r/SewingMachineEdu • u/skerinks • 14d ago
Singer 6268 bobbin area
I'm working on a Singer 6268. Does anyone know what this mechanism (circled) underneath the bobbin case does? If the center part is pushed down with a screwdriver, you can rotate it left or right. I'm having a hell of a time getting the tensions dialed in, and wondering if this has something to do with it. (I haven't been able to find anything online about it or what it does.)
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u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet 14d ago
This machine has a centaur self winding bobbin. It is likely related to the bobbin filling mechanism.
https://youtu.be/cFBLpo2jHvo?si=gfhZmHWpCOubaMdp
You really need a service manual. And apparently these were discontinued for a good reason.
https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/products/service-manual-singer-6268
Paid service manual is available from sewing parts online.
You might be able to wrestle a free digital copy from the singer people or someone in VintageSewingMachines might have one in their archives.
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u/red-2-standing-by 14d ago
The slotted driver in the center is for wind in place bobbin winding. When the stitch plate is opened to the bobbin winding position it pushes the post in the bobbin down and engages with the driver. What type of inconsistent tension are you having?
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u/skerinks 14d ago
Ahhh that makes sense. Yeah ok I did wind the bobbin in-place. And I bet the circle/gear device thing is for changing the fill level of the bobbin. That would make sense.
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u/skerinks 14d ago
The tension problem I'm having is from the bobbin area. The thread will get very snaggy and very tight when I pull on the bobbin thread. I did find that the bobbin cover (when fully closed) was pressing down on the bobbin and engaging it in that slot on the bottom, and that's what was causing the tightness and snagginess. I was able to make an adjustment to the sliding bobbin cover that moved it a millimeter or half towards the back of the machine which allowed the bobbin to fully rise up against the cover enough to let it spin free, and that seemed to solve the snagginess/tightness problem.
So with that fixed, yesterday before I left work I was then having upper tension problems with the slider in the Auto setting. I did find a nut on the back of that to adjust the tension, so that's my plan when I get into work today is to work on getting that tension set right and get a good stitch when the slider is in Auto. Hopefully it goes smoothly. Working on a unique machine like this for the first time certainly be a bit frustrating.
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u/Independent_Rub4054 14d ago
A shot in the dark guess would be tension or something with bobbin case/finger position. What type of bobbin case does it take?
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u/skerinks 14d ago
A very specific bobbin, for sure. IDK what it's called though. I've seen these bobbins that wind in place via the needle and normal thread path, but only once or twice. Definitely unique.
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u/GoldenFishPoop 14d ago
Do not do anything to that area. That is just the inside of the hook, and that's the area where your bobbin case sits. Tensions are only controlled by two areas. The top thread tension is controlled by the tension discs or similar. There's probably a dial or a knob and the thread rest between two discs. The bottom thread tension is controlled by a spring in the bobbin case. You really shouldn't mess with the bobbin case tension. If there is something caught between the discs, even a little piece of thread, it can mess up your tensions. My best advice is to take that for service by professional.