3rd day with new machine - Not Good :-(

[KitKat]

My husband just purchased a Juki 1508NH. Its not a new machine, but a demo he bought off the floor. We have been having a heck of a time trying to sew anything with this machine. The machine will sew several inches and then some how or another the thread will begin to unravel and then it bunches up and only a strand or two is leav't in the needle. We have tried adjusting the tension on it (to give it more) that doesn't seem to work, it only makes it worse. I adjusted it down but it still is breaking/unraveling the thread. In checking the tension, it seems that when trying to pull the thread through, just to thread the machine is hard. Meaning its hard pulling it. I am using a size 24 leather needle along with 277 bonded polyester thread. Can someone help us? We just cant figure out what is wrong. BTW - This is happening when sewing through single layer of saddle skirting leather as well as trying to sew through doubled leather approx 3/8" thick. Moreso when trying to sew thicker leather. BTW - We are about out of scrap leather to play with

Thanks, Cheryl

Edited April 10, 2009 by KitKat

[UKRay]

It sounds like you might be trying to use thread that is too big for the needle - have you tried going down a thread size or two?

Ray

My husband just purchased a Juki 1508NH. Its not a new machine, but a demo he bought off the floor. We have been having a heck of a time trying to sew anything with this machine. The machine will sew several inches and then some how or another the thread will begin to unravel and then it bunches up and only a strand or two is leav't in the needle. We have tried adjusting the tension on it (to give it more) that doesn't seem to work, it only makes it worse. I adjusted it down but it still is breaking/unraveling the thread. In checking the tension, it seems that when trying to pull the thread through, just to thread the machine is hard. Meaning its hard pulling it. I am using a size 24 leather needle along with 277 bonded polyester thread. Can someone help us? We just cant figure out what is wrong. BTW - This is happening when sewing through single layer of saddle skirting leather as well as trying to sew through doubled leather approx 3/8" thick. Moreso when trying to sew thicker leather. BTW - We are about out of scrap leather to play with

Thanks, Cheryl

[2MadJacks]

That was exactly what I was thinking. It could also be that your needle is not in time with the shuttle hook. the shuttle hook should pick up the thread just above the eye of the needle while the needle is returning to the top and it sounds like it may be a bit late and possible splitting your thread. You might sew without the motor and watch to see if this is happening. I hope I ahven't misled you or confused you more that you already are. James

Art and Neel correct me if I am wrong

Edited April 10, 2009 by 2MadJacks

[CowboyBob]

Cheryl,

Before you start playing with timing you should try some #138 on this machine #277 is way too big,I've found that's the max it'll use on leather.

Bob

[2MadJacks]

Yes I definetly should have mentioned that timing adjustments is a last action. thatnks for clarifying that Bob.

James

[Luke Hatley]

I beleive that you are trying to do something that the machine is not

design to do. that is not a heavy duty Harness Machine

wind the bobbin with 69 thread and try 138 thread on top.

also you might try 92 on top . see how it sews with that....I M H O P.....

[Art]

Hi Cheryl,

First, that machine is not designed for that size thread. Second the needle is too small for 277, hence the fraying. Third the hook is rotary and not going to work well on anything over 138. That machine might handle 207 top and 138 bobbin at the max with a 24 needle. So go down to 138/92 or 138/138 with a 24 (180) or 23(160) and see how things work.

Art

My husband just purchased a Juki 1508NH. Its not a new machine, but a demo he bought off the floor. We have been having a heck of a time trying to sew anything with this machine. The machine will sew several inches and then some how or another the thread will begin to unravel and then it bunches up and only a strand or two is leav't in the needle. We have tried adjusting the tension on it (to give it more) that doesn't seem to work, it only makes it worse. I adjusted it down but it still is breaking/unraveling the thread. In checking the tension, it seems that when trying to pull the thread through, just to thread the machine is hard. Meaning its hard pulling it. I am using a size 24 leather needle along with 277 bonded polyester thread. Can someone help us? We just cant figure out what is wrong. BTW - This is happening when sewing through single layer of saddle skirting leather as well as trying to sew through doubled leather approx 3/8" thick. Moreso when trying to sew thicker leather. BTW - We are about out of scrap leather to play with

Thanks, Cheryl

[KitKat]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for trying to help. I did a search on here last night for thread etc. I managed to dig up a chart on needle/thread sizes to determine if the thread it to large/small. The thread I'm using slides VERY fast with the 24 needle while the 22 & 23 needles cause the thread to stick. I did manage to sew some 10/12 oz last night without it the thread coming apart after adjusting the tension even more, but it still frays it on any leather that is larger.

I purchased the thread at tandy. Its a big white spool. I'll take some pictures so you can better see what is going on and will also pickup some other thread today.

Thanks!

Cheryl

[KitKat]

Here are a bunch of pictures of some scraps I'm trying to sew. The lt brown is 8/10 oz and there is a rein I stitched for a while until it went haywire too. Can someone tell me if I'm reading the size right? It says 277, I could be wrong, as sadly I'm a newbie at all this... I am needing to sew martingales with this machine as well as putting together some reins. What thread size do I need for this?

Thanks once again!

Cheryl

Thread spool

Thread unraveled

Top stitching

Backside

Rein thread

Top of rein before it did this

[Art]

Hi Cheryl,

It looks (a little blurry) like BZ-277, that is Bonded Left Hand twist 277. This is not the correct thread for this machine, the hook won't handle it. Call LMC or Artisan or anyone on the board who has bonded left hand 138 and get a spool, just about anyone should have it. BTW, I have not had much luck with A&E (American and Erfid) thread.

Art

Here are a bunch of pictures of some scraps I'm trying to sew. The lt brown is 8/10 oz and there is a rein I stitched for a while until it went haywire too. Can someone tell me if I'm reading the size right? It says 277, I could be wrong, as sadly I'm a newbie at all this... I am needing to sew martingales with this machine as well as putting together some reins. What thread size do I need for this?

Thanks once again!

Cheryl

Thread spool

Thread unraveled

Top stitching

Backside

Rein thread

Top of rein before it did this