False bobbin breaks and clanking noise after repair

[crookednail]

Hi Everyone...
We have an Amaya "big red" and believe it or not this all starts with an uncut thread...
The thread did not cut prior to traveling to another needle and it actually pulled the head so the needles weren't lined up correctly. Had a tech out that replaced the takeup lever on needle 7 and adjusted the tread cutter which still isn't cutting right (we have a new one to put on). Then he was done "fixing" the machine it sounded horrible! Needle #7 sounds like my machine use to but when sewing with any of the other 15 needles the machine makes a loud clanking noise almost like something is hitting the tech assures me that this is how they all sound and swears I won't do any damage running it and it's fine??? I also notice a clicking sound as the needle case moves past each takeup lever which wasn't there before. AND I can no longer use my bobbin detect which was working fine before and don't understand how that "went" bad with the repair. We replaced the sensor bar and still can't use the bobbin detect without constant false bobbin break messages...by constant I mean no more than a couple of stitches and stops for a false bobbin break. I've replaced the bobbin case and checked the tension I have about a 2" drop. Tried adjusting the setting but am getting no where.

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Sue

[gcannon]

Did you watch this "tech" do the procedures on your machine? He needed to be using guages and very specialized tools to do the repairs you describe, and if he wasn't, I suspect that that may be the beginning of the problem. Make sure any Amaya tech you use is Melco certified, as the Amayas are a completely different animal from all the others. As far as the clanking- yes they do to some extent- is the machine properly lubricated? try oiling the needle bars and run a test pattern that uses every needle. The clicking that you hear is the main thread-feed gear not being "home" go under tools>maintenance>steppers>send thread feed home. False bobbin detect- try tightening up the bobbin tension just a hair. That's all I have time to input right now, but hope it helps some.

[crookednail]

Unfortunately, he was here 4 hours the first time and 6 hours the second time he did arrive with a tool case but I did not watch him the whole time. Most of the 6 hours I think was trying to please me because there is no denying the difference between needle 7 and the rest. He's the same tech that melco had do a warranty repair to the machine in 2007 so I'm sure he is melco certified. The machine has definitely been well lubricated throughout it's lifetime and was well lubricated while the tech was here also. The clanking is totally new...not improved just new.
Sue

[gcannon]

The clanking should have not have started AFTER a tech visit, I agree. My tech and I always run the machine until we are both satisfied that it is in top running condition before he leaves. I am sorry that you are having a rough time after the visit. You might try calling Rod & see if he can help over the phone. Is there another tech in your area?

[Rod or Sharon]

The Big Red trimmer system is much, much different than the XT series trimmers...apples and oranges and adjusted in a much different manner. It is one of those adjustments that can be done in 5 minutes or 2hours later you are pulling your hair out...very touchy at times...

As far as the clicking....a clicking noise can be the threadfeed gear unlocks being depressed by a roller as the needlecase moves across the machine. A loud clicking or more of a snapping noise is more often related to what Greg described.

As to needle # 7. This could be that the needlebar has slipped in the needlebar clamping stud, it could be bent, the needle clamp may be hitting the presserfoot, the needle depth adjustment may be off. Now if 7 sounds good and all the others now sound bad....look for a common denominator. Something is hitting something. I would have to know what all the tech looked at and what adjustments were made and why to give any real diagnosis...is the needlecase cover on securely? Is it hung in the upper securement groove, are the takeup levers striking any part of the needlecase cover. This is the type of common denominator to be looking for.....

Rod Springer

[crookednail]

Okay sent the main thread feed gear home and all is quiet while switching needles. [img]smile.gif[/img] THANKS

Any clues on why the bobbin detect may have quit working? It sews fine with it off and fine if I use the bobbin timer. Tried adjusting the case several times and even changed cases. Also tried different upper and lower limits and it has a new sensor bar.

The "clanking" sound while sewing sounds kind of like having the presser foot down to low and hitting the needle plate...but that's not it. Everything that I can see looks like it's moving freely no rubbing etc. The machine seems to be sewing fine just hate running something if it's in pain and causing more issues. The tech told me to use the machine there is nothing wrong with it that he can see...so I guess I use it.

[Ted II]

I worked on a "red" last week and the guy called me 2 days later. I had replaced the thread feed gear and he was hearing a clanking noise. I went there yesterday and his presser foot had lost a bushing and the presser foot was losse as a goose. I go back Monday to install a new one. See how loose your foot is.
Ted MO Tech

[crookednail]

The presser foot feels tight and if I stare at it while sewing I can see that it's not even touching the fabric. Sue

[gcannon]

Do you have it at it's lowest? Usual is all the way down & two clicks up.

[Rod or Sharon]

I have found with the Reds, on flats, we run the presserfoot as low as we can get it as long as it is not leaving a foot print on the fabric....that means all the way down and it works just fine. On caps we are usually up 1 and sometimes two clicks, but that is because we no longer use the "raised needle plate" and the wings with the cap driver. If you use the raised needleplate then you really should use the wings and also you will have to raise the presserfoot all the way up and drop it a bit to ge the best results to where the presserfoot does not mar the material or hammer....

Rod Springer

[crookednail]

We usually run the presser foot down all the way possibly one click up for everything expect caps. Hats have never been my favorite thing sometimes they run flawlessly and other times they seem to be a nightmare. So...it's possible run hats without the raised plate and wings...do you find they run or look better with that method? What made you go to that method?

[levelbest]

On the classic reds - we NEVER use the raised needle plate or the wings on hats and everything looks fine.

[Merlin1964]

Would my 2004 AMAYA be considered the classic red?

And is there a good advice on how to setup and do hats? This hat setup is totally different than my old machine.....

Sorry to change the subject...
Jeff

[Just Sew It]

If you want to e-mail me offline, I can tell you how I do it.
Jo
[email protected]

[crookednail]

UPDATE...I'm doing the 20,000,000 presser foot stitch lubrication and wonder if the following is causing the clanking noise when sewing...

I have the black cover off and it tells me to lift the presser foot and apply the EMB grease to the surface of the cam follower from what I can see in the picture it looks like there should be plenty of room to put the brush in and grease it. HOWEVER I can't push the foot up to expose the black "cam follower" because it hits what I'm going to call a "rod which is attached to a cam" that is behind it. SHOULD I be able to push the presser foot up freely with ample access as shown in the picture to grease the black part? Could this be one of my issues?

Sue