Date
1 - 11 of 11
Bobbin thread showing on top
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Kathy Strabel
Hello, Janome users-----It's me, the pillowcase maker. I thought I had solved my thread problem a couple of days ago, but apparently not. After stitching out my second pillowcase, it turned out "just OK"--by that I mean the recipient will probably not notice, but the stitching quality is just not up to snuff. I am running tests using the native designs and finding very little difference whether I use the red dot case or the yellow dot case. I am using a new Schmetz embroidery needle, the same fabric, stabilizer, and exact same threads--a 40 wt poly Floriani, and a 90 wt bobbin thread wound onto a genuine Janome bobbin with the J engraved into the shaft of the bobbin. ( not a pre-wound). I always run at 400SPM speed. For the previous 4 or five projects, I got excellent results. Now all of a sudden, the bobbin thread is being brought to the top in some places, not everywhere. I know that this means the bobbin thread tension is not high enough to pull the top thread to the back side of the design. On page 51 of the E500 Manual, it states that the thread tension level can be adjusted with the + or -- sign. And to increase the value when using the same threads in both top and bottom. I have tried tension settings between minus 3 and positive 4, including the default "auto" setting, and the sample look about the same. This may sound like a dumb question, but does this adjustment happen to the top thread or the bottom thread? With my old embroidery machine of a different brand, it had a vertical bobbin, and I could adjust the tension of the bobbin thread just by slightly turning a tiny screw on the bobbin case. There does not seem to be any reference to the user adjusting the bobbin thread with this machine, but I cannot be 100% certain as it is not mentioned in the Manual, and the manual simply says "the thread tension......" without identifying either top or bobbin. I have examined the bobbin cases with magnification and see zero lint or tiny thread fragments interfering with the spring as Jim suggested. I even passed a thin needle between the spring and the side of the holder and got nothing. Any other suggestions other than taking it to the dealer because it will sit there for weeks and weeks, and even then I cannot be sure the problem has been fixed. Ask me how I know this.....
A frustrated embroiderer! Kathy Strabel |
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favymtz
The + or - adjustment adjusts the upper needle tension. You can adjust the bobbin tension if needed by turning the tiny screw on the bobbin holder. I don't know if our leader Jim will agree with me about that, but I have had to loosen my yellow holder because it was too tight. In addition to the tension settings that we can easily control there are other settings that a tech knows more about adjusting. Another issue is that maybe the type of bobbin thread along with your upper thread just aren't compatible with one another. I have had that occur as well. Hope this little bit helps. Favymtz On Wed, Feb 15, 2023 at 6:11 AM Kathy Strabel <ksbappa@...> wrote: Hello, Janome users-----It's me, the pillowcase maker. I thought I had solved my thread problem a couple of days ago, but apparently not. After stitching out my second pillowcase, it turned out "just OK"--by that I mean the recipient will probably not notice, but the stitching quality is just not up to snuff. I am running tests using the native designs and finding very little difference whether I use the red dot case or the yellow dot case. I am using a new Schmetz embroidery needle, the same fabric, stabilizer, and exact same threads--a 40 wt poly Floriani, and a 90 wt bobbin thread wound onto a genuine Janome bobbin with the J engraved into the shaft of the bobbin. ( not a pre-wound). I always run at 400SPM speed. For the previous 4 or five projects, I got excellent results. Now all of a sudden, the bobbin thread is being brought to the top in some places, not everywhere. I know that this means the bobbin thread tension is not high enough to pull the top thread to the back side of the design. On page 51 of the E500 Manual, it states that the thread tension level can be adjusted with the + or -- sign. And to increase the value when using the same threads in both top and bottom. I have tried tension settings between minus 3 and positive 4, including the default "auto" setting, and the sample look about the same. This may sound like a dumb question, but does this adjustment happen to the top thread or the bottom thread? With my old embroidery machine of a different brand, it had a vertical bobbin, and I could adjust the tension of the bobbin thread just by slightly turning a tiny screw on the bobbin case. There does not seem to be any reference to the user adjusting the bobbin thread with this machine, but I cannot be 100% certain as it is not mentioned in the Manual, and the manual simply says "the thread tension......" without identifying either top or bobbin. I have examined the bobbin cases with magnification and see zero lint or tiny thread fragments interfering with the spring as Jim suggested. I even passed a thin needle between the spring and the side of the holder and got nothing. Any other suggestions other than taking it to the dealer because it will sit there for weeks and weeks, and even then I cannot be sure the problem has been fixed. Ask me how I know this..... --
Favymtz |
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Pixey
Kathy,
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I suspect you may have lint buildup or a piece of thread caught in your tension disks. The fact that you said you can change the tension that much and not see any visible difference in the stitching, is a red flag to the tension disks not responding to the change. The natural tendency is to look for problems in the bottom/bobbin area but the bottom thread is generally less active and more reactive to what the top thread is doing. Try taking a piece of paper or unwaxed dental floss and work it into the tension disks and pull in one direction to see if you can dislodge whatever is in the disks. Do this several times. Also, I would try a different brand of thread and if you have one an Organ needle (particularly one of the blue tip ones). I have known of a number of Janome users who have had issues with Floriani thread and Schmetz needles. My own machines don’t like them for some reason. Maybe something about the twist with the thread. By putting in an Organ needle you are putting the machine back to the manufacturer specs. I have done a lot of projects similar to pillowcases using blue tip needles. Then see what happens. Pixey On Feb 15, 2023, at 7:11 AM, Kathy Strabel <ksbappa@...> wrote:
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Diane Joslin
I had a similar problem. There was top thread left in the machine by the thread cutter. I did a thorough cleaning of the machine and that helped. Not sure if this is your problem but thought I would mention it.
DJ |
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Kathy Strabel
Janome users-----Thank you, thank you for all your suggestions regarding my thread problem. After reading the many suggestions, I am leaning towards the theory that there is a small piece of thread or lint caught in the tension discs, or maybe in/near the thread cutter. I think this because when you consider that I had excellent results previously with the exact same threads, hoop,needle,stabilizer,fabrics, and design, that something has gone awry with the machine itself. When I have time available later today I will try the UNWAXED dental floss process a few times. I already tried that with a crisp dollar bill, as that works well with my Janome S7 sewing machine, but apparently not so much on the E500. The tension discs are barely visible on the E500. And if I remember correctly, (I have only just poured my first cup of morning coffee....), I believe that the tension disks are not even mentioned or shown in the manual. I will keep the Group informed about any progress so that someone else who might encounter this vexing problem can find possible solutions in the Group archives. This is a great Group with so many helpful people willing to share information. So much better than the blank stares I seem to get when describing a problem at the dealer. Just like with our healthcare, we have to be our own advocates and sometimes just take care of things ourselves. .....
Kathy Strabel |
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Elizabeth Mccall
Hi to JIm & anyone that knows how to care for the JANOME 15000. I have always taken my machine for a yearly clean & "oiling", but as I am getting older , I find this job too heavy for me. My service man told me to take out the bobbin case and vacuum carefully, then use a Q-TIP to clean up lint ,then a clean one to spread "3 in ONE SILICONE OIL" on the bobbin chase holder to help lucbricate ... I do this and change my needle often, even bvetween small projects, especially if I am sewing wiith cotton batting or flannel. My question is this, is this a good product to use and where else should I use it on my machine ? My machine seems to run smoothly, & it is 8 years old. Elizabeth Ann in Western NC On Thu, Feb 16, 2023 at 11:09 AM Kathy Strabel <ksbappa@...> wrote: Janome users-----Thank you, thank you for all your suggestions regarding my thread problem. After reading the many suggestions, I am leaning towards the theory that there is a small piece of thread or lint caught in the tension discs, or maybe in/near the thread cutter. I think this because when you consider that I had excellent results previously with the exact same threads, hoop,needle,stabilizer,fabrics, and design, that something has gone awry with the machine itself. When I have time available later today I will try the UNWAXED dental floss process a few times. I already tried that with a crisp dollar bill, as that works well with my Janome S7 sewing machine, but apparently not so much on the E500. The tension discs are barely visible on the E500. And if I remember correctly, (I have only just poured my first cup of morning coffee....), I believe that the tension disks are not even mentioned or shown in the manual. I will keep the Group informed about any progress so that someone else who might encounter this vexing problem can find possible solutions in the Group archives. This is a great Group with so many helpful people willing to share information. So much better than the blank stares I seem to get when describing a problem at the dealer. Just like with our healthcare, we have to be our own advocates and sometimes just take care of things ourselves. ..... |
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A. Sandra Clark
Which begs my question…..where ARE the tension discs exactly? Is there a picture or diagram.
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A. Sandra Clark On Feb 16, 2023, at 11:10 AM, Kathy Strabel <ksbappa@...> wrote:
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Cheryl Paul
Hi Kathy,
I agree with Pixey and the Janome Blue tip needle. I do use Schmetz needles on all my Janome's, but as my needle threaders don’t much care for them, I’ve gone out and purchased massive amounts of red, blue and purple tip needles (like a couple hundred dollars worth) so I don’t EVER run out. I find that they work the best in my machines - not the sewing quality, but my needle threaders work ALL the time with a Janome (Organ) needle. It is worth it to me to have comfort and no frustration. Also if the tension doesn’t seem to change with adjustments, you probably do have an issue with those tension disks and they need some sort of tender loving care given to them. You can try the unwaxed dental floss, or running a folded piece of quilting cotton through the disk on the top to see if that helps, but depending on when you last serviced the machine, it just might be the time to take it to the dealer for a check-up. Have you tried to make an appointment, so you don’t have that 100 year wait to have your machine back home again. Any business that takes that long for a general service should be able to accommodate you. It’s a different story IF a part is on order and doesn’t come in - the dealer may not have any control over that, because of the supply issues that have been happening since COVID. I’m getting tired of having that pandemic blamed this far after restrictions have lifted, but they still seem to be happening and the costs have gone up so much because of these shortages. Now my pet peeve today is that I’ve somehow broken the needle threader on my brand new Continental M17 and it is a huge, heavy machine to take to my dealer even though she is only 10-12 km from my house. I can’t carry it and I don’t want my husband to lift it either. I guess I’m going to have to get a grand son, son or son-in-law to do the honours when the sewing technician is back for holidays. I’m racking my brain trying to think of what I might have done to have caused this dilemma. I think I know what’s missing, but if that is it, WHERE did it go? Cheryl - Saskatoon |
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Pixey
One other tip to cleaning the 500e tension disks (which are buried in the vertical thread run), be sure and lock the machine first. This should open the disks and make it easier to clean between them.
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Pixey On Feb 16, 2023, at 10:09 AM, Kathy Strabel <ksbappa@...> wrote:
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Kathy Strabel
Cheryl----Yikes, knowing that "something" has fallen off of your needle threader and not being able to find it must make you a little bit crazy? Do you have one of those small magnets on a retracting wand? Sometimes used in the garage to find an errant screw or bolt when working on the motor. The wand is very slender and cold probably probe deep into the inside of your machine if done with care. Of course, it would only attract a suitable metal item, not anything plastic. As for :where did it go"??---I often think that when starting to sew a new color f thread. I pull both the top and bobbin threads up to the top, then hold them out of the way when it starts stitching. Then those thread tails get pulled downwards into the machine if I am not fast enough to hit the STOP button to trim them away. I have never found any threads hiding in the nether regions of the machine. So I just wonder where those tails go?? A mystery. I hope you find a he-man to move your M17--I wonder why they don't offer an optional fork lift with the machine for just the reason that it is so large and bulky. My peeve about moving my much-lighter and compact 500E, is that the embroidery arm is not removeable, so it sticks out 3-4 inches front and back at all times. And does not fit into any luggage I am aware of. .....AND it has no hard cover, so I have a very large Rubbermaid garage storage bin that I turn upside down over the machine when not in use. It makes a great place for my cat to sleep!!! But it makes for a delicate dance when I have to move the machine to the dealer. Hope you get to start sewing/embroidering again soon!!!
Kathy Strabel |
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Kathy Strabel
A. Sandra Clark( and others...)-----I am wondering the same. I do not see any reference to the tension disks in the manual's descriptions of the parts of the machine. In other machines I have had, they are usually easy to identify, but not on my Janome e500--and maybe other models, too. I have tried the "flossing" method, to see if there is lint or thread caught in my tension discs. I have used a heavier thread, threaded like normal through the machine and pulled it back and forth several times but have not found any "crud" stuck in the discs. I only know that my thick thread I am using to floss with is actually between the discs because when the foot lifter is up, there is no tension on the thread. ANd when I put the foot down, there is a good amount of pressure on the thread when I pull on it. However, I have yet to actually see the discs!! I did notice while I had the nose of the machine off, there are a couple items that I have zero idea what they are. One is a kidney-shaped opening with a small hollow rod that moves in time with the needle going up and down. Then, above that there is a small screw with a minus sign and a plus sign next to it, with an arrow with 2 pointers. Of course, I am not going to touch either of these things unless I know what they are for. But I just wonder especially what the minus and plus screw is for. Anyone? Jim? Favy? Pixey?
Still not able to fix the bobbin thread coming up to the top....sad face. Kathy Strabel |
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