Janome 6600 owners....I have a couple questions
 

I recently purchased a used 6600 and love it so far. But yesterday I had a problem and didn't know how to fix. I was fmq and the bobbin ran out. I changed the bobbin, started sewing again....horrible mess on the back. Hmmmm.....I rethreaded 5-6 times, changed different bobbins, different fabrics.....same result. I had to walk away I was so frustrated. After calming down and returning to the machine, turning it back on, trying again....it was fine? I don't understand what happened. It was if the tension discs decided not to engage until I turned on/off the machine. What happened? After that, machine was ok until I quit for the night. I am so confused!

I also notice that the bobbin seems to rattle quite a bit while sewing, is that normal? Will it cause problems? Will those bobbin spacer things help with that?

Thanks in advance for all your help, the quilters here always have the answers!

I can't help you with the problem. Although, I have been told to always cut my computerized machines off for 10 to 20 seconds and that will reset them and usually correct any problem..... Please log any other problems/ hints that would be knowledge about this machine, because I am thinking of buying one this month.

I have this machine, it has done that a couple times. I find that if I rethread the top also it quits. Other than that I love the machine.

I haven't had that happen. Though I have had a couple of quirky things, which so far I have chalked up to my newness to the machine. My solution so far has been to take the bobbin out and rethread, and likewise to rethread the top thread.

When I was at my class, they really stressed using quality thread ... Mettler or Aurifil. One of the ladies had problems and switched and has not had any since. I started with those two and decided til I really got to know my machine, I would use them. Later I'll switch back and try some of my other threads and then at least I'll know if it's the machine being picky .... or there's no significant difference (rather than it being operator problems!).

It is very important to use only bobbins meant for Janome. On the 6600, the bobbin must be flat on both sides - no concave whatsoever. My bobbin used to jump around until I changed out to ones meant for Janome. SOnce doing so, I have had no problems. I buy them on E-bay from a gal who sells them by the bag in different quantities. Last time I bought 50 and this next time, I will do the same. I keep at least 5 of the top colors I use filled at all times.
Also, you must hold the bobbin and top threads back and to the right of the needle when you start out stitching otherwise the threads can get all 'nested up' underneath.
When all else fails, rethread everything, clean out your bobbun area, make sure the needle screw and the foot screw are tight. Good luck!

Also remember that the Janome 6600 uses Class 15 bobbins.

Class L bobbins will do "ok" during the mundane straight stitching while piecing but the Class 15 plastic bobbins are the all around wiser purchase.

I too was going to ask if you had used a different bobbin when switching it out. I have this machine and my bobbin has never rattled. I don't do much FMQ with it though.

Just thought about this ... there's a special bobbin case for the Janome and FMQ with the accufeed. Some have said that the extra cost is well worth the $$ and that FMQing is much easier and better with it.

I was also told that one needed the different bobbin case for FMQ. Has something to do with tension settings.
Haven't tried it yet so don't know if that would solve your problem.

there is a great group for Janome 6600 owners with over 5000 members and there is a lot of great information on there. One of the answers on the bobbin rattling was to make sure the wick is oiled. There are many posts on that board that tell you how to do that. I joined two months ago and have learned so much about my machine. Here is the link http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Janome6500/

I just got the 6600. I did purchase the extra bobbin case and I really like it for fmq. I never have to adjust anything when I use it. I was never able to fmq before and it works great for me.

I always use a bobbin spacer. It cuts down on the chatter you hear from the bobbin case. I also have the other bobbin case, not sure if it makes a difference or not.

The special bobbin case seems to work really well for me. I just don't have problems (eye-lashes) when i use it. I believe one could tweak the tension for me the expense of having a separate bobbin case was worth it.

I have the 6600 and this happened to me as well. I joined the yahoo Janome group and was told to oil the wick. I did this and it took care of this problem.

I have the 6600 and love it. My thread comes out of the tension gage every once in a while and I shut the machine off and on, re-thread the top and reset the bobbin. I would take it back to the dealer and have them check the bobbin case. You don't want to have issues later and you no longer are under warrenty.

There is a common quirk in this wonderful machine. The thread will sometimes come out of the take up lever. This makes a noise and a mess on the back. Join that wonderful yahoo group and you will learn LOTS.

So what is the solution that has been figured out?

The biggest problem I had when I bought my Janome 6600 three years ago was the bobbin. Never could get good tension. Trips back to the dealer didn't help as they couldn't find any problem. It turned out that I was not always inserting the bobbin in counter-clockwise. Also it seems important to use Janome bobbins since they are slightly different. As wvdek said they are not concave like other bobbins. Plus one dealer told me that the Janome does not like to sew when the bobbin thread gets low. I've become a believer on that tip, too. If you get a bouncing sound when sewing, stop because there is something wrong. I always rethread and check the bobbin when there are problems and agree that turning the machine off and on is good to do. Just like any computer, they reset themselves.

I was fmq yesterday w/ my Janome 6600 and had that problem a time or two. I found that it resolved when I kept firm tension on the top and bottom threads as I was starting out (making anchoring stitches). I have not had a problem since. Also, I use my old metal Babylock in my Janome and have not had a problem in the 2 years I've had her. Make sure you insert the bobbin with the thread coming off the left side, looking like a "p".

As Feffertim pointed out, there is an oil wick hole under the bobbin case which dries out on
some machines causing the bobbin case to growl, rattle and literally jump out of place. No
where in the manual does it tell you to oil it there but I learned about it on the Janome
6500/6600 forum. My bobbin case rattled so badly that it would jump out of place and make
huge thread nests. My Janome dealer was no help and kept telling me it was operator error.
Not all machines seem to need this spot oiled regularly but mine certainly does.