Cari-in-Oly

I was wondering this too. The 404 is a household machine, not meant for heavy work.

Cari

AlvaStitcher

Today i went 0ver the machine again especially the bobbin case. Around the inside rim there were tiny, and I mean Tiny, bits of oily lint. I cleaned that out good, took the tension system completely apart (had to watch a video on how to put back together again, LOL) and used a vacuum attachment made especially for sewing machines or small appliances. It sews better but still seems to get jammed while sewing. It doesn’t jam up when I start a line of sewing, it is sometimes when I stop during the line and continue on without breaking the thread, just begin sewing again. I haven’t been sewing the heavy duck cloth since hobbling along to finish the things for the airplane. Today I used a quilt sandwich to experiment. Thanks for all your comments. If the problem grows worse I certainly will take it back to repairman. He did not charge me anything the last time because he said he couldn’t find anything wrong with it. Thanks again.

OurWorkbench

It seems like I read something about when one is sewing, particularly when turning square corners, which may help. Are you leaving the needle in the fabric and then start sewing again? The tip was to turn the hand wheel to its lowest position and then starts the upward stroke and leave the needle in that possiton to stop. This would help finish the stitch while the machine is at rest. If you are stopping with the needle out of the fabric? Maybe if you turn the hand wheel until the take up lever is at its highest position when you stop, the machine will be in the 'normal' starting position.


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

bkay

I've had some thread jamming problems with my 401. It, too, is in the middle of the seam. You have to cut out the thread jam to get the fabric out of the machine. Usually, by then, you have no clue what actually happened. It appears as if the top thread loop just gets longer and longer with each stitch until it gets hung on it's way around the bobbin. I cleaned the machine extremely well in the bobbin area following the directions on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cB50JdKh8g. After cleaning, the problem almost disappeared, but not entirely.

bkay

AlvaStitcher

Bday, Yes, that is exactly what is happening with my 404. Thank you. Was beginning to think I was dreaming. After thoroughly cleaning again and again it seems to be better but not completely healed. LOL. Decided to take it back to repairman to see if he can’t take the bobbin area further apart than I am able to do to see if some additional lint or thread is hidden where I can’t see it or get to it.

bkay

Let me know what you find out, please.

bkay

Second thought - Maybe it has something to do with the top tension. That's another part of the machine that I have not taken apart to clean.

AlvaStitcher

BKay, I took the tension completely apart on Saturday. Not sure exactly what made the slight improvement. LOL