Ema Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 I am a newbie with tension problems. Has anyone tried the above mentioned Towa? It is a little pricey, but will be worth it's weight in gold if it works. Thanks, I can use any help I can get. Ema and THE BEAST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 I know some people go with the drop test, but I am one of the people who thinks the Towa guage IS worth its weight in gold. I use it on each and every bobbin I put in the machine. Helps me alot. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asungrace Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 I have a guage too, but have not been able to figure out how to use it.Any suggestions? Annie Mae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzakel Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 The Towa Bobbin guage is the most helpful tool I own. It is definitely worth the price. It definitely works. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatC Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 Put the bobbin into your bobbin case as you usually do, then place the bobbin case (handle side out) into the gauge (you'll hear it click). Pull the bobbin thread under the first little "wheel," straight up and over the second "wheel," then under the little "finger," and pull it off to the left side. The needle will register at a number on the scale on the left side of the gauge--that is your bobbin's tension. Your machine will have a "sweet tension" that it likes (determine that by trial and error). Just use the tension screw on the bobbin case to adjust until you get that tension--after that, test your bobbins every time you wind/use them and adjust the screw on the bobbin case to that number. Then you will just have to tweak the top tension for different quilt sandwiches, threads, fabrics. Whew, that was long-winded for a new poster!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay M. Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 I too love my TOWA and check each and every bobbin. It's amazing how differently each bobbin can wind with the same thread. After reading many posts, it seems that the ideal number usually falls between 20-25 for most people. My machine works best with about 23. I'd start somewhere in there and then adust as necessary. It came in very handy this weekend when I was using a variegated thread in the bobbin. That thread seems to run a little heavier, so I had to loosen my tension a little. Then when I switched back to regular thread, all I had to do was tighten back up a little to return to normal. It takes a lot of the guess work out of the equation. Kay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ema Posted April 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 Thanks to everyone who responded. I will order mine today. Ema Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahB Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 I have this gauge and just love it. Once you find the correct tension for your machine it is easy to check that bobbin. Sarah B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janice Jacobson Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 Does this come with directions on desired tensions etc for different threads? Or is that learned by trial and error? Jan J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane Bevans Posted April 27, 2005 Report Share Posted April 27, 2005 When you set at 20-25 is that for pre-wound bobbins, as my box said for metal around 15? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polly Posted April 27, 2005 Report Share Posted April 27, 2005 15 is what my Millie likes with metal bobins. I haven't tried prewounds yet as I just got the gage last week. 15 is much lower than I expected. The gammil owners at my longarm guild say they set everything to 25. Polly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polly Posted April 27, 2005 Report Share Posted April 27, 2005 Of course the gauge for the Gammil is built diferently for the larger bobbins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammi Posted April 27, 2005 Report Share Posted April 27, 2005 I use the prewounds and my Millie likes them at 20-22. sammi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay M. Posted April 27, 2005 Report Share Posted April 27, 2005 I think the number has a lot to do with how you set your top tension. There are people who run their bobbins very loosely and I assume their top tension is looser as well. I run my top fairly tight. This means my bobbin tension will be tighter as well. It's all a balancing act. Kay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asungrace Posted April 27, 2005 Report Share Posted April 27, 2005 Thanks for the instructions and encouragement. Is the thread suppoesed to stop being able to be pulled at the number it reads? My gauge can be pulled all the way from top to bottom of the readings, but seems to get a little harder to pull aropund the early 20's. Am I doing it right, do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beverly Posted May 6, 2005 Report Share Posted May 6, 2005 Who makes the TOWA Where do you order it from? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ema Posted May 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2005 I just received my Towa and it is a little mircle. I love it. It is made in Japan and comes with instructions (very easy to use). I ordered mine from Columbia River Quilting. I recommed this product for anyone having tension problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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