Product: Towa Bobbin Case Tension Gauge
Manufacturer: Towa Manufacturing Co., LTD
Manufacturer’s Web Site: www.towa-mfg.co.jp/e-index.htm
Retail Price: $69.99
Review Date: February 18, 2005

Introduction

Everyone knows that bobbin tension is a never ending battle. If it’s not right, your designs won’t sew out properly. Most of us try to remember to verify bobbin tension every time we replace the bobbin, but it can be such a hassle and many times it’s overlooked. For our machine, a Babylock EMP6, the manufacturer provided a small metal donut for this purpose. The instruction manual outlines a drop method procedure utilizing this metal donut to adjust the bobbin tension. I found this procedure to be not only cumbersome, but inaccurate.

Brief Overview

The Towa Bobbin Case Tension Gauge is a small device that rapidly and accurately measures bobbin tension. As long as you know the recommended bobbin tension for your machine, it can be correctly set in just a few seconds using this gauge (check with your manufacturer if you're not sure). No other accessories are required to use this gauge, and there are no calibration procedures to set up the gauge initially. It is ready to go right out of the box. It is very small in size, measuring approximately 2 ½ inches by 4 ½ inches.

How does it work?

To adjust your bobbin case tension, insert the new bobbin in the case as usual. Pull several inches of thread out through the tension spring before inserting the case into the gauge. Guide the thread around the two pulleys and under the guide hook at the bottom of the gauge. Pull the thread to the left while watching the gauge. Pulling on the thread puts tension on the gauge that accurately measures the bobbin tension, much the same way a hanging scale would work. If the tension is correct, you’re finished. If not, the tension adjustment screw is accessible without removing the bobbin case from the gauge. Adjust and recheck as necessary. The gauge also has a built in thread cutter for trimming the excess thread after you have completed your tension adjustments.

Read the Towa Bobbin Case Tension Gauge Instructions here. (pdf document)

Summary

Since purchasing this gauge it’s a simple matter to check the bobbin tension each and every time I replace the bobbin. There is no more guess work as there was with the “drop” method. There was always some uncertainty as to whether the tension was truly correct. Just a few grams can make a big difference when you begin sewing your designs. With the gauge, I feel more comfortable knowing my tension is correct at all times.

I highly recommend the Towa Bobbin Case Tension Gauge. I find it to be very accurate and simple to use. It comes with easy to follow instructions that guide you through the entire procedure. The gauge comes in versions for both “L” type and “M” type bobbins. If you purchase this gauge, be sure to order the correct model.

Purchasing

If you would like to purchase the Towa Bobbin Case Tension Gauge, the "L" version is available on our web site. Click here to go directly to the order page.

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