Comments for A Guy and His Sewing Machine

Comment on Singer 337 Sewing Machine Review by Weej

Weej — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 05:34:13 +0000

I’ve just stripped down and rebuilt a 348k.
There are no nylon gears. The motor uses a nylon guide rod (or similar material), but that’s it. The motor guide rod is flexible and provides some cushioning.

Comment on Turning your zig-zag machine into a straight stitch machine. by admin

admin — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 15:12:32 +0000

The straight stitch plate results in a straighter stitch because the need and thread can not pull the fabric as far into the smaller opening in the plate as they can with the larger opening in the zigzag plate. The less the fabric moves the straighter the stitch, it is as simple as that.

And of course that is a mechanical issue, but not in the way you were thinking.

Comment on Turning your zig-zag machine into a straight stitch machine. by Gates

Gates — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:47:07 +0000

Tom, I noticed you stated the changes resulted in a straighter stitch, lacking that slightly slanted look. What would the presser foot & plate have to do with the straightness of the stitch… isn’t that more of a mechanical issue?

Comment on Singer 337 Sewing Machine Review by Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:56:09 +0000

Hi guys, i have a 337. i had it plugged in for a considerable amount of time when all of a sudden it started running by itself. i cant find a way to stop it.
Any ideas?
Carl

Comment on Howto set your tension by Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:04:32 +0000

i still have my first machine the singer 4530. unfortunately i do not have the manual. lately i have had a lot of problems with thread gathering on the underside of my fabric. i am pretty sure it is the tension. i do not even reallly know what all of the knobs are for on my machine. too many with no explaination. just numbers and stitch graphics. can you offer any explaination of the dials? thank you! Lisa

Comment on Singer 337 Sewing Machine Review by Lindon

Lindon — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:02:32 +0000

Hi Don,
nothing to be alarm about you are having thread tension problem there’s one of two things happening either the needle thread tension is too loose(maybe not in the tension disc) or the bobbin case thread tension too tight most time the thread is not wound properly on bobbin

Comment on Singer 337 Sewing Machine Review by Lindon

Lindon — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:51:50 +0000

Hi gael.
if the plate is not thrown out it can be replace it just came loose from the spring that hold it in place in the slide track

Comment on Howto set your tension by admin

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:28:56 +0000

No, there are no standard settings, it is strictly a trial and error process. But, my article is about the best info out there for making it easier.

Yes, you are correct, the threads being tighter on one side means the tension is not set properly. If you go all the way to one extreme or the other and it still is not even on both sides, then the machine is out of adjustment.

Generally a straigt stitch machine is setup to about 4-5 with shirt weight fabric with thread & needle appropriate for that fabric. Zigzag machines are set for about 7, settings below 5 being appropreate for zigzag stitches. However, even sewing machine techs sometimes know little about setting the tension, so usually the method described in my article works best.

Comment on Howto set your tension by Marco

Marco — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 06:25:22 +0000

I have a Singer, and i was wondering if there like a list of what fabrics have what tension number… Or does it vary between machines? I’m assuming one side of the stitch line gathers an extra amount of thread is because of the tension….. Am I wrong? LoL. Please HELP.

Comment on Silly Sewing Machine by Tom

Tom — Sat, 28 May 2011 16:23:26 +0000

Actually, the one in this post is a 337. Similar to the 327 but has an internal motor. Yes they can all be removed from the table, in a later thread you can see that I bought a 750 with the table, removed it, and put that 337 into the table.

Later on I repaired the 750, and am using it, back in the table, as my main machine, although the White straight stitch is the best condition and working machine I have.

No, never made the tent. As I mentioned I am not camping out any more. Too old and lazy. What I wanted to make for years was a old fashioned wall tent. If you check on the price of those, you will immediately see why I wanted to make one myself.

I have made a case or two out of mid weight canvas, so the machines have no problem sewing the heavy material if you go slow. If you try to go too fast, You will break the needles. Run the machine manually with the hand wheel at the cross seams.

To run at full speed you have to buy a real heavy duty machine designed for awning, tent, and sail making. But if you only want one tent, it will be cheaper to just buy the tent. Of the four sewing machines I have, the white would be best for sewing heavy stuff, but they all can do it if you are careful.

By the way, if your machine has an external motor you can change it out for a more powerful one.