mary quite contrary

I bought an HQ Sixteen from a friend a few years ago. Now that I am retired and 20000 miles away from her I am having difficulty getting it up and running. I have watched the videos and yes, the top is threaded correctly. Finally got the bobbin wonder up and running BUT I can not get the bobbin in the machine. I have been sewing 50 years and have never had this much difficulty. Just one broken needle and I learned I have to really push it in the holder but now after my very mechanical husband can't get the bobbin to click into the machine either. Any suggestions? Thank you.

feline fanatic

I don't have an HQ but most LA are set up similar. You mention you broke the needle did you find the broken part? the tip isn't sitting down in the race area somewhere is it? I would take the bobbin out of the bobbin case inspect everything carefully. Hopefully the machine has a flywheel somewhere that you can manually lower the needle a little at a time into the race area to ensure the race is moving properly and nothing is stuck. Do this without the case inserted so you can watch to ensure everything is moving properly. If you still can't get the bobbin case back into the race area it is possible you through the machine out of timing when your needle hit the improperly inserted case and broke. However, I have never heard of the timing preventing you from snapping in the bobbin case.

PS the case will ONLY snap in one way so sometimes you need to rotate it slightly clockwise or counter clockwise to line it up to properly snap in. It is a very definite click when it seats properly. You hear it and you feel it.

QuiltE

Even though it was years ago, was the machine running properly when you bought it?

Where has it been stored?
With it sitting all these years, the environment might have done some damage and things may be seized. Or perhaps need a really good service/cleaning.

If you don't get it figured out with the help from those in the know here on the QB, give HQs 1-800# a call on Monday.

marymac628

I have a HQ16 and the one time I broke a needle it knocked the bobbin race off a little. Your bobbin will not go in if you did that. I would call HandiQuilter on Monday. They will help you no matter where or when you bought the machine.

I do not live close to a dealer so took my machine to my local sewing repair man and he took the plate off and had it fixed while I waited

yngldy

Hate when that happens! It is so frustrating when you are ready to sew and the machine isn't! I do not have that machine, but the other day I hand wound a bobbin, tried to put it in the case and it would not go. Looked at both sides of the bobbin, they looked the same. Unwound the bobbin, wound it the other way and it went in. Evidently, some bobbins have a right and wrong side. Could that be the problem? Or, try another bobbin, just for kicks.... Does it have a metal bobbin? A few weeks ago someone had a discussion on bobbins, and somehow, her's had gotten warped and caused all kinds of problems. Hope you can find out the problem without having to take it to the Dr.

hcarpanini

You aren't holding the latch open while pushing it in are you? Just put your fingers around the outside of the case.

AliKat

I have the HQ 16 and have always felt free to call when I have a question. When I got the new rails and trolley I even sent pics via my cell phone and the HQ person explained all I needed to know.

ckcowl

wow! your friend is 20,000 miles away??? is the machine European/Asian???...that's a long way for a machine to travel- maybe something has been knocked loose/out of kilter??? I have an HQ-16 it is about 9 years old now---when I first set up my machine I had some tension issues that caused me much frustration- I called the company in Utah--and found the customer service folks are wonderful! they were so helpful and even though they were in Utah and I am in Michigan they talked me through it all over the phone.. I've called them a few times over the years and have always found the help I needed they are great. you should contact them...start at HandiQuilter.com... there you can find the 800 # for customer service/tech support...they will help you solve your problems. also check locally---up here Bernina dealers are also Handiquilter dealers/ service tech's.

ohstr

HandiQuilter support is wonderful - maybe they can talk you through whatever it is over the phone. They are very helpful!!

ka9sdn

As mentioned earlier do not put it in by holding on the little piece that folds out. Leave it down and insert it with the cut out area up. With old domestic machines you held up that little piece and put the bobbin in, do not do this with the HQ. You should be able to easily push it in until you hear a little snap when it is seated. Their help line is great, they have helped me more than once.