HELP!!! Breaking needles; new machine
 

I have a new-to-me Juki TL 98-E. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I keep breaking needles. I have re-threaded the machine several times, and followed the manual to a T. The needle is in correctly. The quilting foot is on tight. The bobbin is on correctly. It doesn't seem to be hitting the plate. The tension seems to be good.
I had this problem with my other machine (that I got rid of because of this same problem). I guess it has to be something I'm doing (or not doing).
I'm near tears because I don't know what else to do! This is all new to me and very discouraging. Please help!

So sorry you're having trouble with your 'new' machine. If you did everything that you said you did, the only thing that comes to mind is either the wrong size needle (certain machines take certain needles) or the timing is off and the needle is hitting something on the way down past the plate near the bobbin.

Question though...what are you trying to sew...simple 2 layers of cotton? or something thicker?

I have been using the needles that came with the machine. I've tried different sizes, just in case.

I have a new quilt frame that I was trying. I need to learn how to quilt on this thing, and when I try, this happens. However, I didn't put any batting in and am just sewing 1/4 of an old sheet (probably not 100% cotton) to another 1/4 of the same sheet. Not anything thick.

Is it possible that you are pulling on the fabric as you guide it? I broke several needles when I started to practice free-motion quilting and I was pulling the quilt around a corner.

I hope you can find the problem.

K

You're moving the machine fast enough the needle is being flexed instead of going up and down. Slow down, a lot!

No, not this time! I've got it on a mid-arm frame, I guess is what you'd call it. I'm moving the machine around, not the fabric. But I'm doing it really really really slow and I don't think that is what is causing it. I thought that's what I was doing wrong before. So I bought a mid arm and frame and sold my domestic that I was learning to FMQ on. I'd rather be breaking needles on my $50 machine than my $400 one :(

No, honestly, I'm going really slow. I'm not even trying to "quilt" I'm just trying to isolate the problem.

You said you're using sheets which I believe a lot of quilters won't use because it's difficult to quilt with them. Their weave is different from quilting cotton. Maybe it's this.

If not, sorry don't have a clue. I'll watch for the right answer/solution.

Not sure which frame you're using - is it possible that there is too much play between the fabric and the needle plate? I have to be sure to adjust the height of my take-up roller so there's just a finger-width between the fabric and the bed of the machine. Have to move my roller up as I get more of the quilt on the take-up roller.

With too much space between the fabric and machine bed, depending on the speed you're going, you may be bending the needle just enough to break it.

And then, there's the story of my first machine on the frame - a Pfaff GrandQuilter - the plate covering the feed dogs was misaligned just enough to catch the edge of the needle each stitch. Ended up breaking a dozen needles before I saw the mangled feed dog cover ...

Did you Buy the machine locally? Can you take it to where you bought it and let them see the problem? I have recently discovered that my Janome eats Schmetz needle but sews like a charm with Dritz. But you said these were the needles that come with the machine, so it might really be worth a trip to the dealer. This happened to me a while ago with my Necchi and it was all about the "timing" Good Luck!!

Good dealer support is what is needed in these situations and it sounds like yours needs a trip to the dealers.

Is the machine only breaking needles when you FMQ or is it also breaking them when you sew standard seams? That would be worth a test to see if maybe the fabric is being pulled too fast.

Yup, you've had lots of good advice, I'd make a trip back to where I bought it !

You've changed needles, are you sure it is up all the way and that the flat side is in the right place?

You are moving to fast is probably more likely the culprit and why you had trouble with your other machine, slow down, do you have a dealer who can show you what you are doing wrong. I had this problem when I moved to fast.

Also - look for some utube videos of demonstrations showing FMQ. I watched a ton when I was starting out.
Along with what everyone else told you, check to make sure you have your machine threaded correctly and the bobbin is going in the correct direction. I have been quilting on mine for 4 years and never had a problem until I put on a new spool of thread (good quality). I couldn't keep the thread from breaking and needles breaking right and left.
I finally put back on the previous thread and no problems. I emailed the mfg and they replaced the thread for me.

When I'm moving the needle up and down without fabric, it seems to be ok. It's very possible that there's too much play between the fabric and needle plate! When the needle goes into the fabric, there's an unusual "pop" like it's really breaking into the material. I'm not sure how to cure this. It's pretty close to the needle plate, and if I lower the rollers anymore, the roller will be laying on the machine. But the fabric is not laying on it, it's hovering 1/4 of an inch (or less) above it. And of course, the quilting foot doesn't hold it down so I think this might be contributing to the problem, but I don't know how to fix it.

I bought it used from an individual. I have been using Schmetz needles so I'll stop using them. There were some Organ needles in the box too, so I'll give them a whirl. The shop charges $100 just to look at them, so I'm trying to avoid that. On the other hand, it seems like a class is in order for me. I just don't know what in the world I'm doing. :( I do plan on taking her off the frame and trying some simple sewing until I get used to her.

I'm sure the nice widower that I bought it from would be willing to email lots of advice, but since we live an hour away from each other, that might make things difficult :) But seriously, he's out of town, but I'll email him next week and ask if his wife had a problem with breaking needles. Hopefully, I'll have it figured out before then.

When I bought my embroidery machine, I went to the Sew n Vac and one of the gentlemen there was really nice and showed me how it worked (I didn't even know how to make it go without a presser foot!!) and was really helpful. But my husband took my old Elna in there and "the other guy", who happens to be the owner, is a whole 'nother character!! I won't say anymore than that, because you just never know who's on the forum... but if it wasn't for that first guy, I'd never step foot in there again, and I sure won't do it when the 2nd guy is there.

TBH, I haven't even tried to make seams with it! I'm going to try that this weekend, and see how she sews. I do have some sewing projects that might be more fun on her than my cheapie Singer Simple anyway. At the risk of sounding really whiny, I paid a LOT of money for her and the ONLY thing I ask of her is to quilt! I had a good sewing machine and I wanted a good quilting machine.
But I can't tell what I'm doing with that frame in the way, so I'm taking her off the frame and putting her on the cabinet and having a good, long talk with her. And I'm going to watch every video on the internet that I can find for machine quilting (FMQ is when you're moving the quilt, right? I'm finding lots about that, but not a "long arm" frame situation like I have.). Anyway, I have her set on slow and I'm barely moving the fabric. I'm not even trying to quilt at this point, just letting it run and seeing when the needle breaks.. see if I can find a pattern, so I don't think it's caused by going too fast. I think that's what was causing it on my other machine, so I'm trying to avoid that.

I had a hard time getting the needle in because I couldn't tell that the flat doesn't go to the back like every other machine I've used. It is 90degrees and thats the only way the needle will go. It will not go in the hole except the right way. It could be not all the way, but I have pushed it up in there good. I don't know if there's a way to tell. On the next to the last one that I broke last night, my husband had to pull it out with a rubber glove on. He was just about to go get the pliers and it came out. So I think it's safe to say it's in all the way!

I think I just wasn't meant to machine quilt.

I am using cheap thread. I didn't mess with the bobbin. I'll double check it before I use it again and I'll change thread. If it's the thread, I might be in trouble, because I'll order it online because I will NOT be stepping foot into a store until after Christmas!! I don't think I have any "good" machine thread, just hand-quilting thread and cheap sewing thread!!

How does thread mess with the needle that much? I understand if it breaks the thread, but if the tension is good, how can thread cause such a problem?

Take the machine off the frame and try to FM, If it works ok go to the Handiquilter Handiquiter group on Yahoo and read reasons the thread and needles break. Hope you find some help
Mary in TX

You are either moving the machine on the frame too fast for the speed of the machine or the opposite, you have the machine speed too high and are moving the machine too slowly. Also - you are trying to 'Quilt', use the machine and frame the way it was intended to be used. Until you are more experienced use the things the set up was designed for - get some decent batting, either cotton or poly cotton, then get some inexpensive muslin. Go to Joanne's. They keep the muslin on the wall on the right as you go in the store there in Knoxville. The batting is more toward the back of the store. Just ask. You should be able to get out of there for less than 20.00. Load the frame correctly with 3 layers backing, batting, top and try it again. I bet you'll have a much better result.

Don't make it harder on yourself than it has to be and don't try to re-invent the wheel by trying to get the machine to do something on a frame it was not designed to do, which is sewing 2 pieces of a sheet together. Take it off the frame, get 2 pieces of quilting cotton - not old sheet - and try to sew them together. Don't pull the fabric, guide it, sew steady and slow and I bet the machine works perfectly.
You got an excellent deal on your set up. I had seen the ad on CL. It is like new and I'm sure this is a case of operator inexperience more than a problem with the machine. Let us know how it goes.

Check that you are pushing the needle up as high as it will go. If the needle is too low it will break.

Breaking needles
 

Ashley, Try putting your thread on a cone thread holder and see if it helps. There is much less tension on your thread. It's worth a try.

Thanks. I requested membership. I didn't mention that I have a Grace frame ;)

I don't have the speed very high, but I am moving the machine slowly.
I will take the machine off this weekend and sew with it and get used to her. Then I'll try a little FMQ if we start to get along. If that goes well, I'll do exactly what you suggest. I do have lots of cotton that I bought for backing that I can use, I just didn't want to waste the batting!
Yeah, I don't think there is anything wrong with the machine. It and the frame are like-new. It's me. And because I'm such a newbie, I don't know where to start fixing the problem.
Are you close to me? If so, would you be willing to give me a quick lesson? I don't even think I'm putting it on the frame correctly (which is why I decided to skip the batting too)

The cone holder is unavailable while it's on the carriage. There's not enough room for it to unfold. :(

You might be outrunning the machine. Try to slow down. If you go faster than the machine, the needle bends before it catches up. I had this problem at the beginning and was advised to use a size 16 needle which is stronger until I got my rhythm. Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I really do appreciate all the advice. I just wish there was a way you could try it out and see if you can fix it! I am going to take her down and use her for sewing and make sure she's stitching. Then I'll try some FMQ off the frame. If she works, then I'll put her back and make a small quilt. If we still aren't getting along, then I'll find someone to teach me how to use it or sell it and give up on machine quilting altogether. I'm not enjoying it at all like I do hand-quilting and it's WAY too expensive! Hand-quilting is a bargain compared to machine quilting!

Your problem mirrors mine when I started with my Brother 1500s, on a Gracie II frame. I talked to the dealer and was advised to lower the fabric to lay on the machine. You mentioned the popping sound. I had that too. When I lowered the fabric to lay directly on the machine, it stopped, and the needles stopped breaking. Your roll up rod setting in the throat of the machine should roll so the fabric is clockwise looking to the left. Verify that you are inserting the needle properly. --- Just posted and saw your latest post -- Before you take it off the frame try the above and also be sure the tention is adjusted. I also took mine off the frame and it worked wonderful. You will find it seems to be a different machine on the frame. I know I have a different machine, but they are so similar.

Hmmmm.. so the rod is supposed to be on the machine, then? It doesn't hinder the machine moving?

I want to leave work RIGHT NOW and try this!!!

your talking about a poping noise that may be the fabric your using or the needle may be the wronge size or not sharp.

I use sheets all the time and haven't had any problems with the sheets. I just use a thinner needle for sewing the sheets. The only time I have had problems is when I didn't install my needle in right and it was slightly turned.

Is this happening when you are free motion quilting, per chance? Since it has happened on two different machines, it sounds like it might be something you are doing. FM quilting makes us pull and push on the quilt sandwich and often we push or pull to hard or fast and the needle deflects, comes down, misses the hole and "snap"! Could that be the problem? You might want to use a stronger needle, like the titanium kind also.
Michelle

Ahhh, before I wrote my previous post, I did not realize you had it on a frame! Okay....yes, you probably have it rolled too tightly and sheets are a little hard on needles as they are so closely woven, that is where the popping noise may be coming from that and too tight a wind. This is a common mistake among new frame quilters. I was told, and it is true, that when you have your quilt rolled, you should be able to poke your finger from beneath the quilt and grab it from above....now that is loose, and I will admit, I have mine a little tighter than that, but there has to be some flop in the quilt sandwich, it cannot me like a military man's bed, where a dime bounces off of it. Good luck, hope you are get this working for you, I know how frustrating it can be.
Michelle

[QUOTE=AshleyR;4708954]Hmmmm.. so the rod is supposed to be on the machine, then? It doesn't hinder the machine moving?

I want to leave work RIGHT NOW and try this!!![/QUOTE

I find that I need raise the pole often as it will get too tight against the machine and will cause some resistance when moving the machine. ---- Sooo don't forget to raise the rod just a bit, about every 2-3 rows. --- And don't be in too much of a rush. There is so much to learn and I made a lot of mistakes and am still learning. Our friends here on the Board have offered a lot of suggestions that all are valuable, and need to be concidered as well. My thread was breaking more often than the needle. It took about 3 days to get it close to right and actually get a complete row done without breaking the thread or a needle. I have actually completed a quilt without breaking a needle, but it took a lot of learning and it was a smaller quilt. Good luck.

I said 'clockwise to the left'. - Let me correct. - The fabric should roll under the rod. The rod is rolled 'Counter Clockwise' looking to the left.

Thanks for all your help. However, I've decided to sell the frame because it hates me and I hate it! I have no troubles with the machine by itself and it's so nice to sew on!!