Janette Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 how long does the original tension spring last? i think mine is getting uncooperative not as responsive i have a spare spring but it looks like its made with thinner shinier wire with more rings. is this still the right one ? has the stock changed over time? the original one is almost black. mind you i can't get the factory tightened screw to loosen with the allen key. i really wish the factory could think about making them just tight enough so we can open them when needed. not excessively tight. has anyone any insight on replacing this spring please. or an idea of when it needs doing? it needs servicing really... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Janette, I think your talking about the spring on the tension assembly right? I changed mine out probably in the last 6 months and I too thought the one the machine looked heavier but it works great and I have no issues. I'm sorry you're having a tough time getting the screw out and I don't know how to help with that except maybe get a man to unman tighten it for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janette Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Thanks heidi. glad im not the only one thinking it looked different. i will try again. it will take a miracle though to get my husband to my studio for at least six months though... lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Szymaszek Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 I am wondering what is happening to make you think spring needs changing. Are you having tension issues? K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janette Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 sort of. i seem to have to be turning the tension dial more to have any effect if that makes sense. i dont know how long they are supposed to last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cegates Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 I don't know how long they are supposed to last, but I do know that installing a new one and adjusting it per Dawn's instructions made a huge difference in my stitch quality and made thread breakage all but disappear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Funny, Janette, but I've been experiencing the same thing so last week I bought a new tension assembly and a spare spring for the exact same reason. I haven't installed it yet, but am excited to see if this helps. My machine is a 2005 and I'm the second owner; its the original one. The machine has been used for personal quilting for the most part; not commercially; which is probably why it has lasted this long. I haven't checked the difference in what the springs look like yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Szymaszek Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 I have been working on a wall hanging with lots of thread changes. I was down to the last block and I just could not get tension right. I think I may have a spare spring, hopefully, and will give that a try. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janette Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 i hadnt thought i might need more than just the spring. maybe i should email dawn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 sort of. i seem to have to be turning the tension dial more to have any effect if that makes sense. i dont know how long they are supposed to last. That was exactly what happened to me. I changed it and it worked out just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janette Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 thanks heidi. did you just change the spring or the whole tension assembly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyl Posted March 30, 2013 Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 You can change out just the spring. Shirley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted March 30, 2013 Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 Janette I just changed the spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janette Posted March 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 thanks. i realise now that the spring that gets changed is inside the tension assembly not the thicker one that i can see. i realised that i was also trying to undo the wrong screw what a dope i am... so i now have the tension dial off ready to replace the spring. thanks again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunningThreads Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Jeanette Are you talking about the check spring (the thin one)? They will get a groove in them over time just like your thread guides do and cause tension and thread shredding problems. I think Brenda's machine was about five years old when I changed hers. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeke Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 It all depends on how often you use your machine. Heavy use, it should be changed out every 6 months and light use can go longer. I've seen where the check springs has lasted over 4 years. Like I said, it depends on your use. As for me, I change mine out every 6 months. And yes, I do have 2 tension assemb;ies. This makes for quick changes so I can swap out the check spring when I get a free minute. This is my practice and been doing it this way for the last 15 years without any tension problems. Regards, zeke..................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Great idea, Zeke on having mulitple tension assemblies. I bought a spring and a new tension assembly; so I would have a spare of one or the other if needed. I think I will purchase one more spare next time I buy parts or accessories! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janette Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 thanks. I've had my machine over three years so probably should have done this already as it gets alot of use. maybe 20-25 pantos a month. managed to easily get the old spring out and the new one in. so hopefully it will make a difference when i put it back on the machine.... i wonder what else i should have replaced by now??'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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