okay another thought! You didn't say whether this was still front loader or top loader bobbin but ... I have 2 Kenmore machines & Kenmore Serger .... make sure you are NOT using anything Singer! At least I found they made horrible problems with my machines. Remember bobbins come in 2 sizes, class 15 & 66, without really checking I believe you have to have the class 15 for the Kenmore. Also I really have trouble with the stitches being correct with a Singer needle. It just doesn't catch the bobbin thread correctly. Those are 2 simple things I would check that I have ran into in the past. 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: Teri
Date: 09-22-2005, 10:13 PM (20 of 22)
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On all 3 of my Kenmores they are on the left. Does your Kenmore have a name on it like Super 6 or Kenmore 8 ? Sorry the 2 here thread front to back so the groove in the needle runs down the front. I was having a duh moment. 
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66
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From: Donaburd
Date: 12-17-2005, 10:12 PM (21 of 22)
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Kantmore, I have two Kenmore machines and both bobbins thread counter-clockwise. When you drop your bobbin in try it with the thread going to the left from the top of bobbin (cut end of thread at top of bobbin). On mine, there are two slits in bobbin holder, pull thread down into farthest slit on bottom end of bobbin holder and pull to left till it goes into the top slit on left. Then pull your thread across bobbin and put cover on. Then put piece of fabric in machine and try pulling bottom thread up like others have told you and see if that works. I hope this helps. Donna I found a website with bobbin pictures. Go down to #57893 (this is what I have). Is it what you have? You can see the slits in the case I was talking about. I can't figure out why my links don't work, try C&P. sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page41.html Donna
http://community.webshots.com/user/donaburd |
User: Donaburd
Member since: 12-15-2005 Total posts: 38 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 12-18-2005, 06:56 PM (22 of 22)
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It sounds like your machine is threaded improperly on top or the bobbin case is inserted improperly. Make sure the thread is in the take-up lever (the chrome part that goes up and down). Its job is to pull the 3" of thread back up after the hook has taken it half way around the bobbincase. Also make sure the bobbincase latch is snapping closed when you insert it. If it is not the thread will hang on it as it passes over it. There are a good number of things that could cause your problem but these are the most common and easiest to correct. Good Luck Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
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