Another 4500 question

[dikman]

Sorry about this but it seems I keep having questions. I decided to adjust it according to Uwe's excellent video and other than the hook needing a minor adjustment it looked fine and sews ok. I decided to go through the Juki 441Engineers manual and on page 42 it refers to top feed timing. It says the needle tip should align with the top of the feed dog when the presser foot and needle come down. My needle tip is still a few mm above the feed dog when the presser foot is resting on it, so obviously needs adjusting and it refers to the top feed cam but doesn't say where it is (the parts list isn't helpful here). Where is the adjustment for this?

Edit: I think I've found it, the parts list refers to a "driving cam" which appears to be the part the Engineers manual calls a "top feed cam".

Edited January 13, 2020 by dikman

[CowboyBob]

It is the one in the back where the rod comes out which has the sliding walking foot adjustment on it,the cam is inside the head on the top shaft & has 2-screws in it to loosen so you can rotate it on the shaft.

[dikman]

Thanks for confirming it Bob (although I would call it an eccentric, not a cam). I'd noticed before that the leather was actually moving slightly in reverse at the end of each stitch cycle and a quick play showed this is the adjuster, now I just need to get the setting right - my first effort threw it way out of whack!

[RockyAussie]

42 minutes ago, dikman said:

Thanks for confirming it Bob (although I would call it an eccentric, not a cam). I'd noticed before that the leather was actually moving slightly in reverse at the end of each stitch cycle and a quick play showed this is the adjuster, now I just need to get the setting right - my first effort threw it way out of whack!

That's one where a little bit goes a loooooong way. If you get it right with less than 3 try's you're way better than me. 

[dikman]

Yep, I can't count how many adjustments it took to get me back to my starting point!!!!

I've gone through all the adjustments in the Juki manual. Now, bear in mind that straight out of the box it sewed, using different stitch lengths and up to 3/4" thick with no real problems. To get it into spec, however, I had to tweak the hook, needlebar height (2mm low), readjust the feet height and clearances and fix that slight reverse motion of the stitching cycle (the eccentric/cam that I couldn't find).

I'm getting good at this.

[RockyAussie]

46 minutes ago, dikman said:

Now, bear in mind that straight out of the box it sewed, using different stitch lengths and up to 3/4" thick with no real problems

I have to say that they are about the most forgiving machine I have ever come across. When you go through all the specs and see how many things can be out and yet they still mostly seem to do a decent job?????

[RemingtonSteel]

On 1/13/2020 at 3:46 PM, dikman said:

I'm getting good at this.

I know the feeling. I think having a problem early on was the best thing that could have happened to me, as it forced me to learn how the machine works.  Once I ran through UWE's video to re-time my machine, it ran smoother, and quieter.  That is how I knew mine was dialed in.  Except for the old clutch motor (which I am getting used to by the way) the machine purrs like a kitten. 

I am glad you have the kinks worked out of your machine.  Now go sew something and give us a looksee. 

[dikman]

Well, I just finished tweaking it - again - and changed a pulley on the reducer to try and get it to run smoother (the brushless motor isn't as smooth at very slow speed as a brush-type motor). I'm getting there. And I agree, having issues right from the start has been good as I've got a pretty good understanding of this machine now.

As for sewing something, it could be a while. The weather's been hot, which I don't like, and my hay fever has been particularly bad this year. The doc put me on yet more medication for it (one of the problems with getting old is the number of tablets you end up taking!!!) and I have an acute lack of enthusiasm for doing much as a result.

Still better than the alternative, I guess.

[Bert51]

I think the best way to learn about your machine is to get some scrap and play with it, well I mean sew with it.

Learn what size needle works best with your thread.

One thing I do know, your right about our health as we get older and sadly if you don't look after yourself, no-one else will either.

Bert.

[RemingtonSteel]

I wonder if the allergies are worse in part, because of all of the smoke in the air from the fires you guys have been having.  Even if the smoke doesn't appear to be heavy near where you live, doesn't mean there aren't particles in the air. 

I hope you get some relief from the heat.  We usually get at least one week a year where the temp here is 43+ degrees celsius, and it is not much fun to be outside, or worse yet, in a hot shed, so I feel your pain.

Never really thought of it before, but I guess Australia and California are a lot alike... It can get pretty hot in areas during the summer months, and we seem to be on fire half the time.  

[Wizcrafts]

45 minutes ago, RemingtonSteel said:

43+ degrees celsius

That's 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit, for those of us not familiar with non-US measurements.

[dikman]

Fortunately the smoke hasn't been much of an issue where I live (up in the hills, it mainly affected the lower suburbs). A cool change has come through and it's almost cold now! Won't last, of course, as Feb/March are traditionally our hottest months. There are certainly some similarities between parts of Australia and California, climate-wise, but fortunately not politically.