Wobbling Bernina

Because it was something that I could try - I swapped the bobbin case from
the 155 to the 440QE. The stitch looks better. But - yes. I sew too much
too. Polly


"Pati, in Phx" wrote in message
...
Sounds like the needle bar assembly has worked/worn itself a bit
loose.
The reason the straight stitch only machines make a great straight
stitch is that the needle bar assembly never moves from its position.
With zigzag capability the needle bar assembly has to move from side
to side. Eventually, from use, from hitting a pin or such or
otherwise, the assembly gets to the point where it doesn't "hold" as
tight as it should. So the needle can move a bit as it stitches.
May just need an adjustment, but may need to have the needle bar
assembly replaced. (ouch) When I had to have the assembly replaced a
year or so ago the service tech told me that I "sewed too much" G.
Of course this was 20+ years after I bought the machine. sigh. (cost
was about $400. but cheaper than a new machine.)

good luck with it,

Pati, in Phx




On Apr 26, 9:03 pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
I've only made a hundred quilts or so on my Bernina 440QE. Strangely now,
she doesn't make a lovely perfect straight stitch.
Nobody will die if I have to take her to a far-away dealer for attention
and I do have backup.
Just wondering if there's something I could try myself to get her back.
I'm making a QOV with a white backing and using red thread. Ordinarily,
this would be beautiful but her wobbles just won't do at all. Any
thoughts?
Polly

Polly Esther wrote:
Because it was something that I could try - I swapped the bobbin case
from the 155 to the 440QE. The stitch looks better. But - yes. I sew
too much too. Polly

Rather than anything dire, it's probably just n=in need of a service.
The modern electronic machines are very good and very precice, but that
precision depends on a number of little servo motors all working and
being properly aligned. It is the nature of the thing to need minor
adjustments every so often and this indicates a servive. My Lily is due
for a service: I can tell this when the buttonholes are not quite as
they should be,

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Polly,

Did you also try switching bobbins?

There may be a bit of fluff stick someplace that's hard to get at in
the bobbin case , or perhaps a bit of residue on the bobbin case or
bobbin case base.

I don't know if you ever stitch through anything sticky (basting
adhesive, etc) and if so this stuff can get onto the bobbin case area
and make the thread stick. Try cleaniing the bobbin case inside and
out with alcohol dipped in a qtip; wipe and let the alcohol dissipate
before testing on the machine. And don't forget to do the same to
bobbin case base where the bobbin goes in (IF it's all metal), and the
metal spindle the bobbin case sits on.

-Irene

On Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:37:26 -0500, "Polly Esther"
wrote:

Because it was something that I could try - I swapped the bobbin case from
the 155 to the 440QE. The stitch looks better. But - yes. I sew too much
too. Polly


"Pati, in Phx" wrote in message
...
Sounds like the needle bar assembly has worked/worn itself a bit
loose.
The reason the straight stitch only machines make a great straight
stitch is that the needle bar assembly never moves from its position.
With zigzag capability the needle bar assembly has to move from side
to side. Eventually, from use, from hitting a pin or such or
otherwise, the assembly gets to the point where it doesn't "hold" as
tight as it should. So the needle can move a bit as it stitches.
May just need an adjustment, but may need to have the needle bar
assembly replaced. (ouch) When I had to have the assembly replaced a
year or so ago the service tech told me that I "sewed too much" G.
Of course this was 20+ years after I bought the machine. sigh. (cost
was about $400. but cheaper than a new machine.)

good luck with it,

Pati, in Phx




On Apr 26, 9:03 pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
I've only made a hundred quilts or so on my Bernina 440QE. Strangely now,
she doesn't make a lovely perfect straight stitch.
Nobody will die if I have to take her to a far-away dealer for attention
and I do have backup.
Just wondering if there's something I could try myself to get her back.
I'm making a QOV with a white backing and using red thread. Ordinarily,
this would be beautiful but her wobbles just won't do at all. Any
thoughts?
Polly

How it warms my heart to see you feel like climbing in here, Irene.
Welcome, welcome home.
I don't stitch gummy stuff. When something says "won't gum up your
needle" I always think "wanna bet?"
But . . . it's probably well past time to find a dealer and get my
favorite tool properly tended. The 440QE is only a year old but has been a
million happy miles.
Just because I trust you so much, I'll go get the alcohol and q-tips and
give the bobbin case/area a cleaning and over-night drying. Might feel as
good to Miss Bernina as taking off a longline bra. Anyone remember those?
Polly


"IMS" wrote in message ...
Polly,

Did you also try switching bobbins?

There may be a bit of fluff stick someplace that's hard to get at in
the bobbin case , or perhaps a bit of residue on the bobbin case or
bobbin case base.

I don't know if you ever stitch through anything sticky (basting
adhesive, etc) and if so this stuff can get onto the bobbin case area
and make the thread stick. Try cleaniing the bobbin case inside and
out with alcohol dipped in a qtip; wipe and let the alcohol dissipate
before testing on the machine. And don't forget to do the same to
bobbin case base where the bobbin goes in (IF it's all metal), and the
metal spindle the bobbin case sits on.

-Irene

Another thing about my old mechanical Singers, if you crash, break a
needle, etc., they keep on going without a trip to the hospital. I
crashed my Bernina 160 and knocked it completely out of time, it was
out of business until the hospital trip and $120. It's a good thing I
had backup mechanical.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA


On Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:53:58 -0700 (PDT), John
wrote:

On Apr 27, 9:09*am, "Polly Esther" wrote:
There was a new needle in but just in case, I changed it anyway. *Checked
all areas for fluff. *Stitches look a little better but I suspect there's a
board, chip or something going wonky. *Polly

"John"

One of the things that my 430 did was choke if there was any fluff
under the stitch plate. That is where I would start if all all of the
tension settings are correct and you need to look for something else.
John

That is why I love mechanical machines. No chip, No error.
John

I do believe in back-up. It surprises me that Steven doesn't have at least
an old straight-stitch something. Polly

"Bonnie Patterson" wrote in message
...
Another thing about my old mechanical Singers, if you crash, break a
needle, etc., they keep on going without a trip to the hospital. I
crashed my Bernina 160 and knocked it completely out of time, it was
out of business until the hospital trip and $120. It's a good thing I
had backup mechanical.

Polly Esther wrote:
I do believe in back-up. It surprises me that Steven doesn't have at
least an old straight-stitch something. Polly

I have crashed the Lily in to pins, zipper stops, corset boning, metal
collar stiffeners, and thick wodges of fabric. Doesn't seem to worry it
at all. needle shrapnel everywhere, and nary a problem. But just
time...18 months or so of LOTS of sewing of all sorts, and it needs a
little TLC.

However, I was prepared for this when I bought the machine. It has
already (I suddenly realized the other day!) done ten and a half years
of serious slave labour. It's getting more of a rest these last few
months with the test machines comming through. But any time I need
something a little fancy or a good se;;-to-customer buttonhole, Lily is
there and smiling. She needs her tune-up right now: last lot of
buttonholes were getting a tad iffy towards the end...
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Taria, love my Janome 6600, but I use it only for machine quilting and
the occasional fancy stitch. All piecing gets done on my 1950's Singer
301, which has a fantastic stitch (and I can fix myself). Never was
happy with piecing on the 6600, or on my Bernina 153QE. Modern
machines have feed dogs that are too wide, which makes it hard to stay
on that 1/4" seam.

I also love being able to sew on one project while I have the 6600 set
up for quilting on another.


On Apr 27, 9:12*am, "Taria" wrote:
That is just what I was thinking. *I am really trying to enjoy the Janome
6600 but I am with you on this John. * You might be in trouble when we think
alike. *lol