tread break at start

[Gini]

I am having a problem with my machine- as the machines starts to stitch, it takes the first 1-2 slow stitches, it makes a pop noise and the thread breaks. It does this on multiple needles, and not every time but maybe 2 out of 3 times. I just completed the 4 million stitch maintentance, and also just reset the timing- twice. Any suggestions?

[Juli in Kona]

Try hitting the left arrow and the up arrow together. I know this resets the trimmer and I think it does other things too. I have been having all sorts of troubles lately and that key combination seems to correct it. When you do it and hear a "clunk" that is good and something has changed for the good. This is for the XT. Don't know about the Big Reds.

One of the things that I just noticed tonight is that after I loaded and ran a small dst file, the trimmer screwed up again. I hit the two arrows and it has been trimming right. Your problem of the stitch pulling out can be a problem with the trimmer. Something about the timing of everything.

also it can be a problem with the red rollers. Are they greased well?

Juli in Kona

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Gini,
Please elaborate on what you meant by "resetting the timing, twice".

Ed

[Gini]

I check and adjust the needle guard gap, the hook timing and the hook arm. I use the procedure from one of the manuals. I have had to do this many times- this time I had a thread break that went undetected and a large amount of thread and fabric got caught in the bobbin casing. After that the top thread was not picking up any bobbin thread.

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Wow,
I'm wondering if you are not tightening your rotary hook screws tight enough.
Hook timing, although designed to slip if necessary, rarely is a reoccuring problem. This is a very specific setting though. Has to be right on the money to ensure proper sewing across all 16 needles.
It's rare that I have to reset hook timing at most of the customers I see. Like maybe 4 or 5 a year. And that's more on the older EMT and EMC machines.

[Gini]

Well, I have a feeling that this machine has never been really right. I have no frame of reference. We have reset the hook timing on maybe 10-12 occassions in the 5 months we have had the machine (it's new). We also cant set the bobbin thread detector because it shows constant false bobbin breaks. We had a tech out once for $750, when the grabber bar caught on the side arm and bent extremely. We have had numerous other problems- like the problem above, and every time it seems a random series of actions eventually gets it sewing OK- it is never a simple "do x" and its fixed. I probably need to call a tech again but it is SO expensive to get one to come here (Rochester, NY)

[Russell Silva]

Hi Gini,

Where is your closest tech located? I will be in Yorkville, NY next week, if you are interested in a service call, call me at 508-277-5921.

[TAXTHEAX]

Are you sure that you have the presser foot height set correctly? When that happens to me is usualy when I have changed from sewing on one thickness material to another and forgot to adjust the presser foot,,,,just a thought. And, yes, I have also had luck with the arrow keys.

[TAXTHEAX]

Also, about the thread bunching up in the needle case, usualy happens one of two ways. 1 you forgot to put the red roller down to the pinch roller, or 2 the thread has slipped out from under the red roller and the pinch roller and is not feeding correctly. The second happens to me when I am low on a spool of colored thread that has the natural curl to it. I normally throw out the spool at that point,,,alot less aggraviting than a bunch of breaks and other problems.

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

TAXTHEAX,
Don't mean to be a stickler on terminology but thread bunching up in the needle case is usually refered to as "thread fraying".
Forgetting to put the red roller down or thread not being pinched by the red roller for any reason usually results in what's called a "bird's nest" or something similar which is in the bobbin case or rotary hook area under the needle plate.
I say this only for those folks reading this trying to make heads or tails of the information.
Sincerely,
Ed Orantes

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Gini,
Don't know how far it is from Yorkville to Rochester but if this is possible, have Russel Silva drop in on you. I can attest to Russel's talents as I've taught him every thing he knows.
Nah, just kidding. But seriously, He is an excellent tech and really cares about his customers. I would trust him with my machines 110%.
Just lock up your daughters though as he resembles heart-throb Telly Savalas.

Ed Orantes
Melco Tech & Trainer