Janome mc6600
 

Has anyone ever had trouble with this machine? I bought my wife this machine for Christmas and were have trouble with it already, it jams up and leaves a rats nest on the bottom side like the bobbin isn't quite right and we rethread everything and sews good for a while then messes up again. And I can't get it to sew for me to save my life. I've come to the conclusion that it don't like me a bit! Any info would be great. Thanks in advance!

I have the Janome 6600p I think it is the same machine. I bought it about 1 1/2 years ago and have a lot of trouble with mine. Try using really good thread. I know it sounds silly, but mine will not sew unless I use good thread. I had to have a new motherboard put in 2 months after I got it. It works fine now. Take it back to the dealer and have them look at it. I hope you have a good service person in your area. I had a hard time finding one in mine. When they are working they are a great machine. I know you will get lot's of people on here that love the machines, but like anything there are lemons out there. I even called Janome directly and they were not interested in any problems I had.

Good Luck.

If you purchased it from a dealer - I would give them a call to schedule an appointment for them to take a look at the machine. If you purchased it from an individual - you still need to contact a repair type person - sometimes it takes a repair man to find what is causing the problem. I have this same machine and it is a wonderful machine - I hope you can resolve this issue and she will be able to enjoy this machine.... Good Luck -

Were going to take it back to where we bought it I believe she uses coats and Clark thread. Is that a good thread?

Mine will not work with Coats & Clark. It likes Aurifil you have to buy online. Gutterman you can get at Joann's it works pretty good with that.

I do know she uses the gutterman also but will have to see what she is using currently.

Not to be insulting, but are you sure it's threaded correctly? Several times I thought I had mine done right, but when I looked, the thread had slipped off the upper thread tension control. Also, like others have said, my 6600 is VERY picky about thread. I generally use Aurifil in it. Hope you're able to figure out the problem, it is a great machine when operating smoothly.

I had one and never had a problem with it. Used any thread.

Coats and clark thread is kind of linty. If it is still under warranty, i would call or take it back and have them look at it.

No insulate taken but she's had problems off and on from the start. I just talked with her and she's using gutterman thread currently.

As Raggiemom said check the rethreading especially if you use cheaper thread. It comes unthreaded real easy. That might be why it works for awhile and then you have problems.

I would take it back to the dealer, but get Aurifil thread. I am sure she will be happy with that.

Gutterman seems to work better than Coats and Clark, but not as well as Aurifil.

I know how mad you get when it doesn't work. My service person has one and can use any kind of thread in hers. I just wish Janome would stand behind their product when there is a problem.

It makes me mad I spent good money on this machine and its not working right were taking it to the shop the 16th of feb well see how that goes ill have her get some of that other thread and see how it works.

I have not had a problem with mine either - and as already stated, Aurifil is a much superior thread. It is a wonderful machine - a real workhorse!

It's a great machine and I've sewn many miles with mine since purchasing almost a 1-1/2 yrs ago.

Glad tha tyou have an appointment for it. As mentioned, if you purchased it from the dealer, taking it back, will let them check it out that all is OK. Also, be SURE to take the free lessons. Even if one or both of you have sewn for years, there are little things you can pick up via the lessons.

Thread ... when I was taking my lessons, one of the gals had problems and was told to use Aurifil thread. I was scared ... so just started using Aurifil to ensure my machine was cared for and loved and to hopefully avoid any problems.

Til then I always thought thread was thread, and what difference could there be? Truth be told, , now I absolutely hate and detest using the other threads and Aurifil gives me such a good stitch. Now that I know the machine well, I do sneak back to using other threads only because I want to use it up, but only on not-so-special projects. There's been no problems and it stitches fine, but I sure have noticed the difference in the amount of lint produced ... it just seems to grow.

I just thought of a suggestion ... try stitching off to a pieceof fabric (or use leaders/enders), so that the thread is held in place when you start stitching, to prevent the nests you are experiencing. The other way, is to hold the bobbin and spool threads til the first few stitches are made. I found I needed to do this with my previous machine ... but was shocked to discover it was not required with my 6600. It still haunts me at times ... and old habits die yard, as sometimes I still do it out of that habit!!

I really think that you need to take the machine, some fabric and thread to the dealer. Call and see what might be a good time so that they can spend some time with you. If you end up having to leave it for repair, make sure that when you go to pick it up you take fabric, thread with you and don't leave the shop without sewing on it - for a while not just one seam. That way if it is something in the threading or user error they can help you and if not they can send it back to the repair person.

The bobbin thread can easily slip over to the right, when you see that you will have the thread mess on the bottom of your quilt. I always look at the bobbin and make sure that the thread has clicked in and stays to the left. I like Aurifill and Superior, they both work well. My quilt shop says Coats and Clark will mess up a machine. That use to be my go to thread for 40 years.

I have the 6600. Two things to check, make sure the bobbin is threaded correctly and make sure the thread isn't coming out of the take up lever. You can thread the take up lever from left to right instead of right to left and prevent it from coming out.

so does that help keep it from coming unthreaded

Some threads are worse about coming out of the take up lever than others but threading it backwards keeps all threads from coming out of the take up lever.

I've had my 6600 for over 2 years now and not a single problem ... I love mine ! Best machine I've ever had, and I've owned both Pfaffs and Vikings.
I've had no thread or unthreading problems, but I've always used good quality threads. I've used Gutermann and Mettler, no problems, but I use Aurofil most now and Sulky blendables etc. Don't recommend Coats & Clark thread.

Did you buy it from a dealer ? Your dealer needs to go over it if you're having continued thread problems ...

I use Connecting Threads threads. I like the price and I like the results that I get with it. Once in awhile the thread will jump off that little hook thingy that is at the top of the threading pattern. Just have to rethread machine and it's fine. I get the birds nest on the bottom when I start a seam after having used the thread cutter. The only way to not get the nest is to pull the threads out longer and hold them when you start the seam. I've had my 6600p for about 4 years now and it's still a work horse. Going to last me a long time.

Well we were able to get it down to the dealer this Thursday instead of the 16th and were going to try some of the tips that I got today. Thanks again for your help ladies!!!

I have the 6600 and I love it. I use any thread I want (including C&C). I would bet that it isn't threaded correctly. When I was at a quilt retreat a lady had a brand new 6600. She asked me to trouble shoot it for her. Figured out she had the bobbin in backwards. She didn't know that it was directional. She hadn't even noticed the drawing on the bobbin cover.

It is SO easy to miss a little detail and keep doing the same (wrong) thing over and over. I am sure your wife will love it once you get past this initial problem. I have had mine for 5 years now and it is a work horse that sews anything.

There is a yahoo group for the machine and they have files (and pictures) that are helpful. I agree the manual is not very helpful.

Good luck.

Mary

Is it possible that you're not holding the threads taut (or using a leader piece of fabric) before beginning your stitching? If I don't do that, I get a nest where my line of thread begins (but not further down the line). So . . . If the nest is just at the beginning of the sewing line, then I would make sure threads are held taut for the first few stitches. If that doesn't help (or the nesting occurs further down the line of stitching), I'd also be heading back to the dealers.

Good luck!

This happens with mine too.....I use whatever thread I have, whether it is Coats, Connecting Threads or any other and don't have problems....some are more linty than others and require cleaning out the bobbin case more often.

Yea, Coats and Clarks is a no no, even the machine dealer says not to use those old time threads. I use Mettler in mine. The Connecting Threads are good too, just a little linty though. I always had nesting problems, so I got some bobbin washers, Magic Genie I think is their name. They work great. It keeps the bobbin from jumping in the case when you sew. Especially good for machine embroidery.

I never hold my threads at the beginning and don't use a leader piece of fabric. I deal with the little nest at the beginning, don't care. When you have an automatic thread cutter you have to go searching for threads to grab so it's not efficient, timewise, to keep doing that with every piece you're sewing.

I had an awful time in the beginning. I have to be very careful putting the bobbin in and threading the machine. Also you need to hold those threads during the first couple inches. I got a routine down that works and now do not have the problem.

I have a Janome mc6000p which I got last Friday - so not even a week ago. I read, read, read everything on here before I bought it and joined the yahoo group, too. That's a great place - search yahoo groups janome 6600 and you'll have to ask to join the group. They have files there where questions have been answered. I did have to adjust the tension at first. (My husband did it so I'm not sure which way he went.) The manual has a good picture of correct tension with advice on how to fix it - that's what my husband used. I have ordered a bobbin made just for free motion quiltiong - it has a blue dot on it instead of the red one that came with the machine. I got it off Amazon for around $25. I am also getting the Magic Genies mentioned here.

I have no trouble piecing, but when quilting was having some issues. It gets better each time I sew. In my case it's a matter of getting used to the necessary speed to get a good stitch - without birds nests and loops on the back.

Hope you get some good answers soon!

I have this machine too and I only use Aurifil to piece and when I machine quilt I usually use Connecting Threads thread and it works pretty well, but it does make a lot of lint. I have found that the thread makes a huge difference in how the machine sews.

What is happening is the thread is coming out of the take up leaver...to help this run th thread backwards thru the takeup leaver, inotherword left to right.. Also a good thread will help. I talked with a Jerome rep and she said they were await of the problem.

Are you holding the thread taut at the top of the machine while threading? You want to make sure you're hearing it "click" in the tension spring. I've had my 6600 for 4 years and no problems either, although I do find that it loves the aurifil thread best!

I am glad I am not the only one who has a fussy machine, mine does not like C and C thread either. But once I got the thread issue squared away my 6600 runs like a dream. Hope you get your machine working ok, I just love mine

Ben, I sent you a PM with some information that may help.

I bought my Janome 6600 a year and a half ago and she runs like a dream even with Coats & Clark. Definitely take it back and have it tuned. Good luck.

I just got a Janome 6600 in Jan, from a dealer, it was the floor model. I absolutely LOVE it !
I have used all kinds of thread in it, because I was learning to use it.. did not want to waste my expensive stuff.
It has "bucked" a few times, but I realized it was "operator error" that caused it and was able to correct it.
Since I have played around and found out what I need to do to make it not pull material in and bind up the bobbin, as I said ... I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT !
As other posts have said, make sure it is threaded correctly..
bobbin wound correctly, if not threaded correctly, it can wind too tight or too loose)
and put the needle down in fabric,. not on the edge.. you may need to use a starter piece to be sure to sew on the edge of the material...

I've had this machine for almost five years and no big problems. I've used all kinds of thread. I've noticed that when a dealer says you have to use only a certain brand that's the brand they sell. I don't think that's a coincidence. You do have to be careful about the thread coming out of the take up lever and I also use a sew-on/sew-off square when I'm piecing. Hope your dealer can help you. If you can get the problem solved, I think your wife will love the machine.

I also have a 6600 and love it. I give it a hard workout almost daily. Evelyn does not like C&C thread. She works well with Gutterman and Connecting Threads thread. I love the way people on this board jump in and try to help anyone with a problem. Great group of quilters!!

hope all works out at the dealer. few things so disappointing for a sewist/ quilter as getting your dream machine that turns out to be a nightmare. I bought a $10,000 paperweight from BNina; dealer and tech support make all the difference. Now I sew happily along everyday on a Janome. Best regards and many happy sewing days.

I have not read this whole thread so don't know if someone already told you, but I've had the same problem with my Janome 6600P many times. Last year I finally took it to the dealer, cause I was going nuts with this problem. They helped me to analyze what was going on. It seems like a bobbin problem, but it is really a problem with the upper area of your threading.

Although I initially threaded it correctly, sometimes, (for an as unyet determined reason) the thread hops out of the silver thread take-up lever and goes directly from the tension regulating dial down to the needle area. Simply lift the foot, and totally rethread the top of the machine to solve the problem. One thing they told me to do is listen for the little click as the thread enters the top of the silver thread take up lever. There is some little tiny mechanism there that is supposed to help the thread stay in that arm as it goes up and down, and indeed, you can hear it click as the thread passes into the slot on that arm. I've found that now it still happens, but I at least know what to do to solve the situation.

I love my Janome now, even with its idosynchronicities, and hope you have great luck getting on top of this issue to love yours as well.

I suffered through this problem for months when I bought my Janome 6600. I had a huge stash of Guterman thread and no matter what I did, the Janome despised that thread. Took my machine back to the dealer over and over again without any success. I believe they were beginning to think I was nuts because it wouldn't act up when I was in there. I had already decided it was a lemon. THEN, a friend suggested I use the Magic Bobbin Washers. She gave me one to try and I never had another problem. I can sew with any thread with no further problems. Those little washers look like enlarged circular paper reinforcements. They work like a charm and I now use them in ALL my sewing machines, including the Featherweights.[ATTACH=CONFIG]393466[/ATTACH]