Cowboy 4500 stop sewing

[Lakil7]

Hello, can some one help me with my Cowboy 4500 sewing machine. I was sewing on the machine when it suddenly jammed up, apparently. I was able to cut the top and bobbin thread but the needle is still buried in the machine and would not move up or down. The wheels and belts are spinning when I press on the foot pedal but the needle is not moving. The machine is not engaging. Nothing happens. What could be wrong. I can't remove my workpiece because the needle won't move and I don't want to break it.  Please help.

[Dwight]

Loosen up your belt . . . grab the wheel . . . turn it with your hands.  

I've had the same thing . . . worked right out with no problem.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Lakil7]

Thank you so much Dwight, I tried your remedy and it worked. However, the machine keeps jamming quite often. Don't know why it is doing this. If anyone know why the machine keeps jamming, and has a permanent fix, that would be much appreciate. I was close to finishing up a big project, and need to have it done by Monday the latest. Thank you all for your input.

Lakil7

[Handstitched]

@Lakil7

Is the needle bent or damaged? Even the slightest bit of damage on the needle can put things out, from experience.  Try a new needle.    Also, just check inside the shuttle case, making sure theres no debris, bits of thread  etc. inside , and check to make sure the needle isn't  striking the thread plate, you'd hear it if it was. 

Hope this helps. 

HS

 

[Lakil7]

I have a new needle in. I Will check for debris and also to see if the needle is striking anything. don't think it is , but I'll check for sure. thank you so much for your response. Much appreciate.

[Wizcrafts]

Are you holding back the starting 3 stitches?

[kgg]

1 hour ago, Lakil7 said:

I have a new needle in.

Couple of questions:

i) What size of needle are you using?

ii) What size of thread are you using?

iii) How thick is the leather?

iv) Is the hook worn blunt? If the hook has been worn back from use it will need to be adjusted as in retiming the machine to advance the hook.

kgg

[Dwight]

When you put that new needle in . . . your eyes may be not good enough to tell if it is in the exact right position.

I put a regular sewing needle in the eye of my 4500 needle and use it to determine if that eye is centered 90 degrees to the travel of the material.

Even the slightest couple of degrees off can mess up your whole day.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Lakil7]

Thank you guys for your responses. To Kgg, Im using size 23 needle, 138 thread top and bottom, and the leathers is about 8mm thick. Nothing should be worn. I bought the machine new in October last year.

To WizCraft, Yes I am holding back the start three stitches or more. To Dwight, the needle hole is in correct alignment. I also find that the machine will skip a stitch every now and then.

[kgg]

2 hours ago, Lakil7 said:

I bought the machine new in October last year.

Does the skipped stitches happen on a turn or on straight runs? Have you checked the Hook timing?

For future reference here are two video's of checking and setting the timing on a Class 441 machine:

i) By UWE using a Cowboy:

 

ii) By Al Bane using a Cobra:

 

kgg