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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: mikecox
Date: 09-16-2003, 11:29 AM (1 of 15)
I have a new Singer "Quantum Quilter" ( Don't ask me why, I don't quilt  ) Prior to that I had a Necci. Both machines had a needle threader on them, neither one of them worked for longer than a week. Are the tolorances just too close for these things to stay in alignment, so they continue working for longer than a week? I am just wondering if I should take my new Singer in to have the needle threader realigned, or if I should just forget it and continue to thread the needle by hand. Michael
In San Diego |
User: mikecox
Member since: 09-08-2003 Total posts: 42 |
From: Magot
Date: 09-16-2003, 11:37 AM (2 of 15)
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Surely it should last longer than that! A friend of mine has a Brother she has had for years and the needle threader still works. If the threader breaks on a new machine then it doesn't fit it's specifications and I would have thought classed as faulty goods. Take it back - if it fails again, take it back, if it then fails again - demand a new machine that one is up the spout!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 09-16-2003, 05:27 PM (3 of 15)
I have the Babylok Proline and my needle threader has worked for the two years I've had it and I use it ALL the time. I'd take the machine back to have it fixed, under warranty if you can.
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 09-16-2003, 05:57 PM (4 of 15)
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I've got a Singer Quantum 3400 and have only had a problem with the needle threader when I bent the tiny little hook that goes into the eye of the needle to grab the thread and pull it through. Most usually that is why the needle threaders stop working. Check to be sure when you pull the needle threader down that you have your presser foot down and the needle shank at its highest position. Otherwise, the needle threader will not work as they are set for a specific alignment with the needle position. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-16-2003, 05:59 PM (5 of 15)
My Janome is almost ten years old and my needle threader still works every time... When my sister bought her new Pfaff 2 summers ago, she had never had a needle threader before and it took her a long time to get just the right touch for it to work...Have you been using it just fine and now it has quit ??? If so , I would run, don't walk to the dealer for it to be fixed... It certainly should be under warranty..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-17-2003, 07:40 AM (6 of 15)
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When the needle threader broke on my Pfaff it was still under warranty but I never took it in for repair because I didn't want to give up my machine for at least a week. I just take my glasses off and I can still see the hole. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-17-2003, 12:19 PM (7 of 15)
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I cannot see to thread mine with my glasses on, which is how I have to see the needle.. No, sometimes I have to do it that way, but its so much quicker to let my machine do it for me... Saves a lot of time..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: mikecox
Date: 09-17-2003, 12:47 PM (8 of 15)
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I'm glad to hear that the needle threader really does work, and they aren't just some gimmick not worth fixing...over and over and over. I think it was my fault anyway, it was very new and I may have pulled it down too forcefully, or something. I know it worked a couple of times. I'm sure the little hook is out of alignment. I'm sure they have some kind of special took that realigns it. So...as soon as I am finished with my current project I will take it back. It's still under warrenty. But...before I do that I'll try Patsy's advice and make sure everything is lined up correctly Thanks for all the feedback, I have wondered about this since I bought the machine, but I didn't want to waste my time if it was so delicate that it kept going out of alignment. I also didn't want to give it up my brand new machine right away .
Michael
In San Diego |
User: mikecox
Member since: 09-08-2003 Total posts: 42 |
From: mikecox
Date: 09-18-2003, 03:40 PM (9 of 15)
I followed your suggestion, but added a step; I changed the needle. and Voila the hook caught and threaded the needle perfectly.  Guess I was doing it wrong  , or my needle was bent.Thanks for you suggestion Michael
In San Diego |
User: mikecox
Member since: 09-08-2003 Total posts: 42 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 09-18-2003, 03:54 PM (10 of 15)
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Mike I don't know about your Singer Quantum but I can't use anything but Singer needles in mine. I've tried the Schmetz but the needle threader won't work properly on them and they hit the bottom of the bobbin casing. Apparently, the Schmetz needles are just a mico minute longer than the Singer needles, or something. Glad you got your needle threader working. Also, be forewarned. None of the needle threaders will work with the twin or triple needles. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: mikecox
Date: 09-18-2003, 04:05 PM (11 of 15)
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Thanks for the advice about the Singer needles. I'll get rid of all the Schmetz needles I have.
Michael
In San Diego |
User: mikecox
Member since: 09-08-2003 Total posts: 42 |
From: Debzy
Date: 10-07-2003, 09:37 AM (12 of 15)
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oy. machine needle threaders can be a real minefield. i've found you tend to get what you pay for, i.e. cheaper machines have cheaper threaders. one example i've seen of this is on the elna machines. the basic rule with most machine needle threaders is to have the needle in the highest position. i think on some machines you have to have it in the central position too. because the threader is just basically a tiny hook that pulls the thread through, they tend to be quite fragile so be gentle with them! of course, if the needle is not high enough, the little hook will hit the needle rather than go through the eye of the needle, and then it will usually bend and not work until put straight. you can sometimes do this yourself, depending on your eyesight hehe obviously computerised machines are easier because they usually put the needle into the highest position automatically. for example, the new brother nx range has fantastic threaders, really easy. |
User: Debzy
Member since: 06-02-2003 Total posts: 71 |
From: babybyamy
Date: 10-09-2003, 11:32 AM (13 of 15)
| I don't think my Elna machine is cheap. I have never had problems with mine. And I paid a good amount for my machines. |
User: babybyamy
Member since: 09-25-2003 Total posts: 18 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 10-09-2003, 12:30 PM (14 of 15)
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I've never heard Elna sewing machines referred to as cheap machines before now either. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Debzy
Date: 10-09-2003, 12:30 PM (15 of 15)
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sorry, i didn't mean all elnas! let me explain. where i work, we sell the 2000 range, the 3000 range and the 6000 range of elnas (i'm in the uk so i'm not sure if they go by the same model numbers elsewhere) we have all noticed a marked difference in the needle threaders on the cheaper 2000 range, to the higher 3000 range. didn't mean to offend, i think elna's are lovely machines (especially the old little elnas!), it's just that cheaper range that bugs me 
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User: Debzy
Member since: 06-02-2003 Total posts: 71 |
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