Emblove

Hi, I am new to this forum and I am having some issues with my NQ1600E embroidery machine. It has served me well for about 5 years. But lately it seems to be having so many problems. I use Exquisite thread, and some Florian’i. Lately some thread shredding, thread getting caught on the hook race, and breaking needles. I use the correct needle and stabilizer that pertains to the fabric for the project. I had it in the shop for a check up and cleaning last summer. It was running louder, but they said nothing was wrong. I have put over 5 million stitches on it. I am just getting frustrated with these intermittent issues and I am not convinced there is nothing wrong with it. I live 60 miles away from the dealer who told me nothing was wrong with it, and I am not excited about spending another $100+ to tell me nothing is wrong. Has anyone had any of these issues with their machine? If so, what did you do about it? I live in Tennessee between Knoxville and Nashville, closer to Knoxville. Thanks so much!

sewingpup

Umm...I had a viking embroidery and sewing machine, and it was getting louder. It sounds like you have used it well. I don't know how often you use it and what the 5,000,000 stiches means in terms of a lot of usage. But I do remember when I brought the machine in for servicing, and mentioned that it was getting noisier, he said that with a lot of use, the parts do get worn and can create more noise. He did replace on plastic part while stating that that part used to be metal and would last longer. Anyway, if I had been using my embroidery machine for 5 years a lot and could come up with an excuse to buy a new one I would! Home machines are not designed to last as long as industrial ones. My viking D1 did last 20 some years and I did a fair amount of embroidery, but I also worked full time while I had it and used it for regular sewing too. One of the things techs look at is the number of stitches as the warranty will only cover home usage and not business usage. I don't know what the techs consider excessive stitches. Oh, and the D1 was considered top of the line about 30 some years ago and I think I paid about $6000 for it. Yikes! I did love that machine though

ElaineCovid

My friend has a Pfaff Creative Vision 4.0 and it shreds during embroidery with Robison Anton thread. The machine was just serviced this week and still shreds the thread during embroidery. It is fine for regular sewing....
I wonder if the throat plate (where that little "unique to Pfaff" notch is) is the problem. She said the service guy "looked at it" and just commented that all the Pfaff's have that little notch for some reason. I'm not sure if he actually checked it for burrs...
She is very frustrated as we are to take an embroidery class in a few weeks...
Any and all advice appreciated.

Emblove

Thank you for your reply! I spoke with a tech and asked if I have worn out my machine, he said many people get many more stitches than 5 million. I know parts wear out and that is what he said too. So thank you!

Emblove

I can sure understand her frustration and concern. I hope she can find out what is wrong and get it fixed before your class.
It is upsetting to have this happen when you can't do a thing about it. At first I blamed the thread but that isn't it at all. I will post what happened if I can find a fix for it. Going to make some inquiries tomorrow. Bless her heart.

sewingpup

On a long arm, the threads can wear the thread guides a bit which can cause thread to fray. Embroidery machines stitch so fast so maybe they can also cause the thread guides to develop little groves. Oh, I just found this video about sudden fraying of the thread on a brother machine. Interesting, there is a little metal piece at threading point 6 that can slide under the metal bar and needs to be on top for the thread not to fray.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOCl4mIe5qU

ZooAnimals

Hi Emblove 5 million stitches is nothing...I do Millon stitches in one project, done about 8 projects so far with it, I hope to do a hundred or more projects before I would retire my machine . I have had this Machine ( Janome 550E ) for about 18 months and have not had a problem with it . I do a complete oil every month as per the service manual which comes with the Machine. If you are getting shredding there is something sharp along the course the thread is traveling. Could be a bad batch of thread, I have this sometimes and finished up throwing the spool out, just not worth the effort to try and save it,I use Elegant thread and have had very few problems with it.

quiltingcandy

My Viking Designer Topaz 20 has been going strong for about 12 years and a lot of heavy embroidery. Some of my thread is that old. And I live in a very dry climate - so I use "Sewer' Aid". It goes directly onto the spool of thread and some people use mineral oil. But it stops the thread from breaking. If I hear a lot of popping sounds, it usually means I need a new needle. My new repairman is a certified Viking/Husqvarna/Pfaff dealer told me to use a needle for the metallic thread. It has a bigger eye. It has really helped. It was funny, I went in, thinking I needed to look for a new machine, but he said the one I was using should last another 10 years. He did a wonderful servicing of the machine. The shop I bought it from always had a quick turn around time - but it just never seemed to improve the machine. This new fellow reset the machine to factory standards and it acts like it did when it was new.

Emblove

thank you for your response and I am so happy for you that you found a very good serviceman.

Emblove

Hi Zoo Animals, Elegant thread must be thread you purchase in Australia? Or, I have not heard of that brand. My thread is not old or at least I don't believe it was when I purchased it within the last few years. I am a Janome user myself, my sewing machines are MC6500 (sister to your 6600) and my travel machine is a Janome 49360. I don't believe the 550 was out or there was some reason why I chose the Brother at the time. All that said, Janome makes wonderful machines. I hope you continue to embroider and sew your way to millions upon millions of stitches with very little problems. I do know the shredding is from something sharp. I found the thread guide spring had moved down a bit, I pushed it back but today I am not sure if that fixed the problem. Have a wonderful weekend and again thank you. You were very encouraging.