Your basic machine is a TL18LS...Pfaff buys the basic models from TL company & retrofits some items, mostly cosmetic in nature).
Breaking thread...check the bobbin tension...Yes, you can change the bobbin tension.
You want to be able to lay the bobbin case, face up in the palm of one hand, and pull the thread coming off the bobbin case (don't put through the pigtail) and have the case just start to lift off your hand, then stop and the thread come out straight and with just a hint of tension. This is your starting bobbin tension (mine stays that way).
Test the stitch...you may see pokies or loops on top...loosen the upper tension a full turn (lefty loosey)...and retest. I run my upper and lower tensions fairly loose...this lets me use any thread out there....metroemb.com and threadart.com are my favorite for poly threads. Threadart has nice quilting cottons also, and metro has a newer line called Sigma, a bit stronger poly than the Metro embroidery/quiliting threads....oh, and threadart now has bobbin thread in colors...60 wt. Nice both on top and in the bobbin when doing close stipples.
Remember that the tension assembly for the upper thread does not have settings. The numbers on the dial are for referrence only. If you start with a 2 on the top, a full turn puts a 2 on the top again. Turning the dial less than a
half to full turn will not make a noticable difference in tension.
You should be able to run any thread, even serger (I use this for bobbin thread) and regular 50 wt cotton/poly or blends. Rayon is not recommended, it's pretty weak and the colors can run when the quilt it washed. They fade also.
If you continue to have issues, and your dealer can't help...have them contact the TL company & set up a conference call, to work out any issues.
Originally Posted by
moonwork42029
My most wonderful darling husband decided I (meaning he wanted to play on one) a long arm. About a year ago he saw one when we got the embroidery machine and has been itching to get one ever since. Well a few weeks ago, they were on sale (Pfaff Grand Quilter 18.8 with Inspira? frame) so he said to "write it up".
We were told we could use thread we had on hand (wrong) and that it was easier to learn free hand than to follow a pattern with the laser. (not for the uncreative minded)
We've now bought several big spools of quilting thread and have been trying the laser out and doing somewhat better than free hand on some practice fabric layered with flannel.
OMG...it's awful looking! We can't follow a straight line to save our rearends...and the curves....oh the curves look more like rounded off squares a lot of the times.
It has the auto stitch so it only sews when we move the machine so it's not that problem.
Maybe in 6 months we can load a "real" top on it but until then, it's just practice.
Grrrr and we can't seem to keep the thread from breaking so we're biting our nails.
This too shall pass and we'll laugh at how awful it was...someday.
Okay, I'll take a big breath and go back in the other room now....Pfaff - look out ...I'm coming back.