It all plays a role, sufficient pressure included. For me the most important things are having a balanced stitch and correct thread/needle combo. Polyester thread will swell a bit when it gets wet and seals the holes. Too large a needle=hole too large=leaks.

If it only acts up with larger thread then it sounds like you might just need a larger needle. I'm not familiar with the "M" sized thread, most start with a "T" or a "V", do you know the tex size equivalent of what you're using?

The needle guard can touch the needle a bit, it's there to ensure that you don't have a head on collision between the hook and needle. If you think it's deflecting too much, it can be bent to your satisfaction. Not a pic of your machine but you should see something like this on the back side to even...

It can be converted, i have done several this way. It's not a big job and a lot easier than trouble shooting old electronics. They build the machine the same as the standard version, all that stuff is just added on to it.

Pictures always help. You want the maximum height of the inner and outer foot to match. They operate inversely from eachother so if you take height away from one, it adds to the other. As far as pressure, you just need enough to keep the material firmly held down

My process would be to check in this order: correct/new needle, correct thread path, needle bar height, hook timing/clearance, bobbin case opener and check spring. Hopefully you have a manual. You didn't mention the machine model, thread and needle size or what material you are sewing. Is this a new...

I'd have to agree, they are all good choices but that seiko would be my pick.

Aahhh yes i see, my mistake. About 3 weeks ago i was excited to receive a sample roll of what was supposed to be the latest greatest marine vinyl from one of our suppliers and it was quite disappointing. Your flexible paper board comment is spot on.

Different materials take different dyes and you'll have a hell of a time dying anything that is made of polyester, or at least that's been my experience. I tried the Rit on some polyester curtains out of a boat. Trying to go from baby blue to black...went through the motions twice and didnt even dar...

We (very) occasionally use Spradling Softside. It's not my go to material but i don't have any complaints, always thought it to be good quality. Is it the Softside line that you're unhappy with?

Cylinder arm is quite popular with leather folks. You can purchase or build a flatbed attachment for a cylinder machine which makes it more versatile. Sounds to me like a cb3200 may be just right for the material, but may max out at 277thread? Not exactly sure. I believe that the Ferdinand Bull i re...

Flat bed or cylinder machine? My flat bed pick would be an older singer class 7, most probably will not have reverse but not a huge deal. For cylinder machine i have seen a few Ferdinand Bull's in my area that seemed reasonably priced to me. But you're at the mercy of what is available in your used ...

Verify thread path and increase top tension. Have a 9 needle brother waiting for the customer to pick up now that came in with the same symptoms. It just needed the tension and thread path corrected, hope that's all it is

Ouch. Maybe something has just come loose. Does it have a saftey clutch?

Doesn't appear to be a walking foot machine. Not much info available which may translate into difficult to find parts but for the price i think it's worth picking up.

As long as the thread is set in that little hook i referenced it should be fine. Overall tension and check spring will need to be adjusted on a new one.

Don't have one of my own but i did get to set up a 3 thread for a customer this week. Lot of fun to play with, stupid fast and buttery smooth. Don't have much use for a serger...but i need one

Start with the basics Of course correct thread path, but you've eliminated that Verify correct needle system, and proper size needle for the thread you are using. Check saftey clutch if it has one Check hook timing and Needle bar height. A thick stack of material can cause needle deflection, if you ...

There is a little hook right here https://i.imgur.com/hYMhzqH.png Thread comes around the bottom and should "snap" into the little hook as you pull up on the thread then through the check spring. Only real adjusting on that piece is the check spring tension and position and if anything is ...

Some of it is just the nature of forming a lock stitch but play with your tension and see if it helps. The leather point can needles exaggerate the crooked look. Just curious, did you stick with the DP-35 system just in a ball point?