Thread: Help! Serger won't make chain?

Any serger experts out there? I've rethreaded the machine, but it still won't make a chain. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

Mine does that when it is incorrectly threaded, which happens frustratingly often.

My trouble is always with the very last step of getting the two lower threads where they should go.

Originally Posted by steffib

Mine does that when it is incorrectly threaded, which happens frustratingly often.

My trouble is always with the very last step of getting the two lower threads where they should go.

Yeah, I figured that was the problem, but I'm not sure how to get it properly threaded. There's obviously some trick to it that they're not illustrating in the manual.

What kind of serger do you have? I recently joined a Yahoo group for White sergers and it has been helpful.

Hi Kiyaana, it's a White Speedylock. Can you link me the yahoo group?

Are your threading it in the right order? I think mine is lower looper, upper looper, right needle, left needle. Maybe the loopers are reversed in my order, I don't remember.
That makes a difference.

Good luck. I know how infuriating that can be.

Originally Posted by SandraDances

Are your threading it in the right order? I think mine is lower looper, upper looper, right needle, left needle. Maybe the loopers are reversed in my order, I don't remember.
That makes a difference.

Good luck. I know how infuriating that can be.

I threaded according to the guide on the machine and the manual, but I think I might have messed up the thread order.

I'll try again today.

I have the same problem with my 1034D Brother serger! I change de setting to do a narrow rolled hem (with 3 threads) and it went very well.

But the sh... hapend when I reset it and re-thread it with 4 thread ,m:: since it won't make a chain. So last week around 10h30 I push the off button, unplugged it and we are not speaking to each other since then...c::..cr.:..cr.:

My friend told me to set all the tensions at 0 and start all over, making tests upgrading the tensions setting little by little. Will see, I waiting untill next weekend...

Qamar

Most likely, it's operator error. I'd suggest completely unthreading the machine and starting from scratch. Make sure all of your thread spools are loaded from the same direction and check as you're rethreading that you're (1) threading in the correct spool order, and (2) not missing any thread guides, since those are the two things most likely to cause the chaining mechanism to fail.

There is the small chance that it is not your threading but the machine's fault. If the timing gears get off cycle, the loopers will not engage in the right order. Unless you had a catastrophic jam with an ominous crunching sound, or you were really doing crazy experiments with the tension dials, this isn't terribly likely to happen. It's a minor repair to have a technician reset and rebalance the machine if it does, though. If you bought your machine from a sewing store, can you call them to ask if they'll let you bring it in for a quick rethreading?

Originally Posted by Qamar60

My friend told me to set all the tensions at 0 and start all over, making tests upgrading the tensions setting little by little.

Yes, I always do this after I rethread. This is the easiest way to balance the thread tensions.

My Elna is very fussy about being threaded correctly too. Sometimes it takes me 3 or 4 tries to get it just right. When I do, it sews like a dream. One of the silly mistakes I used to make frequently was not raising the thread antenna. You'd be surprised how much a simple thing like that can mess up a serger.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Most likely, it's operator error. I'd suggest completely unthreading the machine and starting from scratch. Make sure all of your thread spools are loaded from the same direction and check as you're rethreading that you're (1) threading in the correct spool order, and (2) not missing any thread guides, since those are the two things most likely to cause the chaining mechanism to fail.

There is the small chance that it is not your threading but the machine's fault. If the timing gears get off cycle, the loopers will not engage in the right order. Unless you had a catastrophic jam with an ominous crunching sound, or you were really doing crazy experiments with the tension dials, this isn't terribly likely to happen. It's a minor repair to have a technician reset and rebalance the machine if it does, though. If you bought your machine from a sewing store, can you call them to ask if they'll let you bring it in for a quick rethreading?



Yes, I always do this after I rethread. This is the easiest way to balance the thread tensions.

It's been a long time since I've used the machine, so there could be any number of things going on. I'm going to try again today, and if I'm not having any luck I'll see about getting some professional help.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

It's been a long time since I've used the machine, so there could be any number of things going on. I'm going to try again today, and if I'm not having any luck I'll see about getting some professional help.

..l;, I'm laughing at your "get professional help" statement. Any of us that have dared step foot into the realm of the serger should seek "professional help".

When they're good, they're oh so good. And when they're bad, they're oh so bad. I always resolve never to work with mine if it's after dark or I'm tired.

The only thing I can add to the discussion: Do you actually have fabric in the machine? Mine (Pfaff 776) needs fabric to start chaining, but once started will continue without fabric...

Originally Posted by zorba

The only thing I can add to the discussion: Do you actually have fabric in the machine? Mine (Pfaff 776) needs fabric to start chaining, but once started will continue without fabric...

No, there's no fabric. I'll try that, thanks!

The group is white_model_sergers.

Mine's a Speedylock, too. 1500, I believe.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Hi Kiyaana, it's a White Speedylock. Can you link me the yahoo group?

I agree with Tourbeau.

Unthread everything.

Re-thread starting from right to left; the last one(s) threaded should go to the needle(s).

My Kenmore will make a chain without fabric in it.
(2/3/4 thread capable)

Originally Posted by gothique

Re-thread starting from right to left; the last one(s) threaded should go to the needle(s).

Not all machines thread in the same sequence, so it's a good idea to check your book. The needles always thread last, and you may be able to interchange whether you thread the right or left needle first, but the loopers need to thread in a specific order. My serger actually uses the order 3,4,2,1, and it's a Singer.

I love bhuz!! Couldn't get my serger to work .... for the life of me. Found my answer here. Yea!!

Another "gotcha" is to make absolutely certain that all threads are actually going BETWEEN their respective tension disks. If the thread is just sitting on top of them instead of BETWEEN - it looks the exactly the same from any distance greater than 1 inch away! Older sergers (like mine!) with tension knobs facing the operator instead of the newer sideways orientation are even easier to farkle up - you have to jack your head around to the side to see the tension disks at all.

Once upon a time I was totally ready to throw my serger into the swamp behind my house. The damn thing had been working just fine, I changed thread and suddenly it wasn't. I checked, and checked and checked and it still wouldn't work. I told it exactly what was going to happen to it if it didn't straighten up (something involving a hydraulic jack and my car), and walked away. The next day, I looked at the disks - hidden behind the knobs - and saw one where the thread was just sitting on the juncture between the disks - but not DOWN IN BETWEEN them. Fixed that, and VIOLA! Life was good again.

Tamra,

If you decide to go for professional help I recommend the "Sew & So" in downtown Garland. He does repairs on factory machines and home models.

Only on bhuz will there ever be a "Zombie Serger Thread."

What do Zombie Sergers want?

"CHAAAAINS...."

Has anybody bought a new serger lately that they've fallen in love with?

I would sell my soul for a Babylock evolution. 8 threads and all Self threading mmmmm (and I played with it and it seriously is self threading!), also it has a thread delivery system where I can move from sewing silk to lycra to denim without having to change anything, it's tension free!!! Rolled hem is the click of one dial!!!

I currently have a 5 thread Janome Compulock 2, it's a few years old now but still runs like a dream. Best because it has computerised tension so I get a better degree of control, which is helpful for making all the different things I make. I haven't had to rethread for a long time as I am adept at changing thread types and colours without having to actually re-thread, I have 2 lower loopers running parallel though as one is for cover stitch (front) and for normal sewing I have to thread the back looper which is about 3mm away. Needless to say, it's a nightmare to re-thread! I mini service my own machines (was taught as part of my collage certificates in fashion) and take to a workshop when I want the timing checked. You can prolong the life by oiling and cleaning your machines at least once a month (once a week for me!). I do love my overlocker (surger to Americans) and they are a fantastic investment, but I have advised customers in the past that money indicates a better machine (not always the case with sewing machines). Mine cost $1500 about 8 years ago and it's only been in repair once. I use it sometimes up to 40 hours a week. Babylock is just shy of $4K but seriously worth every penny. Damn craft fairs and the opportunity to play with things way out of your price range!!!! :D