Needle wont pick up bobbin thread.

[tshupe]

Looked around but didn't see what I was looking for. I have a Ferdco 2000 Pro. New to sewing on a machine. I was sewing a knife sheath and the needle bent and broke. I put a new needle on the machine. but now it wont pick up the bottom thread. Any help would be appreciated.

Troy

[AlZilla]

I'm guessing that machine is what we would call a "441 clone". In other words, a clone of the Juki 441.

Breaking the needle could mean you knocked the timing off. After making sure it turns freely all the way around, I'll suggest you start with the 2 videos below to see where your hook timing is at. 

Also notice when you turn it over if the feed dog and hook move. It might be as simple as a popped safety clutch.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT3AVgj_HLI

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_f3yszCKBAg&pp=ugUEEgJlbtIHCQkVCgGHKiGM7w%3D%3D

Report back and smarter people than me will be on standby...

[dikman]

Have you put the needle in the right way around? The scarf has to face the hook on the bobbin/shuttle assembly.

[Wizcrafts]

In addition to proper scarf alignment, make sure that the needle is the correct system for the machine, and is all the way up in the hole in the needle bar before being tightened in place. When aligning the sides, make sure that the eye hole is perfectly inline left and right on your machine, and that the rib side faces away from the hook, and the cutout scarf faces the hook.

If the new needle is inserted correctly and the machine still won't pickup the bobbin thread, either the shuttle/hook assembly was knocked out of time, or the needle bar was force up a little, putting it out of position for the hook to catch the top thread loop. Remove any cover over the shuttle so you can watch it in action and hand wheel the machine  while you watch the needle reach bottom dead center, then ascend about 3/16 inch. At this point the tip of the hook should be intersecting the thread loop that was formed when the needle ascended. If the hook has already passed by the needle, the needle bar may have been knocked out of time by the impact. Set the hook inline with the needle, loosen the screw(s) on the needle bar, then pull it down until the eye is about 1/8 inch below the tip of the hook. Lock down the screws and see if it now sews. Make sure you do this as the needle is moving up from BDC as this is when the loop is formed by the upward motion.