janome 6600 "thread diva" issues!
 

My sister recently purchased the Janome 6600 and was thoroughly frustrated with her attempt to sew with metallic thread. (I have an Elna Q7200, which is basically the same machine) I have read many tips on this problem and have changed the "DON'T EVER TOUCH THIS" bobbin tension. She bought the machine from a retailer who has no experience with this machine (she lives in the middle of no where in BC) so we were desperate. Defying the retailers advice and changing the bobbin tension, my sister once again loves her machine! Query: Janome and Elna are basically the same machine so why does Elna provide instructions on bobbin tension and Janome screams "do not touch!"? I was taught on her machine but purchased the Elna because the Janome wasn't available. I have no issues with thread but hers loves Gutermann thread only. Why is hers so picky about thread?

Thank you for the bobbin tension advice. We're having a ball with metallic thread now! Quilting is, once again, fun and exciting (and less frustrating!).:)

Welcome to the board! Well, the bobbin case did have a screw in it, if the really didn't want you to change it, they would have just soldered the darned thing.
I think the caution is there because it takes such a tiny adjustment to really change the tension it's easy to go way overboard. Most folks don't think to mark the original position of the screw so trying to get it back to where it started is an issue. It's often suggested purchasing a second bobbin case if you are planning on making lots of adjustments, like when you do bobbin work.

that's what I did for my 6600. Actually ... my original bobbin had a slight burr in the ring. When I showed it to my dealer to ask if it was still OK to use, she said sure but bobbin holders are fairly cheap and why not get another and use this one to "play with". It was worth it.

Thankfully, her bobbin settings have clear markings so she can put it back to the original position without "being caught" by the Janome dictators! lol :)

I have a spare bobbin case so I can change the bobbin tension on one and leave the other as pre set.

get the blue bobbin casing for the 6600. Work great I have it for the 7700 and love it

never had a problem with any thread on my 6600. just lucky, I guess.

I could never understand why some are picky with thread all of my brothers and my babylock used whatever brand I threw at them. Sometimes I wonder if its users or the machines, because I would return a machine that was picky about thread especially an expensive one. If I pay that kind of money I should be able to use anything

I don't have any problem using any thread in my Janome 6600 P either.

I even used a 12 weight in my 6600. Mainly you have to match the needle size to the weight of the thread you're using.

I had the 6500 and now have the 7700 -- I used tons of metallic thread but never in the bobbin (I would match the metalic with a non-metalic in the bobbin). The only thread my machines regularly break is the sulky metalic -- don't know why but it may be something about how it is wound on the spool.

Unless doing "Bobbin" work I use an ordinary cotton thread in the bobbin but I always use a Schmetz Metallic thread needle, http://www.schmetzneedles.com/shop/l...php?prod_id=19 someone gave me that tip and I have never had a problem.

I have only just, last week, upgraded my elna 7200, to the elna 720, both excellent machines and in the 7 years I have had the 7200 I have never had to alter the bobbin tension. I have had to do it on some older machines for my pupils and I just mark the original setting before adjusting.

I have a Janome 6600 and have also found it to be picky about thread...and you're right, for a while I thought it only liked Guterman (or poly threads, like Sulky Polylite).

However, I discovered that it's very happy when I use Superior's Bottom Line in the bobbin (sometimes I also use it in the top).

Also, many problems were solved when I had it services (the guy did lots of things I could not due myself). At this point, it's fairly flexible about thread.

My Janome 6600 P likes Gutermann and Essential thread from Connecting Threads. Does not like Coats and Clark at all. I have been lucky enough to not have bobbin tension concerns, but think I may go ahead and get an extra bobbin case "in case".

My Janome 6600 P will use any thread I have tried. I use lots of WalMart Coats & Clark. Just have to use a brush to clean under the plate every time I change the bobbin. If lent builds up on the needle, I clean under the plate. Seems like it needs cleaning more frequently than my old 1967 Fleetwood used to require. It is okay, I love to pet my sweet "Jan".

I haven't had any problems with any thread so far in my 6600. This is not to say it's not there, but I don't remember ever reading anything in my manual that said not to touch the bobbin tension. I agree with Scissor Queen in that you have to change the needle size depending on what thread you're using.

I learned many years ago how to adjust bobbin tension and it has never failed me yet. It's pretty simple, but I would suggest you should only try the following if you're comfortable in what you're doing. I'm no expert or repair person by any means, just had about 45 - 50 years of maintenance experience on my own sewing machines.

Remove the bobbin and shuttle, insert the bobbin into the shuttle. While holding the lose thread end, do a very gentle "up-down" motion. The thread should move slightly through the tension, but not "run away" through the shuttle tension. If it doesn't move at all, it's too tight...loosen the screw a very slight amount and try again until you get that very slight give on the thread with the "up-down" motion. If it moves too much, tighten the screw a very slight amount and try again.