If I put in a new needle to use my Toyota machine, it will sew OK for a few centimetres, then suddenly without warning, the machine either jams solid or the needle bends or snaps. Sometimes the thread in the bobbin appears to knot and tangle into a real mess, and needs to be cut free. Turning the tension screw on the bobbin holder doesn't appear to alter the thread tension, suggesting a stripped thread? Maybe a new bobbin holder would solve the problem?

Terry Hunter, March 2008

Hello Terry,
Go through these things first which might sound obvious but try it anyway, When you thread the machine make sure the presser foot is up so the thread goes between the tension discs, top tension between 4 and 6, bottom tension should be enough to pull the thread through with some resistence, make sure the needle is in the correct way round, you should be able to adjust the bobbin tension by turning the larger screw about half a turn at a time clockwise to tighten, if you are still breaking needles and can't get the stitching correct you will need to retime the machine.

drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk, March 2008