A Real Bad Word Of A Time W/needle Cutting Thread

[savvydreambuilder]

When did my stitching machine turn into my hot rod?

Hey Shorts, I feel your pain. I figured I had gotten interested in Leather working only to find out that I need to be a sewing machine mechanic as well. Being a tool maker would be a good secondary, and don't get me started on honing and grinding!!!

All that said your thread is really helpful, as I have suffered all of these problems, but haven't been able to articulate them well enough to get help on them.

cheers,

'cole

(substitute sewing machine for computer)

[Shorts]

I finally caved and called Steve. He had me lower the needle in the bar about halfway then stitch. So far not dropped stitched. What this did was tell him and me that the hook needs to be brought forward just a little bit more. I'll get that done in a bit.

Overall, glad to know what the problem was. I intentionally held off from calling Steve to see if I could work through the problem. It looks like I was on the right track but stopped just a little bit short.

Back to work...well, not for me yet. I'm going on vacation as soon as I get these orders packed up to ship. Ahhh sweet release - a margarita on the rocks please.

[Cobra Steve]

Hello to all. To those of you who have a Juki 441 or the Juki 441 clone like the Artisan, Cowboy, Cobra, Ferdco, SewPro, and others, and your machine starts to skip, follow this procedure:

Lower the needle 1/16 of an inch. Just above the needle set screw is a hole that allows you to see the top of the needle. Drop the needle so the hole is half way covered with the top of the needle. Then test on scrap leather. If this solves the problem, then your machine is slightly out of time. If the company that you bought your machine from has done the correct set up of the machine, then you will not need timing devices or spacers to solve this problem. Here is the sequence that you should follow:

1. Make sure that there are no problems with the threading, or any burrs that might be on the point of the hook, or anywhere else. In other words, make sure that all of the normal things are as they should be.

2. Put a new needle in the machine.

3. Set stitch length at zero.

4. Raise presser feet.

5. Remove needle plate so you are able to see the hook.

6. If you are still unable to see the hook after removing needle plate, then remove the feed dog. When putting the feed dog back on, make sure that it is no more that 1/16 of an inch above the needle plate in it's highest position.

7. Turn hand wheel towards you until the needle is in it's lowest position, then continue to turn the hand wheel towards you until the needle comes up 3/16 of an inch. This measurement is critical.

8. At this time, the point of the hook should be even with the needle, and approximately 1/8 of an inch above the eye of the needle.

9. If this is the way your machine is set, then it should sew. If it still does not sew after making sure that all of these adjustments are correct, then you may have to retime your machine.

10. If you need to retime your machine, then do what "Grunt" said: CALL STEVE!

I will help anyone with any of these problems, no matter what machine you own. Thanks, Steve