Brake cord breaking on Jenn-E (Scotch tension)

Question

I am loving my new Jenn-E, but I keep breaking the cotton brake cord when using Scotch tension. What could be causing this and how can I fix it?

Answer:

Louet prefers using cotton brake cords over nylon. However, cotton is more sensitive to surface irregularities.

If there is any roughness in the groove of the bobbin, the cotton cord can catch, wear out quickly, and eventually break.

During the lacquering process, small dust particles can sometimes become trapped in the finish. Although we aim to sand this smooth, minor imperfections may occasionally remain.

Solution

Check the groove of your bobbin carefully for any rough spots or irregularities.

If needed, use fine sandpaper to gently smooth the groove. This will prevent the brake cord from snagging and significantly reduce wear.