Fix your Tensioner on Vintage Singer 201, 221 and 301

This video makes a recommendation for adjustment of the tensioner of a Singer 201 sewing machine. Other machines may have similar tensioners. The Singer 221 and Singer 301 got same issue.

List of contents
0:00 Intro
0:15 How to modify tensioner
0:44 Video of inside tensioner
1:03 The reason for the normal big variation in thread tension
2:50 How the unwanted variation us reduced
3:48 The important gauge to measure thread tension
4:30 End

The drop in variation of tension was verified by using a dynamometer. Furthermore, measurements are made at different positions of the tension discs (they are turned randomly). Before the change, the tension could vary a factor 2. After the change the tension vary a factor 1.2.

I suppose Singer realized at some point in time, that the 3 humps on the back of the -|+ cup was a bad idea. They were removed on the tensioners for the Singer 500A and 503A. I should call it a design flaw, but you do not know how often you will see the problem on a machine.

I made a survey by finding 23 Pictures of Singer 201 with clear Picture of the tensioner. 16 of them had the -|+ mark on 12 o'clock position. 7 had mark at other Places. So the room for improvement is there - so please share information for relevant partners.

I recommend the following videos not made by me regarding this tensioner.
This good video by Archaic Arcane provides good information about how to check proper operation of tensioner:

This is about disassembly and reassembly. This can be to clean all the parts of the tensioner. This video is from SE MN Sewing Machines:

This video goes in more detail from Archaic Arcane

Please like the video, if you get useful information. You will probably find other tips for your sewing machine on my YouTube channel.

[micheleegan]

THANK YOU! This is the first video that explains how that check spring gets room to move. I was tearing my hair out trying to figure out why it worked until I put the nut back on. Three dabs of hot glue and I'm good to go! 🤣

[helen_rose]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful! ❤

[tyrsmyra]

Thank you very much for sharing this information. Very helpful.

[ruthdipe]

Please if anyone is still watching this, please how can you cure your machine from having birds nest stitches underneath