mega quilter help
 

I have a Mega quilter 18x8..w/ stitch reg. and q both on inspira frame. Problems with bobbin tension & winding a bobbin. When I drop the bobbin to check tension it won't hardly move..have adjusted tension screw to point it has fallen out...seems like a pre wound works a little better. When I can get it to stitch it is only a short inch then a big loop shows up. I spent a huge amount of money to have nothing short of junk! If anyone has ideas please let me know....thanks a head of time! Also local Husk. Dealer no longer carries needles...help on where to order from.

Is the looping showing up on the top of the fabric or the bottom?

If your looping is showing up on the bottom of the fabric, then the problem is your top thread. Take the thread off and completely re-thread. Make sure nothing is impeding the thread as it travels through the machine (on my machine, often times the upper thread gets hung up on the carry handle). After you've done that, if you still get loops on the bottom, try adjusting your top tension or possibly switching thread.

Your bobbin thread should not be loose. Do this test - thread the bobbin as you normally would, then holding the thread, let go of the bobbin. It should drop about 6 inches and then stop. If it drops all the way, tighten the screw. If it doesn't drop at all, loosen the screw.

Hope this helps. I'm sure others will have valuable suggestions as well.

Nothing is more frustrating then your machine causing you problems especially when you have invested so much time and money into it. I would suggest walking away for a day (i call it putting it in timeout...lol) then coming back and rethreading both the top thread and reloading the bobbin. Put in a different needle, and I would use a practice piece of backing, top and batting until you get it working again. I would suggest if possible have someone else in the room to watch when your sewing to check things such as how the thread is coming off the cone and feeding in the machine and how it looks when your sewing. Just to make sure everything is going smoothly and nothing looks odd. I noticed you said you has loosen the screw on your bobbin case and if its like mine there are two screws and make sure you are adjesting the correct one. I find many vidoes on youtube very helpful and better then most the company will send with your machine as its real people fixing problems. Also on this practice run I would use a different color of thread for the top and bobbin to aid in troubleshooting if you are having issues. If you are having looping on either side of your fabric you can see which tension you need to adjust. Also if you can try a different type of thread it may be you machine simply does not like a certain brand of thread. Also what type of material are you trying to sew on? As I find fabric with a coating on them or metallic or batiks I have to use a larger needle size and go slower than my normal speed to stop me from having an issue with skipped stitches. Also I find on days when its colder and warmer I have to adjust my tension to match. The main thing is to not get frustrated as this only makes things worse. Do you have anyone close who also has a longarm that could possibly come over to help?

Have you oiled it? If you have recently bought it is it still under warranty? I have the smaller mega quilter and I have no problems with it at all. I've even used reqular (good quality) quilting needles on it. Even if it doesn't have a warranty you need to call the store and have it checked out. You can order needles from viking but it would be cheaper to google search them. I did that with a couple of items and it was so much cheaper than my LQS that sells Viking. Don't know where you live but you could also check how close another store is that could get you what you need. I can call my store later on to see if they'd ship if you want. PM and let me know.

this only works to test the bobbin if it comes out some bobbins are threaded in the machine g the thread as it travels through the machine (on my machine, often times the upper thread gets hung up on the carry handle). After you've done that, if you still get loops on the bottom, try adjusting your top tension or possibly switching thread.

Your bobbin thread should not be loose. Do this test - thread the bobbin as you normally would, then holding the thread, let go of the bobbin. It should drop about 6 inches and then stop. If it drops all the way, tighten the screw. If it doesn't drop at all, loosen the screw.

Hope this helps. I'm sure others will have valuable suggestions as well.[/QUOTE]

I have the very same machine and have had the very same problems. I did end up getting a new bobbin casing and it started working better. Another thing, if I use pre wound bobbins and cotton thread on the top, I get the big loops and a mess. If I use Robinson/Anton polester (blue spool) I have no issues at all. The machine seems to like only polester thread.

I bought my machine at Quilting Connection in Ames Iowa. Margie that works their has helped me out a lot. She not only sells the machines but is also a quilter.

Hope this helps. When the machine works it is a fabulous machine.

Oil frequently!!! I Have used king tut thread or masterpiece and had success with my mega quilter.

Do you use pre wound polester bobbins with this thread and is this thread polester or cotton?