Yes, I checked the type and orientation of the needle. I put in a new needle also. Nothing helped.
BTW, when you pick this machine up, it feels fairly solid/hefty. I find out why when I opened it up - there's a 1 x 2 x 4 inch bar of IRON sitting in the middle of the base. The bar probably weighs as much as the rest of the machine does.
I think I'm done wasting my time on this.
Tate