How do I fix the tension on my (old)Singer sewing machine?

I have a 7 year old kenmore basic sewing machine, no computer involved. My dog knocked it off the table and ever since it hasn't been working right. Filling a bobbin works great, so I know it can't be the wheel or spool holders. I took it apart, and put everything back, just to see if something was broken inside. It seems to be messed up with the tension and it just won't sew right, it's basically a very lose stich. Is this machine history. Could it be I put back wrong? What causes the the tension to be screwed up?

Gisele
June 2008

I went to the Singer site and checked my serial number up to their "list" and found that it was made in 1949 by a company is Scotland for Singer. It is in the EF series, but no manual is available. Therefore I need to find someone who does not mind sharing their knowledge in this tension issue. I know there is something they do to "repair" the tension when it is off, but I do not know what it is. I have been trying to find a happy medium to keep both sides of the stitch correct, but it is difficult.

Gwen Wood
May 2008

Hello Gwen,
The tensions on the old black singer machine can be very temperamental, it really is trial and error, do you have a numberered tension? if so it should be set between 4 and 6, I take it that it is a round bobbin but is it a drop in bobbin or does it have a bobbin case that goes in the side, you say the machine is 25 years old +, if it is black it is more likely to be 45 years old or more especially if it does not have a model number underneath the stitch length, you can probably still get a manual for your machine, I have a list of sites, if it is possible for you to e-mail a picture or describe your machine in detail including the length of the bed of the machine I can probably pinpoint a model number.
Ken

drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk
May 2008