DH is TRYING to fix my machine!
 

Right in the middle of sewing a purse for my sister for Xmas, my bobbin jammed and tried to eat my fabric! Got it free, and now, can't get the thing to bring up the bobbin thread. Found a repairman right in my town, but Mr "why pay someone to do it when I can do it myself" started looking at it, took every screw out to get inside, found a broken needle and a glass head pin down below the bobbin case ( haven't broken a needle in several weeks) but they don't seem to be in the way, though he can't get them out, but is making me REALLY nervous!! It is a Brother PC420 Project Runway, and only 2 1/2 years old, and this is the first time I have had an trouble. I am really good about cleaning it regularly (the bobbin case) since I use it so much. Now, I am worried he might make it worse and cost me more money when he gives up and I DO finally have to take it in to be repaired! Please send good "fix it" thoughts his way!!! I don't have a back-up to finish this present, plus, I have a couple custom orders I have to get out!

Have you removed the fabric. I got caught in one of my machines and ended up cutting away. If you have to do this remove needle and foot and ease fabric up. I the used very shar embroidery needles to slowly snip at the jumble of threads. After a long time fabric free and no hole. If the needle stuck in down position I had to go to repair person although I might nowadays break the needle and remove with pliers first., and see what happens.
Otherwise no idea other than good clean with pie cleaner.

If he can't fix it, then run to Walmart and buy a inexpensive portable machine to finish your projects. You'll have a back up for any other future machine emergency.

A jam like that can throw the timing off. Although it's possible to fix timing on some machines at home, it's a pretty touchy thing. Most people would have a technician do it. Timing has to do with how the needle interacts with the bobbin. Once that is thrown off, the needle won't bring the bobbin thread up.

Oh, you poor thing!
I'm going to print this off and everytime someone wants to know why I have several machines, I'm gonna show them this!
You need to look for a good, inexpensive backup at a garage sale, CL etc!

It'll be alright. I took mine apart last week to get out a broken needle. Then I thought what the heck lets just take it all apart and clean it and look around. Its a Brother 450Q. The only advice I would give is to make sure his tools are not magnatic, thats if you have a digital display. If its not you should be fine. Might wanna check the hook to make sure you didn't scratch it with the jam. I've had to sand mine down before because it wouldn't bring up the bobbin thread with the burr or scratch on it. Sending my handyman good wishes your way!

Yay yay yay!!! He got it back together (still couldn't get pin or broken needle out, though), and I just tried it and seems to be working fine! He did have to re-adjust the thread guide for winding the bobbin, but after a couple tries, its now winding straight. Thanks for all your suggestions and good thoughts! BellaBoo, I think I will take your suggestion and get an inexpensive machine for a back up!! DottyMo, it was the thread in the bobbin case under the fabric that got jammed, a birds next of thread! I had to get under the fabric with the seam ripper and carefully cut each of those threads, trying not to damage the fabric. Once I did, and cleaned out the casing again, it seemed fine-until I tried to bring up the bobbin thread! Turns out, there was a metal bar that was reaching across the shuttle, and I didn't know where it came from or where it needed to go back to. DH managed to figure it out, and put it all back together, and NO SCREWS LEFT OVER!! Lovin that man of mine!!! Prism99, I read him your post about the timing, so will keep a watch for that. Thanks again, everyone!! Breathing a cautious sigh of relief!

I also have a brother pc 420. Although I would never let my hubby take any machine of mine apart, I am often brave enough to do it myself!

Last time that I had a major thread jam and then couldn't get it to run after I cleared the fabric out.... the problem turned out to be a small 1 inch hunk of thread that was caught in the hook mechanism of the thread cutter. The hook is off to the left of the bobbin shuttle, and reaches across to grab the threads when you use the automatic thread cutter. That little piece of thread kept the hook thingy from retracting fully and I guess it effected the way the bobbin shuttle is supposed to operate. Perhaps this is the metal bar that you encountered.

DH says that is exactly what it was! But I think I dislodged it or something when clearing it, as there was no threads left after ai cleaned it. meh managed to get it back in place, though! Phew!

Glad he got it fixed so you can finish your projects.

A vintage featherweight can make a great backup machine and is lightweight to take to classes.

Happy DH and you got it fixed. Merry Christmas

I was going to tell you the same thing...the timing is off.

The repairman I use has a policy that if the machine has been taken apart by the husband...he charges by every piece he has to reassemble. One older man brought his wife's old Singer in for repair in a shopping bag...lots of loose parts. It took the repair man hours to reassemble the machine.

Hope that your husband was able to fix it himself....

I'm so happy for you to get your machine fixed without having a big repair bill! That's a great Christmas present! Recently, I broke the screw off that you tighten to put in a new needle! The screw broke half in two. It only cost me $132.00 to get repaired and I was thankful about that because they said if he couldn't get the broken screw out, he would have to replace the whole arm-y thing the the needle holder is attached to and it would cost $400-500 dollars. So I think I was really blessed that it only cost $132. :)))))
Merry Christmas!!

Yeah!!! He did it!! You better tell Santa what a good fixer he is. :) Hugs

Glad you got your machine fixed in time. I agree with all the posts that mention getting a back up machine in case of problems. It's one of those "if you have it, you'll never need it" things.:)

Scary! You made me remember why I gave my sister my newer machine and stick to vintage! I'm glad you have such a clever hubby!

My husband & I have an agreement. I don't try to fix his computer, he don't touch any of my machines.

I'm glad he got it fixed and you didn't need a trip to the repairman. I have an inexpensive Brother, can't remember the model, but I got it free at the town incinerator where people brought things too good to throw out. A man was carrying it up the stairs, I asked if it worked, he said yes but my wife doesn't sew any more, so I took that gift home and she comes in very handy when my Janome acts up,or worse yet, has to go in for a tune-up. I've found that the Brother actually does a better satin stitch. I intended to give it to my daughter, but I don't think she's going to get it any time soon. LOL

It sounds like it may have jumped time. If He don't know how to time it He can't fix it. I was sewing on one of my machines, I think it was the ESE2 and hit a hoop, well it knocked it out of time and had to take it in and have it times and relined. Works great now for sewing and emroidering. Good luck

I dont know how your repair guy is.......but ours is very good to not charge you an arm and leg if it is a easy fix.
but ........someone "trying" to fix it......might make it worse.... Good Luck.

i have had issues with my Pfaff 4 and the thread cutting mechanism. Apparently, there is also a little hook on the right hand side of the mechanism that interacts with the bobbin case. if the left hand hook isn't completely retracted to the left and the right hand side in it's correct position, it catches and makes it so the thread gets caught or the needle breaks. Once i saw that, it was easy enough to clean out the bobbin area. make sure cutter was all the way to left and then re-assemble bobbin area and sew away. Until then i spend one evening being so frustrated that the thread kept breaking or the needle kept hanging up.

I was having some challenges with my sewing..discovered a small piece of thread stuck under the thread tension on the bobbin.. I used a piece of card stock to slip under the tension bar on the bobbin case and there was a tiny piece of thread..now it works great again..tiny, tiny pieces of lint or thread in hard to see places can cause machines to sew uneven, skip stitches etc.. So wonderful when machines work great!!! so frustrating when they don't!! Happy Sewing everyone!!

I had a machine given to me and general opinion is the timing is off. What is considered a reasonable amount to fix it. Right now I cannot afford it but could save for it.
Seems to be in good shape otherwise.

He sounds like a keeper! My DH is too impatient to do anything like that. He always tells me to take it to the shop if it's something I can't do!

No screws left over! That is a miracle. I find leftover screws all over the house from my Mr. Fixit. He just shrugs and says, "They were extras."

Like the old featherweight - that's the advantage to vertical bobbins. You can take the bobbin out of the machine and cut the threads to get the fabric off. Once the bobbin's out, tip the machine sideways and you can see what you are doing.

If the fabric isn't down the needle hole, one of those serger scythe type seam rippers works well. Just lift up the fabric enough and you can cut threads with one swipe instead of trying to get scissors in there.

I am so sorry to hear of your dilema right at Christmas! I used to live in Ramona...if I still did, I would bring you one of my machines to use. I learned long ago that having a back up machine is a good idea...Walmart has them for less than $100. right now...they might not be the best but they might get you over a tight spot. This time of year, they should be on sale, also. Best of luck to you and let us know how this turns out! I loved Ramona, miss it still. I lived out at the Country Estates but nearly allt he homes around us burned in the Cedar fire and so we decided it was time to move...we moved to Texas and I have regretted that ever since!

My Son asked me whether I wanted a new computerized machine, said NOPE, my 1960"s models Universal and Singer are just fine. Easy to repair and use. Have put miles and miles on these machines have a 1943 model singer for backup. Would love a FW though. Blessings to you all, Merry Christmas.

Did he try a really strong magnet to pull up metal that can't be reached? I don't like air pressure because it blows the object into the machine sometimes. I am not familiar with a Brother but my machine has a bottom plate that unscrews. After that is undone --most scrap and fuzz can be shaken out the bottom. Don't be afraid of your machine. My Futura has a plastic bobbin case. Everytime it piles up the needle damages the plastic case making a rough spot on the outside. This will catch the thread and won't sew smoothly or in my case it was not at all. I have to sand the edge smooth or buy another bobbin case. They are $16 but I would pay a good price for a metal one.

I think in order to be a good sewer or artist you must also be a mechanic too. When it comes to handing out money to clean up my machine, I always say "I could have done it myself and been more satisfied. If I need info , I google the internet and usually a techie will have had the same problem. I'm always amazed at the tutorials on You Tube.
I just learned how to install a clutch cable. Yes, I'm taking it out to be repaired. (it's too cold to be under the car this time of year.) BUt I know what he is going to do and there will be no surprises when the bill comes.

I live in Country Estates! Small world! We love it here. Moved here about 3 years ago, bought a house with our 2 sons, and we all live together when DH and I aren't overseas. We just hope there isn't another devastating fire! Back on topic, I just bought another Brother, an XL26001 for $72.49, free shipping! Since I already have a Brother PC420, I figure my extension table and attachments will fit. Price was right and I'll have it next week, so I can take my machine in for a tune up.

I agree with prism99 this happened with my singer along time ago my timing was knocked out needle bent and the teck said my main shaft was bent (that does not normaly happen) so he fixed everything except the shaft for 69.00 (that was a special singer was having anything for $69. so it worked alright. Then a few years later Singer was running another special for $69.00 i took it in for service and the teck went all the way through the machine and rebuilt it and replaced the bent shaft. Hope your hubby can fix it for you

I do agree if you can afford one you should go to walmart if you have one and get a little machine for back up.

happy hollidays yippie

Thanks for all your suggestions! After finishing my purse, then making another jeans bag, I found there were a couple of not-quite-right problems. A couple times the thread cutter didnt cut properly, and it sounds just a bit off, but not enough to prevent me from using it. So, I just ordered from Amazon a Brother XL26001 basic machine for $72.49 with free shipping as a spare. It has 25 stitches and needle threader, free arm, and a few other essentials. It was sure the right price! Once it comes, I will take in my Brother PC420 for servicing. This hopefully this new one will work with my extension table and allow me to sew through thick seams when making purses. The thought of NOT sewing for even a few days doesn't appeal to me!! At least DH got me up and running so I could finish those bags for Xmas!

I had that problem one time; its was bad; but I discoverd I had some how turned the upper stitch length from its proper place; putting it back ; corrected the problem.