Got My Boss Today-Merry Christmas

[mlapaglia]

I set it up per the video. Its threaded correctly including going around the secondary tension. IT stitches nicely. Bobbin and thread tension seem good. The thread crosses in the middle of the leather.

Here is my problem. The machine is set up with 277 thread top and bottom and a 794-200 needle, when I pull the handle all the way down its smooth as class but when I push it back about 1/2 of the way back it starts to jam up and make a clicking noise that is not present on the video. Plus the push can not be done smoothly. If there is no thread in the machine then it pulls and pushes smoothly but with the machine threaded up and tensioned what I believe is correctly it tends to hang up when the thread tension arm starts to move back to position. I can push past it but it does not feel like it should. It gives me 2 clicks. The second one is almost a grinding sound. and it sticks for a sec but I can return the arm to the full position with a little more pressure.

any ideas?

Thanks

Michael

[TwinOaks]

Check the needle alignment, especially the position of the scarfed section. Look inside the shuttle and see if you can tell when the hook passes the needle, and ensure it's not hitting.

If the hook isn't hitting the needle, it sounds like you might have a bit of short-stroke issue. I've found that I occasionally get a dead soldier on the back side caused by the short stroke...that'll cause it to bind up when the hook rotates back to it's resting position and snags the loose loop. Be sure you're stroking the arm all the way to the stops...every time.

While you're stitching, reach up and pull a 3-4 inch loop of thread down between the thread guide and the first (actually identified as the secondary tensioner) tensioner you come to. Pull a slack loop every 6-8 stitches so the thread is not under additional tension going into the secondary tensioner. This keeps the take up arm pulling tension against the tension disks and NOT against the thread coming off the spool....which can be, at times, loose and free or hanging up as it pulls off the bottom...or a loop gets crossed..etc.

Frank (member here) told me that tip and it's been the single most helpful in keeping stitching smooth.

Other than that, can you get a pic of where it's hanging up?

[mlapaglia]

Check the needle alignment, especially the position of the scarfed section. Look inside the shuttle and see if you can tell when the hook passes the needle, and ensure it's not hitting.

If the hook isn't hitting the needle, it sounds like you might have a bit of short-stroke issue. I've found that I occasionally get a dead soldier on the back side caused by the short stroke...that'll cause it to bind up when the hook rotates back to it's resting position and snags the loose loop. Be sure you're stroking the arm all the way to the stops...every time.

While you're stitching, reach up and pull a 3-4 inch loop of thread down between the thread guide and the first (actually identified as the secondary tensioner) tensioner you come to. Pull a slack loop every 6-8 stitches so the thread is not under additional tension going into the secondary tensioner. This keeps the take up arm pulling tension against the tension disks and NOT against the thread coming off the spool....which can be, at times, loose and free or hanging up as it pulls off the bottom...or a loop gets crossed..etc.

Frank (member here) told me that tip and it's been the single most helpful in keeping stitching smooth.

Other than that, can you get a pic of where it's hanging up?

Thanks Mike

At this time its just not working at all. The arm doesn't seem to pull as far forward as it should. The presser foot locks up and the cam is not turning enough to let the presser foot lower itself at the end of the stroke. The rack gear no longer hits the bolt in the forward position and there is no offset where the two rack gears meet. I did try putting one there and adjusting the timing and that didnt fix it so I put it all back. The shuttle position is just a mm past 12 but I have not changed that yet. Mofing it one tooth puts it at 11:00 so its much closer where it is.

If I rotate the cam to normal position then I can lift the presser foot. But the first pull of the handle and it hangs up again.

Remember that feeling on Christmas morning when one of your toys was broken

Anyone with ideas is welcome to call me. 303 eight eight one 1045. I can call you back and make it my dime if you like.

HELP if someone has an idea.

Michael

Edited December 25, 2011 by mlapaglia

[Denster]

It sounds like you have a timing issue. With the boss this is a simple situation. You didn't say if this was a new machine or one you purchased used. I am suspecting that you either have a broken tooth on the AR-05 shuttle shaft gear or a broken tooth on the rack where it contacts that part or you have a piece of something in there that is gumming up the works. At least that is what it sounds like. If it is a new machine I would call Tippmann tomorrow and they will take care of you. If it was a used machine go to their website and watch the video on installing a new rack. It's pretty simple and will let you take the rack out to examine it and with a flashlight the shuttle shaft gear. You will also see how to reinstall the rack for correct timing. It's easy and not rocket science. One other possibility is that the lock screw on the needle shaft gear AR-10 came loose and allowed the gear to rotate a bit. Hope this helps.

[Denster]

Here is the link to the troubleshooting video. http://www.tippmannindustrial.com/video.php?image=Trouble&osCsid=e353727d737d6bff8a0cb1542c6bb316 You will need to watch it all the way through as the rack gear is the next to the last segment but you probably should watch all of it anyway. It wouldn't allow me to fast foward to just that segment. Wouldn't be a bad idea to download it and burn it to a cd.

[mlapaglia]

It sounds like you have a timing issue. With the boss this is a simple situation. You didn't say if this was a new machine or one you purchased used. I am suspecting that you either have a broken tooth on the AR-05 shuttle shaft gear or a broken tooth on the rack where it contacts that part or you have a piece of something in there that is gumming up the works. At least that is what it sounds like. If it is a new machine I would call Tippmann tomorrow and they will take care of you. If it was a used machine go to their website and watch the video on installing a new rack. It's pretty simple and will let you take the rack out to examine it and with a flashlight the shuttle shaft gear. You will also see how to reinstall the rack for correct timing. It's easy and not rocket science. One other possibility is that the lock screw on the needle shaft gear AR-10 came loose and allowed the gear to rotate a bit. Hope this helps.

Denster, Its a new Machine that arrived Saturday. I wound thing Tippman would be closed tomorrow because of the holiday today but I will call them as soon as I can.

Thanks for the info. I figured it was something that beyond my ability to tinker since its in warranty. I just hate new things that break I tend to lose confidence on them. It was catching as I described in the first post from the moment I pulled it out of the box. It lasted long enough for me to get the tensions right then failed. I really wonder if this one went through QC. There are paint chips on it and the material edge roller guide shaft is frozen up and wont turn, yes I loosen the screw:)..

I well. I guess I wait. I can pull the rack gear I guess and look at the teeth on the Shuttle shaft gear and the rack gear. Right now I need some coffee and a nap.

Thanks for the info and your help.

Michael

[mlapaglia]

I can see the bottom rack gear completely and the gear it connects with from the hole on the side. There are no teeth issues. So the shuttle may be the problem. I do not have a ring pliers or I would try removing it and looking.

I also found some teeth damage on the top gear on the handle might have been caused from the initial problem when I was trying to complete the cycle and the strange. noise.

I should stop and let it go but its my toy and I want to play with it.

Michael

[Ken Nelson]

I can see the bottom rack gear completely and the gear it connects with from the hole on the side. There are no teeth issues. So the shuttle may be the problem. I do not have a ring pliers or I would try removing it and looking.

I also found some teeth damage on the top gear on the handle might have been caused from the initial problem when I was trying to complete the cycle and the strange. noise.

I should stop and let it go but its my toy and I want to play with it.

Michael

I think the machine looks like it could use some lubrication. Edited December 25, 2011 by Ken Nelson

[TwinOaks]

The edge roller problem is one YOU can fix....and you get to use A HAMMER!!!!!

When I got mine, it was really stiff....barely able to 'roll'. After examination, it was apparent that the roller wheel was pressed onto the shaft just a tiny smidgen too tight. A center punch and a few taps later, it was free wheeling like it should. If nothing else, you get to feel better because you hit something with a hammer.

I can empathize with the feeling......I dropped too few hints as to what I might want this year............I got a Christmas tree ornament, a coffee mug, and a box of "Whopper -malted milk balls". That's it.

Keep a positive outlook and call Tippmann in the morning. If you get an answering machine, leave a message and tell 'em you got a broke Christmas Present.....they''ll take care of you.

[mlapaglia]

The edge roller problem is one YOU can fix....and you get to use A HAMMER!!!!!

When I got mine, it was really stiff....barely able to 'roll'. After examination, it was apparent that the roller wheel was pressed onto the shaft just a tiny smidgen too tight. A center punch and a few taps later, it was free wheeling like it should. If nothing else, you get to feel better because you hit something with a hammer.

I can empathize with the feeling......I dropped too few hints as to what I might want this year............I got a Christmas tree ornament, a coffee mug, and a box of "Whopper -malted milk balls". That's it.

Keep a positive outlook and call Tippmann in the morning. If you get an answering machine, leave a message and tell 'em you got a broke Christmas Present.....they''ll take care of you.

Mike,

I have had Christmass's like that. I feel your pain. Ok I discovered the problem (the second one that showed up today). The screw for the material edger was too long and hitting the shuttle ring as it tried to go by. Backed the screw off and it unlocked and started to stitch again. Horray!!!!!!. Now in the spirit of full disclosure I have to say that I caused the problem. I had taken the material edge guide off this morning and put the screw back in the machine so I would know where it was. Right at this point I was interrupted and didn't get back to the machine for an hour. by then I had forgotten that I had placed the screw back. Tried the machine and it was locking up as described. Had I been able to try it right after putting the screw in I would have known that the change had caused the problem. It was only after I had removed the shuttle that I saw the problem.

So that is fixed but I still have the problem where it catches right at the end of the cycle and clicks and becomes hard to push. Only with tension. It happens at the point of the cycle where the thread take up arm starts to move back yo. The arm is free but that is an easy way to tell you when it starts. Since it is at least working I can wait until tomorrow to talk to Tippmann. Lets hope they are open.

Thank to everyone that made suggestions. Now we know that you can not store the material edge guide screw in the machine without the guide attached.

Denster thanks for pointing me in the direction of the shuttle. FYI the trouble shooting video comes on a DVD with the machine and you can jump to the correct parts unlike the downloaded version.

Mike, Thanks for all your ideas and hand holding. In my case its the shaft not the wheel that will not turn. But I did go out and beat on some metal with a hammer before I came back in and discovered the screw issue. That was a great suggestion.

I need to figure out how to measure the 1 lb pull without buying a trigger pull gauge. I should be able to do something with a bottle of water and some string. Hmmmm....

Thanks again everyone.

Michael