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From: taniwi
Date: 03-16-2006, 07:44 PM (1 of 7)
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I just recently finished my project at my friend's house since the sewing machine that we have at my house isn't working. We have a Signature sewing machine Model# UHTJ276A from 1966. The last time the machine worked was apx. seven years ago. On a whim I looked at our sewing machine and from what I discovered (along with my parents) everything is fine with the machine with the exception that the bobbin thread will not pick up to make a stitch. My parents and I spent a while studying the manual and taking the bobbin case and shuttle out of the machine and putting it back only to come to the same conclusion. So, my question, are we doing something wrong when putting the bobbin case and shuttle back or are we missing a step not noted in the manual? |
User: taniwi
Member since: 02-14-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-16-2006, 09:36 PM (2 of 7)
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Your needle has to meet at the same level with the hook. There are two different lengths of needles that I know of, there is also a special needle used for cover stitch machines and there are also commercial needles. All household models that I am familiar with use the needle that has a flat back. Check your manual and first make sure that your needle is the right length and has the correct code for your machine like (HA). THEN make sure, according to the manual that the flat part is facing the right direction. On most machines the needle faces to the back. One of the machines that I sewed on years ago had a needle where the flat part went to the left and I have sewn on one years ago (could have been my mom's old Signature) where the flat part went to the right (not as common). Your machine may also suggest a particular brand of needle if you can get it, you'll want to do that. Each brand of needle has a different type of eye and trench down the back of the needle and that has a lot to do with the way the machine uses it. Along with the direction of the needle, be sure that it doesn't have a broken tip...it is possible that it was put up after the needle broke. You need to also make sure that the needle is in the machine all the way. It is possible that it has somehow fallen down a bit over time. The other, most common thing is that you don't put the bobbin in the case going the correct direction. Some machines are just not that particular, most are very particular. You also need to be sure that you get your thread under the bobbin's tension spring. Usually that is a flat addition to the case, but different machines have different types of tension controls. After you have threaded the top of the machine and put the thread in the bobbin, leave a tail on the bobbin. Hold the top thread under the presser foot and to the left of the machine, turn the hand wheel a full rotation. The top thread should pull the middle of the bobbin thread's tail up through the hole in the presser plate. Take a pair of scissors or something flat and run under the presser foot and clear the thread to the left of the machine. If you can't pull up the bottom thread, you still have a problem with the machine's timing. If you can't figure it all out, I think that you should be able to have it serviced at almost any dealer who services machines. I don't recall there being any special problems with servicing these machines. 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: taniwi
Date: 03-16-2006, 10:38 PM (3 of 7)
| Thank you so much! I'm going to go double check the needle. I just checked the manual and it only specifies on the length. I'll also double check the bobbin and make sure that it is in the right way. |
User: taniwi
Member since: 02-14-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: wghmch
Date: 03-16-2006, 11:31 PM (4 of 7)
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The MW machines of this era were made by "Happy" and use a standard 15X1 or 705 needle. If the bobbin/shuttle face the front, the flat side of the needle goes to the back, and if the bobbin/shuttle face the left side, the flat side goes to the right and it threads left to right. Be sure it is threaded correctly, and rotate the hand wheel toward the operator. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 03-17-2006, 05:32 PM (5 of 7)
| Yep, I used to sell MW Signatures in the 1980's and it is as Bill said they took the standard needles like many other Japanese machines. The needles should not be hard to find and are usually sold in all fabric stores. Bill knows his machines (and I don't know how he can remember it all ) and yes Wards had Happy machines. The Wards serger that we had at the time was a 3 thread HappyLock. A cute little thing that worked ok but a bugger to thread. It was much like the Simplicity sergers of today with that little hole to thread at the left end of the head of the lower looper. That little machine is what sparked the interest that I have in sergers today but my first serger was a wonderful Babylock. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: taniwi
Date: 04-05-2006, 07:44 PM (6 of 7)
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After I spent a few hours trying to figure out what was wrong and attempting what paroper told me, my dad caved and took it to the shop, and apparently the timing was off, the needle height was wrong and I think a couple other things as well. But the machine has been fixed and I've already sewn on it. Which made me very happy. I'm also rather glad that we still have a bunch of needles from Montgomery Wards (which is nice since MW closed down where I am) which I think we got when my parents bought the sewing machine from their neighbor, maybe fifteen years ago. 
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User: taniwi
Member since: 02-14-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: wghmch
Date: 04-05-2006, 09:12 PM (7 of 7)
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"I'm also rather glad that we still have a bunch of needles from Montgomery Wards" It's fine to use these needles, but don't be concerned because they are the same needles as most all the other household SMs use. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
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