Singer Serger help

I bought a used serger (14U85) off of Craigslist and got it Thursday. It worked yesterday. Then, I tried to disable the cutting thing yesterday, and now I think I may have messed up the timing. When I put the cutting blade back it either doesn't move (and therefore doesn't cut) or it takes about 3 stitches and then grrrrrs like it's caught. If I move the cutter thing to the back where its' supposed to go when it's disabled, it grrrrs again.

I'd so so love any advice.

Reply to
caraafaus
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I'm not familiar with this serger but have you tried turning the hand wheel and watching to see if you can figure out why it's not working? One of my sergers is very picky about having the blades lined up and meshing correctly.

I'm sure someone will come along who will be able to help you more than I can.

Judie

Reply to
Judie in Penfield NY

It really sounds to me like the blades are misaligned and hitting. That will stop it from serging properly. Recheck that you have the top blade exactly where it's supposed to be.

HTH

Sharon

Reply to
Sharon Hays

Thanks. I'll start with that, I was thinking that but afraid to loosen the screw and mess it up more.

~~

Reply to
carafaus

Looked at it more- the moving blade for sure has issues, but with that disengaged the rt and lt lopers are also grazing and catching on eachother. I wish my instruction book had more instructions, they don't even mention adjusting any of these things

Reply to
carafaus

You've got a timing problem, then, which means a trip to the serger doc. Serger timing is a bit trickier than sewing machine timing, alas.

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Bummer. Any tips on how not to mess up the timing? I'm sure I did it, but I only used it for about an hour the other day.

Reply to
caraafaus

I'm wondering if the knife isn't getting 'set' all the way when you reposition it. Did you get the manual with it?

Reply to
IMS

More likely you knocked one or both the loopers out of alignment when you jammed it up. Timing is very hard to disrupt on a serger. I have been repairing for 30 years and maybe a half dozen times needed to reset timing. Never the less sergers are tricky beasts and it is in your best interest to have it serviced professionally, A good repair shop will also be willing to give you some brief lessons, threading etc. If you do not have a manual, beg borrow or steal one.

Reply to
Ron Anderson

Okay. I'm rather broke, so I'm going to see if I can mess with the loopers myself a little bit.

Reply to
caraafaus

I have another update, we got it to sew again. The only problem now is that when the cutter is down (engaged) the right looper hits it when it's on it's way around, moving clockwise. As long as the cutter is back it's fine.

Reply to
caraafaus

Then you still have a major problem. A serger which cannot trim off excess as it sews is mostly worthless.

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

LOL, thanks.

Reply to
carafaus

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but really, a serger has to have a working cutter. If you are in Ron Anderson's area, I highly recommend him for service.

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

I know, I was just kinda hoping someone would say 'okay, if you have this and not that working, do this :) ' I know I need the cutter, at's why I bought the thing :) Though serging even without the cutter is way faster than trying to do an overlock stitch on my regular machine.

Ron Anderson sounds really knowledgeable, but unfortunately I live in Montana. Going to see who knows about machines here.

:) Cara

Reply to
caraafaus

Good luck. Try to get recommendations from friends and/or other sewists, perhaps ask at your local fabric store(s).

*Real* repairmen/women are very rare.

I don't know if it would help you (there does not seem to be anyone in Montana listed), but you might search for a professional in Idaho, Wyoming or the Dakotas on the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals site and ask where they have their equipment repairs done:

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

I sympathize. I drive to California for service when I need it.

Reply to
Pogonip

Who services you in CA?

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

*cough* For sewing machines, I go to a place in Grass Valley. Creative Machine Arts. Nice little shop, good mechanic. Penny Ragland is the owner. She used to sell knitting machines, too.
Reply to
Pogonip

Oh, I misunderstood when you wrote "I drive to California for service when I need it." I thought you had a special fellow...

Well, never mind, I'm so glad you cleared that up. ;->

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

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