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From: mrsblud
Date: 08-15-2005, 05:53 AM (1 of 9)
| Hi - I make and sell fitted nappies. I've had my overlocker about 2 months - in that time I've broken needles twice - the first time I was sewing two pieces of flannel, two pieces of fleece, plus polar fleece - I put the timing out. Today I was sewing two pieces of fleece together and broke a needle and once again the timing is out. Is this right that every time I break a needle the timing will go out? If so is there anyway I can fix it - $60 a time is too expensive to pay every time I break a needle. |
User: mrsblud
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-15-2005, 07:18 PM (2 of 9)
Have you examined your technique very closely?? Are you tugging at your fabric , maybe ? ? I have had a serger for over 15 years, and use it quite frequently.. and I have never broken a needle in mine..I cannot tell you how many thousands of yards of fabric I have sewed on it.. The only time I ever have to change a needle is when they get dull.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: June Harlow
Date: 08-15-2005, 10:16 PM (3 of 9)
|
Lots of times when a needle strikes the needleplate and breaks, the shaft that holds the needle slips in relationship to the rest of the machine. There's usually a setscrew on the needle bar (shaft that holds the needles) of the overlock, that you can loosen, adjust, and then re-tighten. You need to know which way (up or down) to adjust the shaft, and how much. So, as you can probably guess, tinkering with it may make things much worse, and on a new machine it will certainly void the warranty. I own several old machines, so I didn't care too much if I ruined one when I started learning how to adjust the timing. But if you're still interested, below is a link to a very good article about how to re-set your regular sewing machine timing, overlock machines are trickier, but the needle bar adjustment is somewhat the same. I usually mark where it was, then I move the shaft down 1/8". If that doesn't work I move it up 1/8" from it's original position. If that doesn't fix it then it may be more complicated, and require a trip to the sewing machine shop. sewing machine timing (http://www.apqs.com/quiltingmachinetiming.htm) By the way, pulling the fabric while you're serging is a sure way to bend the needles and break them on the needleplate. Let the machine pull the fabric through, just guide it with your hands.  Hope it helps you ! Good Luck ! June ~
"If only I could find that missing pattern piece!" June sews on a Pfaff 1209 and a Babylock 5180 serger |
User: June Harlow
Member since: 05-30-2005 Total posts: 100 
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 08-16-2005, 03:27 AM (4 of 9)
| mrsbud, I was going to post my thoughts about the problem but I see Libby has already posted the same. I was going to ask if you have been pulling on the fabric at all when serging. If so, just remember to start the fabric under the foot and once it grabs, the serger will do the rest and just gobble up the fabric. Sergers just seem to like to do their own thing without much assistance once they are set up to sew with proper tensions and correct needles. Needles on sergers are off set and not even and it is always good to check that they are as high up as far into the needle holder as they can go. Even breaking a needle on a sewing machine could possibly knock it out of time. It usually gives the machine quite a jolt. I have broken several needles on my sewing machines but I cannot remember ever breaking a needle on my sergers. Another reason for needle breakage on a serger could be forgetting to set the stitch finger back for a 4 thread stitch after doing a narrow 3 thread stitch. I hope your serger isn't damaged and will be fixed soon. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: mrsblud
Date: 08-16-2005, 05:32 AM (5 of 9)
|
Thanks. I don't think I am pulling the fabric - but maybe I am. My machine isn't new, but isn't old either (bought as a secondhand machine from a sewing shop with a 12 month warranty). It's a pain to pay $60 each time I break a needle (I've done so 3 times - twice it's put the timing out) to get the timing fixed. I wish their was a way I could fix it myself. In future I'm going to be very careful when sewing as I can't afford to pay $60 a third time. |
User: mrsblud
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: June Harlow
Date: 08-16-2005, 05:42 AM (6 of 9)
|
Do the needles break when you're sewing very fast, or is there anything similar going on before the needles break ? Also, when you turn the machine very slowly by hand, does it turn freely, or is there grinding or clicking noises when the needles come down and pass the loopers ?
June ~
"If only I could find that missing pattern piece!" June sews on a Pfaff 1209 and a Babylock 5180 serger |
User: June Harlow
Member since: 05-30-2005 Total posts: 100
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 08-16-2005, 07:40 PM (7 of 9)
| Possibly a bent looper causing the problem? |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 08-17-2005, 11:07 AM (8 of 9)
|
Having sewn diapers on my serger and broken a few needles in the process I have a different idea. Are you using a strong enough needle for that amount of fabric and are you changing you needles often enough? Most of the time when I broke a needle it was because I wasn't paying attention. Either I forgot to change the needle back from sewing lighter fabric or I forgot to change the needle after a set amount of diapers. I forget how many I would do before changing needles.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: mrsblud
Date: 08-18-2005, 06:20 AM (9 of 9)
|
Thanks girls - verdict is in - a hairline crack in the needle clamp! That's causing the broken needles - and therefore the timing issue. I am using Janome overlocker needles - the ones that the dealer supplied with the machine. I haven't changed them - unless them break. |
User: mrsblud
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 3 |
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