I recently bought an industrial sewing machine to Redo the seats in my 51 chevy pickup and a couple other cars. Its a consew 226R-1 which I was told was a decent machine. I've been practicing with it and the Bobbin tention isn't tight enough. The owners manual says theres a screw that adjusts the tention but I cant seem to find it. Are there any upholsterers on here that might have a picture showing where this screw is at near the bobbin? I'm trying to make a pleated seat cover to see If I can even do this.
i dont have apic,but look on the bobbin race.the center screw is usually the one.but sometimes the spring arm[the tension part]needs a little tweek.make sure the bobbin is put in the right direction so that it is not running straight at the slot.if you wind your own bobbin,sometimes that is where your problem start.also to check tensions,sew a test piece,2 layers,take a look in between layers.the loops should show even in between.sometimes the top is too tight,makes the bottom act loose.i have been trimming for almost 50 years,never called a repair man.
There isnt a repair place near me I dont think. So I've got to figure this out myself. I've tried changing the upper threads tention but It still has the same result with the bobbin thread being to loose. I was told the consew 226R-1 is the same as a singer but I dont know which one. There doesnt seem to be much repair info on these consew machines.
If you haven't done so already Google the machine and the top listing is a PFD of the operating instructions. There may not be a commercial sewing machine repair shop within easy distance but here locally the Bernina dealer's repair guy works on all kind of machines. If they don't have and answer they probably will know where to send you for one.
I just saw something that made me think. You said your bobbin thread is loose, by this do you mean that you are getting loping on the bottom side of the fabric? Usually, if that is the case you're looking at an UPPER tension problem, not bobbin case problem. Same with a stitch where the bobbin thread pulls easily out, but otherwise the stitches look okay. I was in the household sewing industry for right about thirty years, so I am far from an industrial specialist, but I have worked on tons of commercial stuff over the years. feel free to P.M. me tomorrow and I'll see if I can walk you through it. Chip Quinn
Call Ron at Quality Industrial Sewing in Grand Island Nebraska and explain your problem. Ron's been doing industrial machines for 40 years and can fix anything. P.S. He has 2 deuces and a 34 all hot rods.
Here is the manual that explains thread tension http://consew.marginspluslive.com/images/products/PARTSBO/224-224r1-225-226r1instr.pdf
Good info on the upholstery social group. Right here on the HAMB! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=174
I want u to open up Google Maps and in the search window and type "sewing machine repair near ar" you will get several hits. Keep calling around until you get a repair tech to help you. The link I provided you previous was posted by a pro and he is on that forum all the time and provides lots a help. Go there and post this ? in the interior forum.