Quiltingboard Forums - Brother Innovis QC1000

I bought this machine at a local shop and it was used as a floor model. Looking back I think it must have been pretty abused. The needle plate it came with has a pretty good notch worn in it where the machine had been run with a bent needle (wow!) and the hand wheel (is that what it's called - on the right hand side) had been broken off. The shop assured me that they have the best service and would not do like most shops and blow off problems with the "well, you must have done something to cause it..."

Long story short, the machine spent its first month after I bought it there getting repairs (it would say to put the needle down to begin when the needle was already down) and a few other things.

Supposedly it is all fixed now. BUT - it is terribly noisy. Like banging noise. The noise seems to be worse with thicker materials or more layers and of course the faster I sew, the louder it is.

Looking at the machine, it appears to my non-professional eyes that the needle is so far back in the plate that it is probably hitting. I can't find a notch on the plate where that would be happening, but I am almost certain that if I had a heavy thread, it would hang up. I have tried different needles, I know that it is not a bent needle issue.

So. Does anyone have a picture that would show me where their needle is in relation to the needle plate? It sure seems it should be centered from front to back. If I have a picture of the same machine showing the needle further forward, maybe they won't send me on my way saying nothing is wrong (or maybe I will realize that my machine is the way it is supposed to be!).

The thread tension seems off to me also - which I would think could be related.

Thanks in advance for any help, advice or pictures you might be able to share!

Augusta