Needle Bar Stuck Down

[Amy]

I could really use some help! My machine stopped in the middle of stitching with a Y axis error. I hit the e-stop and then released the e-stop. I thought everything was okay cause the needle went back up. When I tried to back up before starting to stitch again, the machine asked if I wanted to trim and I clicked on yes. Big mistake! the grabber bar went back and the needle came back down. Now I am stuck.

I found a post that said with the e-stop pressed, remove the needle clamp from the needle bar. Then rotate the top shaft which will take the needle bar up. I have the needle clamp off but cannot rotate the top shaft. Is there anything that needs to be loosened before the shaft can rotate? I am assuming the top shaft is the shaft that goes to the needle bars and take-up levers.

Please help!

Thanks in advance,
Amy in Indiana

[Rod or Sharon]

Amy,

What they are calling the "top shaft" is really the " Z axis shaft". This is located above the sewing arm and, in a rectangular shaped hole, behind the needlecase. It is a silver rod that runs from the front towards the back of the machine.

Make sure the E-stop is depressed or the shaft will not turn.

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[Just Sew It]

Amy, it can be hard to turn for a woman's hand. I use one of those waffled jar grippers to hang on to it.
Jo

[Amy]

Thanks Rod and Jo. I finally got the needle bar back up. I ended up having to take the grabber bar off too and that allowed the shaft to move easier.