Help - Please

[Terri H]

I'm having fraying thread breaks caused by the needle(s) becoming rough/burr. Start with a new needle (and it feels ok), after sewing maybe 5000 stitches you can start to feel it not be smooth. Keep going, then by 20,000 stitches the needle feels extremely rough and of course, thread breaks/frays are occuring. What do I need to check as to what may be causing the needle to do this? Oh, have tried this on 3 needle positions.

Thanks,

Terri

[HERB]

What are you sewing on?

[Terri H]

jersey knit, primarily with 2 layers of poly mesh backing, titanium 75/11 BP

[oldkush]

Do the needles become rough in one particular spot / side or is the needle equally rough all the way around its perimeter ?

Bob

[Terri H]

From feeling the needle (I can't see it) they become rough on the right to back.

[integrity]

Sounds like the hook make be actually striking the needle, as if the clearance is too close. The hook timing may be right but the hook is glancing off the needle point instead of a minute gap at the scarf (that flat spot on the back of the needle). I'll leave the detailed instructions to the more technically natured techs, but you're gonna have to get into the hook area and do some wrenching so to speak. You may want to talk to a tech and let them walk you thru it.

[signman]

It can also be that your top plate on the bobbin case is off center. Do your 'head down' maintainence procedure and use a magnifying glass if necessary...that needle should be dead center in the hole. Off to any side and you will get the rubbing. ALso, take the plate off and see if there is a scratch or burr in that hole-a broken needle at any time could have scratched it. Can be polished out with jeweler's polishing wheel. Did it on our Big Red several years ago and also polished off the burr on the hook that the needle hit. Was still running fine when we traded it in!

[Terri H]

David and Roland,

Thanks for all the suggestions. I redid the top plate but did not see any problems. Will have someone recheck, maybe a quick polish even if can't see anything. Will also check the gap for the hook.

Won't probably get to this until Sunday as family commitments have me tied up for the next 3 days. Will post as to what solves the problem.

Terri

[Ted II]

Terri;
Are you still under warrenty? I am a 3rd party tech for Melco and will be in your area sometime this week if you'd like a service call. Questions? Email at [email protected]
Ted II