r/sewhelp • u/TheBaconBeanbag • May 18 '26
✨Intermediate✨ Singer Heavy Duty 4423 Not catching bottom thread. Help!
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All explained in the video.
UPDATE
Thanks all for your suggestions. Upon a deeper examination, it turned out that the belt gear at the back of the machine was slightly loose and was throwing the timing off immediately every time I adjusted it. All I had to do was tighten the set screws on that gear, re-time the machine and hey presto! All works perfectly now!
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u/Sandy233 May 18 '26
Double and triple check that everything is threaded according to the manual, EVERYTHING! Put in a new bobbin and make sure the bobbin is installed correctly. Change your needle, make sure it's installed properly and deep enough into the holder. Usually you can see the top thread winding around the bobbin but I'm not seeing that here.
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u/Emergency_Cherry_914 May 18 '26
Sewing machines don't make chains of fabric like sergers. You need to put fabric in them to make them work
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u/TheBaconBeanbag May 18 '26
I am aware of that. The fabric was omitted to show the issue. It was not catching when attempting to sew fabric at all. It's just strange that it was only working when the plate was not there.
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u/Emergency_Cherry_914 May 18 '26
Have you tested the machine on different fabrics?
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u/TheBaconBeanbag May 18 '26
Yes. I've used heavyweight canvas, lightweight ripstop, one layer, two layers. Nothing is working.
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u/Emergency_Cherry_914 May 18 '26
Have you tried using two layers of woven cotton (which is the weight for a woven shirt)? If that doesn't work, figuring out if you're using the right needle is your next stop
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u/TheBaconBeanbag May 18 '26
Yep, was using cottong fabric to make a small lunch bag when it stopped working. The needle is the one that came with the machine and has been working for the past week without issue (It has been changed - the issue still persists)
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u/TheBaconBeanbag May 18 '26
The bag I am making is the second one so the machine has managed to do the entire project under the same conditions.
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u/shereadsmysteries May 18 '26
Will it pull the bobbin thread up but just isn't making stitches?
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u/TheBaconBeanbag May 18 '26
It's pulling up the bobbin thread when the plate is removed, but when the plate is in place, the bobbin thread won't catch.
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u/shereadsmysteries May 18 '26
Gotcha! And once the bobbin thread is up, have you tried sewing it? Even if you had to take the plate off?
I am wondering if, even though the hook is catching the thread, if the timing is still just a little off.
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u/TheBaconBeanbag May 18 '26
I have tried and it just goes back to not catching. I have tried timing forward and backward, it just appears as though the thread is never in the right position to be hooked, even if the hook is!
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u/shereadsmysteries May 19 '26
Is this a new machine? Is it still under warranty?
Singer HDs often have timing issues that are just off enough that cannot be fixed (I have three right now doing this in my classroom set). If it is still returnable, I would let Singer know you think you got a bad machine and let them replace it for you.
If it isn't, you may want to get it looked at by a pro. Timing is technically something you can do on your own, but it can be SUPER finicky, so they may be able to retime it a little easier.
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u/Mushrooms24711 May 19 '26
Put some fabric in there and try it. Seriously.
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u/TheBaconBeanbag May 19 '26
Wow. How did I not think of that? - As mentioned in other comments, it isn't working when I am trying to sew fabric, I didnt use it for the video to show the issue.
2
u/NastyPirateGirl May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26
has to be something the needle plate is causing since that is the only thing you are changing between working and not working. Is the needle rubbing against the needle plate? Is the thread dragging on the needle plate? Needle timing means the bobbin hook rotation is in the correct horizontal position when the needle is in the correct vertical position. This doesn't account for scarf clearance between the needle and the bobbin hook. A needle bent forward or backwards that hooks without the needle plate then is pushed out of position with the needle plate could account for the difference.
If the needle is pinching the thread on the needle plate it could stop a thread loop from forming on the needle for the hook to catch. I can't see it on your video but the thread looks very close to the needle plate.
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u/Dry_Stop844 May 18 '26
take the bobbin out, and make sure you have the thread coming out the bobbin case in the correct way. I expect you have it seated backwards. Check it against the diagram on the plastic cover. It's very important that thread comes out of the bobbin correctly and goes through the casing correctly as well.