Help, my machine is sick!
 

Hi. I have a brother cs6000i and lately (about a month) it has not been grabbing the fabric when I first put it in and then if I start in the middle it will start and kind of get 'stuck' leaving a clump of thread underneath then it will move along as long as I pull the piece along a little bit, but still occasionally getting 'stuck' and I have to pull the piece along to get it moving again. I have cleaned the lint (you should have seen the stuff that was piled up in there), replaced the bobbin and upper thread, tried a different presser foot, and raised and lowered the feed dogs several times to make sure that was working. I don't want to have to take it to the doctor because the nearest place is 40 miles away and I only paid $140 for the machine 5 years ago through Amazon. What else can I do?

I know you said you cleaned out the lint BUT make sure you take a little brush and clean every little crevice you can find. Brush gently, being very careful not to push any lint farther into the area. Even the tiniest piece of thread, can cause a machine to be sluggish.

is it possible that there is a piece of thread stuck in the bobbin tension spring?

I know you said you cleaned it, but just double check that you have cleaned around the feed dogs really well. Usually, there's a plate you can unscrew and access all around the feed dogs. I would make sure that you have cleaned their 'teeth', on each side and if you can, underneath them. Good luck!

I am not familiar with your machine, but most DSM need to go in for a yearly maintenance just like a car. I would check around for references from friends because there can be a difference in the price you pay.

Why are we more willing to spend maintenance money on a machine that we spent a lot on and so reluctant to do so for a machine that we did not pay much for?

Maybe because, after 2 maintenance visits, you could buy a NEW cheap machine!

I have the same machine as you and was having the same issue. I cleaned everything several times and it still ate the fabric like it was starving. I had called to see what the cost would be on taking it in for maintenance and they wanted $90.00 for a $140 machine.

I realized I had been using alot of starch in the project I had been working on and wondered if it had built up on the feed dogs. I cleaned them with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol and that took care of the problem for me.

Ok.....I took everything apart last night. Saw a video on You Tube. Bobbin cover off, large plastic piece slid off, bobbin holder popped right out, took coins to unscrew the two screws holding the metal plate. Took off needle, took off presser foot holder. Totally open. Took brush to inside and scooped out even more lint (between the two cleanings I think there was enough lint to stuff a small toy) took alcohol on q-tip to feed dogs and wiped them down. Put everything back on, even a new needle, a different bobbin of thread, and a different spool of thread. Now it feels tight when I manually move the needle, like it doesn't want to go. I haven't tried sewing yet because it is so tight feeling. Very frustrating!

You still have to maintain the NEW cheap machine. I didn't feel like sewing the other day but wanted to clean to minimalize so I cleaned my machines. One of the tools I always have on hand is a small round mirror with a telescopic handle and on the other end is a magnet. This helps find stray lint. If I can't reach it with a sewing machine brush, I use a pipe cleaner a.k.a. chenille wire. One thing I love about my 401 in the desk cabinet is I can put it away into the cabinet and set my other machine on top and use it for piecing. Just takes couple minutes to change.

Maybe it isn't supposed to be moved manually. Some consider it forceful moving. My needle won't move easily unless the machine is on. Everything has to be engaged.

I have a brother and every once in a while I have to oil it around the bobbin area. Check and see if there is any place you can put a drop or two of oil around the motor area. I know most manuals say no need to oil, but I have always oiled my machines and they seem to sew forever. I didn't pay all that much for my machine either but I keep it in good shape anyway and have never had a problem when I oil it. Just make sure you sew a piece of scrap fabric so any extra oil comes off on the scrap and not the nice fabric you are using for a project.

Have a go with electric on. If you are worried about oiling try sewers aid instead which lasts ages only a pin head drop or less .
i have a similar problem to the stiff needle when using invisible thread. What happens is the thread wraps too tightly around the spool and doesn't flow freely. I have too stop and release check there is no tightness there.

Have you piled the machine? I don't just put oil in the ports, I oil everything that moves while the machine is apart - except the parts that need grease on the vintage machines, of course.

If you took the bobbin case out, not the bobbin, but what it sits in, maybe you didnt put it back in "just right".... I did that once....

Lesson learned ( hopefully)........clean the lint out more than once every six months!

Geri B - you win! I was away for the weekend which was good as it recharged my mind! I came back and looked it over and sure enough I gad inserted the bobbin case just a bit off and screwed down the plate so it wouldn't move. I fixed it and also figured that I need to hold the threads when I first start as that has been a clumping problem too...that made a difference. Thanks for all the advice. I am so glad I joined this board. Helpful people that are non-judgmental.