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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: punksmum
Date: 03-03-2006, 11:08 AM (1 of 12)
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Hi All, I just found this board and IIIIIIII Love it!! I do however have a problem I hope all you can help me with. I bought a used Babylock Serger from someone that assured me it works great. I am stupid  I didn't try it at her house first. I got it home started to try it... and it sews for a few stitches then stops  (it's almost like it's out of power or something) Can anyone help me?? I will gladly try anything. I would really appreciate any help or advice you have to offer.Thanks Girls  Have a sewper day! |
User: punksmum
Member since: 03-03-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 03-03-2006, 12:13 PM (2 of 12)
| The first thing I'd do is take it back to the person that I bought it from. Ask her/him to try it out & explain what it's doing. Maybe there is a simple answer, otherwise the person should return your money or have it repaired for you. I wouldn't dream of selling something that didn't work.Just how I feel. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: paroper
Date: 03-03-2006, 01:26 PM (3 of 12)
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Please don't think I am nuts. It sounds like an electrical connection to me. Sergers really vibrate and if there is a connection that isn't too solid, it would be easy for it to vibrate enough to loosen the connection. Make sure that it is solidly plugged into the machine and the wall (and foot pedal) hopefully, the plug is not not well seated (blush...plz don't ask how I know this). Check and make sure there nothing visibly wrong with the wiring. Unplug and move your hands up and down all the cords feeling to see if you can feel any bumps or "hitches" in the cording. It could also be insdie the machine itself. Sergers are things that people either use a lot or not at all. It is possible that it has been months since this serger was used. The owner may not know if it was working when last used.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 03-03-2006, 06:05 PM (4 of 12)
| It might be something minor like a bad on/off switch or plug or even possibly the foot controller is going out. Some things I would consider first..Have you looked at all the threads inside the serger after this happens to see if loopers and needle threads are in all the guides and are in proper position or entangled? Are threads well seated in their tension discs? Is the serger set up correctly with stitch width and length including the D/F and pressure? Some sergers do not sew if the looper cover door is open..could this door be loose and popping open a bit? |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 03-03-2006, 07:34 PM (5 of 12)
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Electrical would be my first guess too but it could be the feed eccentric. A number of Babylocks are prone to having the feed eccentric heating up and binding. Will the machine start running again after it sits awhile? If so, run it until it stops. Then feel on the back side of the stitch length control. It should be cool. If it is warm or hot that is your problem. You will need to take it into the shop. The part is recognized as a defective part so if you go to an authorized Babylock dealer you should only have to pay labor.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-04-2006, 12:23 AM (6 of 12)
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It's so nice to have a man around, especially one that knows what he is doing! Thank you, Tom. You and Bill are life savers!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: punksmum
Date: 03-04-2006, 04:28 PM (7 of 12)
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Hello All, Well since my last post, I rethreaded and used lint brush just to make sure there wasn't any lint anywhere, and checked the cords. The cords are fine just really hard to plug in the machine. But, now when I push on the pedal nothing moves...... The hand wheel trys to turn but it won't  like it's stuck or something. I don't know what to do next... Help? What should I try? It sound like it wants to run but doesn't. I did remove all threads to see if I could turn the handwheel by hand.... I can but it is very hard/tight to turn. When I plugged it back in, you can hear the motor trying to turn the handwheel but nothing. I called a repair shop and the want $55 just to look at it!! YIKES! Thank you P.S. It is a Baby Lock BLSE300 P.S.S. I did get in touch with the lady I bought it from to tell her what was happening and she said it was fine when I left her RV. What was I to do?
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User: punksmum
Member since: 03-03-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 03-04-2006, 10:17 PM (8 of 12)
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Check around for another repair shop. Free estimates are still the norm in most areas.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: crazy4quilting
Date: 03-09-2006, 11:36 AM (9 of 12)
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Hi There, I once had a sewing machine that sat up in my Mom's garage so long that all it really needed to do was be oiled. My situation back then sounds like yours now. Sometimes the gear/mechanical parts freeze up if not maintained properly and oiled. Did she have this sitting up for a long time possibly? If so, you may want to try this first before bringing it to a shop. After I had oiled the sewing machine thoroughly, it worked fine. Just a thought. Libby A Girl Can Never Have Too Much Fabric!
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User: crazy4quilting
Member since: 03-14-2002 Total posts: 51 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 03-09-2006, 12:20 PM (10 of 12)
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hmmm, RV that almost screams damage/neglect. If she takes it all over with her in the RV that thing has been bouncing around getting knocked and shook. Did she still have the original box with all the styrofoam or some other way of protecting that poor machine from all the vibration driving down the road causes? If no then there could be a multitude of things rattling around in there just waiting for the next use to break. I noticed you cleaned it up but did you oil it? I don't know about other sergers but mine needs a lot more oil than your regular sewing machine. 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: paroper
Date: 03-09-2006, 02:07 PM (11 of 12)
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Your best bet is to make a habit of ALWAYS cleaning a machine thoroughly before putting it up, even if you only think you are putting it in storage for a little while. Days can easily turn into weeks, months. If you KNOW that it is going to be stored for a while, the best thing to do is to have it professionally cleaned. Lint and old threads that may be left in the machine can wick the oils and lubricants out of it where they are located. If you remove them before you store your machine, it will store better. Your best bet is to use your machine at least somewhat regularly, just like a car, it helps keep it in condition.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-09-2006, 02:29 PM (12 of 12)
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Helps keep you in condition too. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
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