Help with Elna SU 62C - Pulls when Stitching?
 

Hi, newbie here so thanks in advance for your help! I've recently bought an Elna SU 62C - so cute! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Attachment 627177

But I'm not sure if its working as it should. As a test, I sewed on a sheet of paper without thread to see the needle/stitch marks. In the photo below, the stitch line on the left is from my old Janome - nice define needle marks. On the right is from the 62C - the paper is almost torn along the stitch line. I know the presser foot pressure on the 62C isn't adjustable, but should it be doing this with only a single sheet of paper? ...can I adjust anything or does it need to be serviced professionally? Thank you!

Attachment 627178

Welcome to QB. I'm not familiar with your machine, but that doesn't look right. I'm wondering if you tried it by hand or with the motor? I've read of a machine that the feed dogs move while the needle is still in the fabric, but that was not an Elna. I'm wondering if the timing is off or the feed dogs are set too high?

I don't know if either of the following would help? https://issuu.com/davidmannock/docs/...ervice_manuals
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/10...roduct-SU%2062

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

Thank you Janey! The stitch line was made with the motor on. I just tried it by hand and got the same results. When I looked closely, it does appear that the paper is advancing before the needle is entirely out of the way....timing issue? Is this something I can easily adjust myself with help of the manual? I've tinkered a bit with sewing machines but never with anything major...

A bit more info: On the 62C, the feed dogs come up when the needle is in the down position, but its the reverse on my Janome (which is working properly), the feed dogs come up with the needle is in the up position.

Thanks!

I don't know if the manuals would help or not. I've only tried on a couple of machines. The bobbin case on a 620 was all messed up and I was able to get it set and was able to sew a cover for the manual and foot controller bag. The Pfaff 1222 I tried at least a half dozen times and thought I got it so that it would stitch properly. I put it away and when I got it out again it was off again. It is still in "time out" https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/redface.png

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

lol - yep, I have one of those misbehaving machines too. Ok, I'm going to scour the manuals and give it a go this weekend. Will let you know if I manage to make it better or worse! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

Thanks!

Good luck!! I wish you well.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I have made measurements and a sketch for how the feed dogs move on my Singer 201. The same sketch cotains information on position of the needle point and take-up lever. I guess it should not be that different on your machine, so you can get some idea where the timing seems off. I hope it will help you.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...1&d=1597842553

Before worrying about timing, he the following.
First, get two pieces of fabric. ..not paper
Check your bobbin, so the thread coming off of the bobbin in the correct direction for your machine.
Next, Chek your threading of top thread. Be sure to do this with the foot up
Check the thread tension according to the normal setting for your machine...
Replace the needle with a new one. A 90/14 topstith works well.
put your fabric pieces under the foot, lower foot, hold on to your needle thread and hand turn for the needle to go down and pull your bobbin thread up to the top and pull to the back.
sew your test. Hopefully everything will be perfect. Best wishes.
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If this statement is correct, this cannot be anything about a thread making holes in the paper - am I right?

Makes sense to me, but I would still test it as Lady Diana suggests, could be something as simple as a burr on the needle plate tearing the paper.

Right on. Follow these instructions for the Elna 62C. It is a magnificent machine. Really magnificent. Totally purrs with amazing straight stitch. Use two pieces of material and follow these instruction. I look forward to hearing.

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your advice! I thought I had posted reply but it looks like I didn't do it properly....so trying again.

Lady Diana - I was very lucky to get the machine with both original manuals so I followed the threading/tension instructions to a T. Sadly the stitches were still pulling and that's when I tried on paper to try to eliminate the thread and tension possibilities.

Gymnast2 - If I understand your diagram correctly, I think my machine was doing the opposite...when I looked very closely, I saw that the feed dog was at its highest just as the needle was clearing the plate.

Since Janey had kindly provided me with links to 62C service manuals, I found instructions to adjust the feed dog timing and decided to gave it a go. Several long hours later with a lot of nervous perspiration and unlady-like language https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/redface.png, success! The machine sews beautifully now and the special cam stitches are coming out as they should (love the ducky stitch).

In hindsight, it was a very simple adjustment once I found the right tools, but because this was a 'bigger' adjustment I've ever made and I didn't want to do more damage to the machine, it was a bit nerve-racking, lol.

I think I'll still take it in to a pro for a full servicing so that I can experience the 62C in all its vintage glory. Thank you all for helping out this newbie!

https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/thumbup.png Congratulations, good for you to tackle it and get it going again. Thanks for getting back and letting us know that you got it back to making the correct stitches. I've heard a lot of good things about your machine.

Now you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.