Singer Tension Spring Replacement 201K 

This is RU-vid at it pinnacle. No bull. No chat. Just first class highly knowledgeable delivery. Big thumbs up and big thanks

I think this is the fifth time I have watched this over the last 5 years, keep coming back to it thanks for explaining everything so well.

Many thanks, I would never have been able to put the tension adjuster back together again without your help.

Thank you Harry. I thought I had seen all your videos on RU-vid, but on searching for help reassembling my top tension assembly, up comes this recommendation. Simple, clear and joyful. and now I am confident I can get my assembly back together again on my 185K.

I have to thank you for this video. I have a Gritzner machine from 1893 but recently became the proud father of a Pfaff 30 from 1952. While not the same machine as yours, being modern, it does have one of these new-fangled tensioners. Thinking that it would just go from 6 down to 1 I started releasing the tension to find it went from 6 down to 1 several times before coming off in my hand. Disassembly is easy! Thank you for the information with clear narration.

Excellent tutorial. Your teaching style is just the right pace and you explained each component's job. Thank you I needed this help.

I want to thank you for this video. I was having thread tension problems. I tried everything else but changing the tension spring. I could change it on my own after watching your video. You saved my day.

Harry, thanks, that was really helpful. I've bought a 1945 Singer 201 from eBay and it was quite grimy. I followed your tutorial and cleaned all the parts of the tension knob as I went, and now it looks shiny and works lovely! Thanks again. You're very clear and explain it well.

Thank you. By watching and stopping this excellent video I was able to replace my spring and get it all put together properly. It gives me confidence to do a repair like this. Much appreciation.

I had to clean my 201 upper tension, taking it apart and then re-assembling, and could not have worked out how to put the parts back in their proper sequence, without the help of your video, thanks very much for posting!

Thanks, Harry! Your instructions and filming were very clear. I'm waiting for the delivery of a 201 and this was great advice. Definitely something I shall look out for.

Thanks so much! For a while I've wondered why my stitches were just a bit wobbly. Everyone raves about the stitches on this machine but I just didn't see it. Turns out I used the manual to reassemble years ago and it just doesn't have a much detail as your video. I'm raving now!

Thank you for these excellent tutorials. I bought a fixer upper 201k and your videos have helped me sort it out. It's cleaned and oiled and a new motor is on the way. The next thing I need to do is replace this tension spring because that's exactly how it is on mine.

Thank you so much for the video. I appreciate the close up view and your pointing out and identifying each component. I had multiple tension assemblies for my 66, two 301’s, and the 201 and I just wasn’t sure which pieces went to what. Now that I’ve seen this I know which thread discs to use and that bit that follows the spring does belong. I accumulated 5 vintage/antique singers this last year and a pfaff 230 to add to my singer centennial 201 and my singer 301. All of them came with small boxes of parts so it’s been a jigsaw passel to figure out which tension assembly parts go to what after getting them mixed up with the 201’s tension assembly. It’s nice to know the 201 can handle leather as that’s what I will be sewing on it. By the way you have a very calming voice. ☺️

Thank you so much. No matter what I do with my Singer Stylist 513 there seems to be no tension at all. I now feel confident to replace the spring. Great video!

Thank you a lot, we had another problem (it was not assembled properly) and just by looking at your close-up video we menaged to solve this problem.

Your video and instructions are clear and concise. You took the fear of working on my Singer 201 tension away. Thank you. I just finished cleaning it up and putting it back together and the tension is awesome.

Thanks Harry! I have the 201k treadle and the tension wheel came to me in pieces with the machine, thankfully you’re here to help me put it together! You’re a star - keep up the good work ❤️

you really have inspired me to do woodcrafting. I started with the beads then I made a few hand-drill handles, next I made a stand for my retort. even made a few simple carvings for my parents and a couple rings. looking forward to more woodcrafts. for my next project ill try carving a spoon.

Thank you, i wont be replacing a spring just yet, but this gave me a confidence to take the unit apart to send away for refurbishment, or replacement. Much appreciated.

Thank you so much for showing this. It takes the worry out of trying to fix mine, if I have to. I'm trying to get my old Bernina 117 K into working shape. Must be about the same. Thanks again.

The perfect video for my needs! One of my machines has a check spring with a very tiny loop on the end but this looks like my 1929 Singer 99

Thanks Harry,pude acomodar la máquina de mi mamá estaba cociendo y se salio toda la pieza,y con tu vídeo la ensamble.🙏🙏

THANK YOU: we were able to fix our machine by following your instructions!!! THANK YOU!!!

Good close up shots showing everything in clear detail, plus an informative narration. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Exactly what's happening. I had to look everywhere for your video because I didn't know what was wrong. This explains. Thanks.

Very helpful, thank you. I have gotten into restoring old Singers this year, & was thinking I need to replace springs on a couple. This was timely!

Thank you. I adjusted the tension on my spring and got back to sewing. Saved sending it far away to have it serviced.

Buen día Maestro, me encantó su explicación de como armar y desarmar el tensor del hilo superior y ajustarlo a pesar que no entiendo su idioma, muchas gracias por su tiempo y dedicación en enseñarnos los problemas que pueden presentar nuestras maquinas, me encantaría que hiciera videos en español para toda nuestra Sur América especialmente para Argentina que tanto nos hace falta, muchas gracias, Bendiciones y un fuerte abrazo desde mi Argentina!!!! 👍👏👏👏🤗🙏🇦🇷

Thank you so much for this detailed video. I had to change this same spring on my Mother’s 1950‘s Atlas. The first 90% of that which is in your video is very similar to mine. The last part was different but I was able to solve that on my own. Prior to watching your video I was on the wrong track. Thanks again!

Thank you so much! I just replaced the tension spring on my Singer 201K no problem with this great video.

This confirms that my spring is broken...off to order a new one and then watch again to get it right!!

Thank you for that clear explanation, managed to sort my own machine out now!

Best Lesson from Best Leathercraft Teacher ! Thank you.

Problem with much loved old Singer, sorted! Exceptionally clear explanation on video of how to dissemble and re-assemble the tension spring assembly. Many thanks.

Hello Harry, you helped me figure out a very tough problem with my tensioner on my singer 201. I couldn't get my stitched to be consistent no matter what. After watching your video, I realized my slack take up spring was binding and therefore not working. After some investigation I found that the very back plate was slightly bent and causing interference with the spring movement. After correcting the alignment issues, it sews better than ever. Thank you so much!

Your videos are great, thanks for all your time and effort. Andy.

Wow Harry, this is wonderful. I am the happy new owner of the 201 which was found at a thrift store the week before Christmas and is currently at the "spa" with a man, who like you, clearly loves the old machines. I learned to sew on one similar to this one and have lovely memories of sewing with my mom. I not only want to know how to use it but how it works and this tutorial is brilliant! Thank you from a new fan in Minnisota.

Thank you very much Harry, I got the same machine as a tredle. That was awesome because I think my spring is broken,... And old...👍😃🎯

Well done Harry. Great job. I shall have a look out for your other videos.

I think that’s the problem I’m having with my 185. My top stitch isn’t right but altering the tension is making no difference. So I cleaned and oiled the machine - still didn’t fix it. Watched this video and now I’m convinced it’s the spring that’s gone. I’m off to shop for a replacement. Thank you! 😁

Hi Harry What a result! I was gifted a 1940, 201 K4 singer machine which looks like it has hardly been used. I've tried to make it work for years with no success. I make leather bags for friends and family and I thought inside pockets could be machine stitched to save time, although I would saddle stitch the main bag. I realised that for years the tensioner was assembled wrongly and rebuilt as per your video. The machine now runs like a singer! stitching through leather is perfect and will save so much time. I can rivet the corners of the pocket to add strength but the Gutterman thread is so strong it would cut into your fingers off!, cheers mate Dave Gibbs

This was the EXACT video that I was looking for! And expertly narrated and produced. Mine is a Singer 457 Stylist, but is very similar to the older machine in the video. Thank you for providing this extremely helpful presentation.

thanks for a very informative film I now have the confidence to try to get my 201 working properly.

Great tutorial, thanks so much for this, very clear explanation

Thank you very much, you helped me put mine back together.

Thank you for that great demo on how to fix tension dial. From Philippines.

thank you harry using your guide i have replaced my tension assembly and new spring on my 201k

Excellent way of explaining 👍very good.

Thanks for this. It gives me the know how & confidence to replace my 338 tension spring. Great tutorial, so clear.

After following your video,my singer 301 is back to stitching 🧵 beautifully Thank you so much for sharing I thought she was a goner 🙏🏽

che Dio ti benedica,hai risolto il mio problema....grazie maestro

Proper and perfect guidence .Thanks lot of Sir.

Harry, thank you so much ! Your video is very helpful.

You are sooo good ..thanks.. my stitching got a little better

Good demonstration and good explanation. Thank you Harry.

Great video, precise information oand good close ups.. It helped me a lot. I have my mother's singer golden girl sewing machine. It was a model marketed in South Asian countries. But tension assembly unit is identical to yours. Your video really helped me to understand the tension assembly ..I have been using it without tension spring and facing constant absymal tension. Now I will have to find a tension spring..

Muy bueno el vídeo !!bien explicado !!! Yo tengo una singer igual modelo lástima aqui hay pocos repuestos!!! Gracias por compartir sus conocimientos! ! Un ABRAZO desde Argentina !!

Thanks from Venezuela, you are very helpful!!

Itis always a pleasure to watch your vidéo from PARIS.

Thanks so much. Nice and clear. Tension sorted.

What an excellent video👍 exactly what I wanted to know, you explained everything very well and at a good pace. Thankyou so much😊

Thanks so much for the detailed video. Very helpful. Looking for to more of your videos!!!

Thank you for the clear and helpful information!

Gracias Harry! Me has ayudado con mis dos negritas: Vicky y Manhattan que hacían lío con el tensor de hilo. Muy bueno el tutorial. Saludos.

Serendipity! I purchased a 201 just today and while it sews like a dream, every so often something happens with the upper tension. The spring just seemed off and while I’m not sure that’s the issue I have a feeling it may be. And this video just happens to appear on my main RU-vid page just now. Thank you!

Thanks for this. It was really helpful. I did have a problem with the tension release pin preventing the assembly going back together and adequate tension being achieved but got there in the end. For the first time in 5 years, I have a tensioner that works properly. (The tension release pin is hidden in the threaded slot and needs to be pushed home to allow everything else to seat properly).

Brilliant video thanks. I definitely need a new one on my new to me 99k, threads bouncing around everywhere!

Excellent instruction & fabulous visuals! I was given my brother-in-law's Mother's Singer 403A (?) sewing machine after she passed away. My BIL had first had it serviced by his "sewing machine guy", who said it was now good to go. Unfortunately, the first time I tried to use it I saw that the tension assembly appears "off", with that spring loop at the 1:00 position instead of 9:00. I was afraid to try to adjust it as the tension of a sewing machine has always seemed a sacred untouchable to me, since I was introduced to sewing in childhood. "If you screw up the tension, the machine will never work again", still booms in my head! I was a bit dismayed to realize that the sewing machine guy could not possibly have run a final thread up & sample sew of test fabric before declaring the machine fit, otherwise he would surely have realized his error. I don't live in that area or I would simply have asked if the gentleman could make that final adjustment he missed. I'm still nervous about it, but your video has greatly eased my mind & encouraged my generally mechanically inclined self, to give it a shot. Thank you & God bless!😇 P.S. I pulled it out to see what I could do & just now saw that there is no bobbin adapter that I am used to from my Mom's machine, on which I grew up... I'm afraid it must be missing, but wonder if this model machine doesn't have one of those... I'll have to do some more research! [5.13.2023]

Thank you very much, Mr Rogers.

Thank you I have a 1939 201 Have spent the afternoon sorting the upper tension out then after watching your vid found it had been assembled wrong in the past Thank you I shall suscribe

Excellent video. Precise & soothing

Thanks !! It's very clearly step,thanks so much

So very helpful - thank you, Harry!

Impressive machine!

Well done, thanks Harry. I have a much newer machine, with a completely different assembly (White 1409) but the concepts I believe, are the same. Fixed my tension watching your video ;-)

Lot of Thanks Sir...! You solved our problem at home God bless you Mahmood Khan form - Karachi - Pakistan

Excellent instructions

Like your videos Harry, thanks for sharing

Thank you for your excellent video.

Thank you for this awesome quality video Harry Rogers! The close up photography gives fantastic views. 'Hi' from downtown Montréal! Grateful!

This video was very helpful. Thank you.

Thank you your video is very helpful !! ✂️

excellent video thanks for posting

THANK YOU! This was a fine demonstration.

Thanks. My machine dated 1950 is about identical.

That was so helpful, thank you!

Very helpful, thanks.

Thanks so much. Great help.

This video explains exactly what I needed to know, which is the position in which the tension spring should go (between 4 and 6 o'clock). I'm repairing my mother's machine which is a Singer 226r, and the tension unit is very similar to this one, with the difference that mine has 3 tension discs, two convex and one central flat... A question, abusing your kindness: from front to back, where should the thread go? between the first disk and the central one or the central one and the last disk? (the manual doesn't say so, it's very rudimentary) In advance, thank you very much.

Thank you so much! It works again! ☺

Had issues today (turned out to be some idiot installing the needle the wrong way round...) but in my investigation, I took the tension assembly apart and reassembled with your video. I did notice that the lever inside the machine that it acts on was loose and not matching up to the bit it was supposed to (if that makes sense) - seconds to tighten with a screwdriver. I also found some thread wrapped round components inside (of a colour I haven't used) so gave it a good clean and an oil. I use V69/40s thread which is pretty thick - have to make sure it's properly inside the tension discs (top tension needs to be quite high) and bobbin tension needs lowering slightly but for the heavyweight gear I'm sewing, it's superb

Thank you for this video! You made me feel a little less frustrated about my 201. The tension is whacked out and I was ready to throw it into the drink. Thanks.

Thank you.

Thanks for the instructions. I replaced the spring as you displayed and got the machine sewing again, however, during sewing it’ll sew fine then the string instantly becomes so tight that it breaks. It’s not the spring. So the issue is still there. Do you know what that could be?

Thank you very much. You have really assisted me.

Well explained thank you.

Muchas gracias por su buen video amigo.aprendimos muchísimo.

Thanks for the help....my Singer 1200 thanks you also.

Very good explanation