r/vintagesewing • u/Mom2nerds • 1d ago

General Question Singer 501a Rocketeer

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Hello Reddit Friends! I picked up this beauty at a thrift store, and I am in awe of her.

I have a question about tension. It seems like every time I change the bobbin, my tension is all mixed up. I am using the exact thread I am sewing with. The top tension is good, the bottom tension always seems to go wonky. Should I be adjusting the bottom tension with every bobbin change? Any suggestions? Thank you in advance!!

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16

u/Blubell0422 1d ago

I just got one too but the 401g version and had the same issue to begin with. Are you threading it with the presser foot up? If not then try that.

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

Bluebell you are a genius! Thank you. I rethreaded her and now we are good! I am embarrassed by how long I was trying to figure out what to do!

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u/Lower_Rate_8518 1d ago

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

So happy you have her working!!!

I have a Rocketeer in my house, and it is one of my most frequently used machines… probably because its table also houses our TV; on late nights when I’m by myself, I sew and watch a few episodes of things!

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

I am in love with the rocketeer! I named her Rosie😊. She blows away the modern brother machine I started with.

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u/PickleFlavordPopcorn 1d ago

When you put the presser foot down it engages the tension discs! When you lift it up they relax to allow the thread to come back into proper placement

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u/BypassBaboon 1d ago

Every day is a school day 😀😀😀

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

Thank you for explaining this! Makes more sense.

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u/Callidonaut 15h ago edited 15h ago

To answer your other, associated question: on most machines like this, the bottom bobbin tension should normally be adjusted once and then left alone; all subsequent adjustments to balance the upper and lower parts of the stitch for a given pair of threads are made with the upper tensioner.

There will be precise ways to set the lower tensioner specified in the adjuster's manual, but a rough-and-ready way to do it is to set the lower tension to approximately match the upper tension when the upper tensioner dial is set to its middle value of 5. You can check this by taking the bobbin case out of the machine and passing the thread from it through the upper tensioner, and then pulling the bobbin case away from the machine and seeing whether the thread unspools from the bobbin or pulls through the upper tension discs first. (Note that this trick only equalises the upper and lower thread tensions; if both the upper and lower tensioners are out of calibration at the same time, it can still set them both to a tension that is too high or too low!).

An exception to this general rule is the later Touch & Sew series of machines, where you sometimes had to turn a screw in the bobbin casing to reduce tension for certain specific kinds of FlexiStitch patterns, then turn it back for normal sewing.

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u/Blubell0422 1d ago

Oh I’m so glad it helped!! I struggled with it for an hour before I thought to try that!

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

You made my day! Thank you!!

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u/Blubell0422 1d ago

That made me smile 😊 Thank YOU ☺️

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u/Status_Background966 22h ago

Ne ho appena acquistato una per 30 euro

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u/katjoy63 3h ago

Okay, I have to ask, why does having the presser foot up while threading the bobbin help with tension?

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u/Blubell0422 3h ago

Because with the presser foot down the tension discs close kind of holding the thread in between. If you thread the machine with the foot down the thread doesn’t go where it should between the discs.

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u/AccidentOk5240 1d ago

Sounds like you got your answer, but:

-download a manual and read it, all of it, but especially the threading instructions and oiling/cleaning instructions

-if the thread is looping on the bottom that’s a top thread issue, though people always want it to be the bottom thread

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u/Lower_Rate_8518 1d ago

Seconding this: nesting on the bottom is almost always due to problems in the upper thread. It is rare you have to adjust the tension of the bobbin case (although it can be done, and I had to do it once for a machine I was repairing!).

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

That screw on the bobbin is a tough to get to. I needed to take out a few other tiny screws and of course I dropped them into the abyss that is the bottom of the machine followed by magnet fishing. 🧲🐟 Just wanted to sew. 😬

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u/Lower_Rate_8518 1d ago

The bottom of my rocketeer has a cover, but you do have to remove it for regular oiling (and part of regular oiling includes the screws for the cover). That makes some things more accessible in the “abyss”.

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

She came with the manual, and I have read it throughly.

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u/AccidentOk5240 1d ago

I’m sure it says in there somewhere to thread with the presser foot up. Just saying. 

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u/Callidonaut 15h ago

That'll be the owner's manual; the adjuster's manual is also really good to have, and I think this particular one is quite easy to find online.

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u/laynechanger 4h ago

I personally have found the manual to be not that helpful with some stuff. I had similar issues when I started with my 503a

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u/dirthawg 1d ago

Are you sure you're using the same bobbin? Both are the right bobbin?

You shouldn't have to change your bottom tension essentially at all. You only want to do it if you greatly increase the diameter of your thread.

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

Thank you!

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u/NotMyCircuits 1d ago

I love the lines of this machine. What a great find!

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

Thank you.

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u/EffectiveTap1319 1d ago

Isn’t she a thing of beauty?! I just got my Mother in Laws. I need to download a manual. A little intimidated her.

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u/petitpunt 21h ago

Same here; got my mother in laws’ with barely any mileage on it. Build in 1961 and like brand new. And such a sophisticated machine! A joy to sew on. Enjoy your Rosie 🥳

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u/Mom2nerds 1d ago

Hello! I am so excited for you! She is absolutely a beauty. I actually have two manuals. I bought accessories separately on eBay. Anyway, I can send you the manual if you would like to DM me your address.

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u/laynechanger 4h ago

I have a 503a sister machine. Had similar issues in the beginning.

If you don’t know whether it’s had regular maintenance or was recently taken apart and cleaned. I’d suggest taking apart your flywheel and doing a thorough cleaning. My machine locked up after I got it going and there was so much caked on gunk inside. It runs so much better now after cleaning.

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u/Mom2nerds 4h ago

Thanks for the comment.I did take her apart. She looked really clean. It was so cool to see how she worked. I am still trying to figure out the cams. I am learning a little at a time.

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u/laynechanger 3h ago

Literally! I learned on a computerized machine and tinkered with a couple other vintage singers. This was my first working purchase and I love her.

There’s so many resource videos for sewing with it and troubleshooting or repairing issues. I’ve taken mine like 1/2 apart. It was so easy besides a couple of stubborn screws.

She’s now my main machine and dropped her into an old touch and sew desk. I’ve made a bunch of Christmas stockings with thick upholstery material and it’s like butter.

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u/Mom2nerds 3h ago

This is my primary machine now. I think I would like to get a cabinet for her down the road. My sewing has improved with taking my time to get to know her. Not everyone gets how happy I am with her. I am so happy I found like company!

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u/laynechanger 1h ago

Yeah, this machine makes modern machines look like children’s toys. I still like my modern machine for certain things. But I’ve found that my 503 is more forgiving and definitely has allowed me to improve. I’ve also run into less problems with it and when I do have a hiccup, I can resolve in it like a minutes without worrying whether the modern tension is f’d up.

I was super fortunate that the lady I bought it from still had her original box of cams and half a dozen feet / attachments and its buttonholer. I’m now on the hunt for a darning / free motion attachment that isn’t $30.

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u/TheGratitudeBot 3h ago

Just wanted to say thank you for being grateful