Foot Lift sticking problem with 441 clone

[dgkfit]

Hello,

    Your help is needed.  I have a 2 year old 441 clone, one of the popular brands.  It has a chronic problem.  The mechanism that lifts the presser feet to remove material from under the feet and needle sticks, usually in the UP position.  I have done what the importer says do, and it still does it.  Is there any advice out there as to how to fix it?  

 

Thanks  Dale

[Wizcrafts]

Just rotate the pressure screw until the presser bar frees up and drops. The hole in the screw is sometimes bored slightly off center. Oh those Chinese!!!

[CowboyBob]

There's locknut(ring) for when you adjust the foot pressure,loosen that & see what happens.Also have you ever taken the side cover off & oil everything in there including the top & lower part of this bar?

[Uwe]

You'll have to be a little more forthcoming with information if you want meaningful answers. Otherwise it's just a wild guessing game. Not sure why the brand is a secret.

Is it sticking with manual foot lift lever, pedal foot lift chain, or both?

How high does the foot  lift when it sticks?

What exactly was that recommended thing you did that did't work?

Did you buy the machine new? Has the foot lift ever worked properly?

[dgkfit]

hello wiz, bob, and uwe, 

 

thank you all for your rapid reply.    i will try to answer all your questions, and try what you recommended.  it is a cobra 4.  i bought it new, only because its dealer was the closest dealer to me.  but it has been a good machine, and the service has been fine. 

1    it will   stick up no matter how it was put there, foot pedal or manual.

2    the recommendation was that i take a dremel and motor-file off some of the end of the lever's knob, which attaches to the fork on the back / end of the machine.  i did this some.

3   the big presser foot pressure knob is adjusted way down tight for the thin fabric i sew.   is that making the foot stick in the up position???

4    it has been a while since i oiled inside the end plate.   i had a machine mechanic come and try to fix the problem, last fall, but he hasnt totally fixed it.   and, he looked inside the cover plate.    which place inside there should i especially oil to treat this problem?

 

thank you  dale k

 

[Uwe]

If the mechanic sitting in front of the machine couldn't figure it out, it'll be a real challenge for us to do it remotely and blind-folded.

As for oiling, remove the side cover and oil everything that moves when you lift the feet. Anywhere metal touches metal and moves needs to be oiled.

I'd recommend a few simple process-of-elimination steps to see if you can narrow down the source of the foot lift bind.

Loosen the foot pressure screw all the way and remove the screw. If foot lift bind goes away, then that screw is where to investigate further. If it still binds with the pressure screw removed, then the problems lies elsewhere.

Closely inspect everything that moves as you lift the feet and look for visible rub marks, scratches, etc. Sometimes the problem hides in plain sight.

 

 

Edited March 31, 2018 by Uwe

[dgkfit]

hello uwe,

  thank you for your help.   i oiled the bolt that goes up and down inside the lockscrew that adjusts the presser foot height.   that helps alot.  we shall see.  your "hiding in plain sight" input helped me look at that.  i will sew tomorrow.   thank you and i will reply with more....dale

[brmax]

Has to have the thread removed from the tensioners if possible, if not at minimum removed from needle and the take up lever. With the motor power turned off. The side cover can then and has to be removed and layed in a safe place.

With the presser feet (hand lever) in raised position, step on the foot pedal for the presser release. Does this let the knob fall 

 

Good day

Floyd

 

Edited April 1, 2018 by brmax

[dgkfit]

hello floyd,  

   thanks for your input.   i didnt take the end plate off, but stepped on the foot lift, locked the hand lock, and stepped on the foot lift again.  the hand lever dropped.   this is after i oiled the center bolt on top/end.   i will take this up again tomorrow.  thanks  dale

[RockyAussie]

I would also check that all of the parts around the tension discs that get spread open are not getting caught up and or out of alignment. Was on my Cowboy.