Tension adjustments

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I have had my AMAYAs for about 5 years now. I have learned a lot about embroidery through these boards and through my experience. I do not post a lot but I am a lurker seeking and gleaning information.
I used to work in the apparel business (20 years) and around a lot of sewing machines but nothing like an AMAYA.
Here's my question. Many of the so called experts seem to indicate that the proper type of tension of a column should appear and show underneath the satin column - 1/3 of top thread on the left, 1/3 of bobbin in the center and 1/3 of top thread on the right. On my settings that I have for my AMAYA which I only ever adjust the acti-feed and lower limit, I can not achieve this, the bobbin thread is never 1/3 in is always less. Is there a way to adjust the tension or the feed. I know that the engineering of the AMAYA was to feed the proper amount of thread without using the old type of tension controls found on other machines and typical sewing machines.
The reason that I ask this question is that I have been told to check my tension of my machine to help reduce some of the puckering.
I look forward to any insight into this.

[Greenwing]

Try loosening your bobbin tension a bit If your not getting 1/3 ezposure.
very thin columns will not have this neither will fills.

You should do a drop test and it should be 3-4" drop prior to running through the pig tail.

hope this helps.

[Shuffletown Embroidery]

Mark,
There's also a setting for thread feed in the Operating System. Tools>settings> the select the thread feed tab. The column feed setting defaults to 40. If you want less bobbin thread showing on the back, decrease this number; for more, increase the number. There's a cute little visual next to it that represents what what the setting means.
Mary

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Jerome,

Thanks for the reply. In my experience I have noticed that when I loosen the bobbin tension more (looser) the machine is more apt to have more false bobbin break notifications. Is this your experience?

Mark

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Mary,

How high have you had to set that. I have 3 machines and this is is common for all three. Is this a setting that is needed for all fabrics or only some?

Thanks
Mark

[Shuffletown Embroidery]

I have mine at 40 for both. But you could tweak one or more of your machines depending on her personality.

[Shuffletown Embroidery]

I do change the tensions on my bobbbins.
Oh, and I don't usually sew on the fabrics you're having trouble with.

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Do you tighten or loosen them? If you loosen them do you have problems with false bobbin breaks?

Thanks
Mark

[Greenwing]

I rarely have false bobbin breaks.

I was not saying to loosen beyond specs. just make sure it is where it should be.

I frankly have not even thought about bobbin tension since I started using Magna Core bobbins.

But I do still do the drop test.
just in case.

[MJ]

Hi Jerome,
I'm a new Amaya Bravo owner. I've been reading this Forum for a while to learn as much as I can and am getting some great insights! I've worked for years on Brother 600 and 620. I'm curious for your input on using the Magna Core bobbins. Can you tell me why you prefer them? Anyone else's feedback would also be appreciated. Thanks! MJ, Everything Embroidered

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Jerome,

I too use magna glide bobbins. They are good bobbins and have no problems with them.
The reason for my post is what can I do to get more bobbin thread showing underneath if the drop test is at 2 to 3" which mine is. For my machine at least one of them if the bobbin tension is too loose (at the bobbin case) I get more false bobbin breaks.

Thanks
Mark

[Shuffletown Embroidery]

Mark,
Did you get a chance to try the thread feed adjustment in the operating system? I hope you're not working. Unfortunately, I am.

[Pro Image]

Not yet. Just relaxing today. Happy 4th.

Mary, how high have you gone with that adjustment before. I think that my tension may be too tight as perhaps Tom suggested but I do not know what to do if your suggestion doesn't help.

Thanks
Mark

[Shuffletown Embroidery]

Give it a try first, then worry about what the next step will be if it doesn't work.
I'd make changes in increments of 5. The nice thing is that you can make the changes on the fly. Run a few inches with one setting, then stop and change the setting, then run it some more. You should see fairly quickly what is working, and if it's working.
If all the other variables are correct, I think you will see a big difference with this adjustment.
I know I've made big changes loosening the tension of a fill using this feature. I had sort of forgotten about it, but thanks to your questions, I dusted the cobwebs off the knowledge. Like I said, I'm learning a lot from you.
Good luck, and let me know.

[signman]

Any time we get a lot of false bobbin breaks on a design we whip out the backup bobbin case loaded with a magnetic bobbin and pop it right in...while that's running take the original bobbin out, clean the case, run a card under the metal tab, brush and blow it out, then double check the drop. If I didn't have several boxes of regular bobbins to use up I'd be doing nothing but magnetic...much easier and faster to use! I have even sold some boxes of bobbins to quilt makers-what we paid Melco is way less than they pay at the quilt supplier so I'm getting rid of them that way...when we started with Amaya we thought we'd go through a lot of supplies and ordered stuff when it was on sale, etc.-and still are using supplies we bought 4 years ago! Just not as busy as we hoped...but when we first tried the magnetic bobbins everyone told us 'no-no-no...don't use them, bad-bad-bad'...now the stories have changed and most everyone is using them. Seems that until Melco started selling them they were bad, just like some of the frame systems...once Melco decided to sell things-suddenly they are okay to use...
less looping, far fewer false bobbin breaks, even stitching, great for small lettering...best thing we ever found for sewing hats...what can I say-magnetic bobbins work for me!
Roland