Help, my machine is raspy

[View My TQS Profile mandysilk]

My Kenmore computerized sewing machine has suddenly started making a strange noise. It started yesterday. I was using a jeans needle because of the bulkyness of the fleece I was using in a costume when the needle literally shattered on me - broke in two places - while I was sewing two peices together. (what I was sewing at the time was actually less bulky than earlier stages of the project). There were no pins in the fabric to strike and I was letting the feed dogs do the work, not pulling or anything. I took everything apart, cleaned the machine throughly, put in a new needle and rethreaded. The machine is now making a rasping noise which I have isolated to the bobbin assembly. I take it out and the noise goes away and the machine purrs like a kitten. I tried a couple drops of oil even though it is a "no need to oil" machine, but the rasp will not go away. I have a service plan, but I have a large number of projects in the works and really can't spare the machine for the 2-4 weeks it would be gone. Anyone have a suggestion? It is a brand new Sears Kenmore computerized sewing machine.

[View My TQS Profile JudyinOhio]

Have you used a narrow nozzle on a vacuum to make sure there are no "crumbs" of broken needle hidden in the innards of the machine? Are you using a different bobbin now .... might have damaged the bobbin? Can you sew normal fabrics without a noise?

I am guessing that perhaps the "accident" happened because your needle came loose and dropped down into the hole and that's what caused it to snap into pieces. (Sometimes we don't tighten the needle in place as tight as we think we have or it just works itself loose over time .. )

Can't think of any other ideas.

Now might be the time to go to garage sales and look for a vintage sewing machine that's in working order to have on hand as your back-up machine. It doesn't have to be anything fancy ... just a good old workhorse of a metal Singer would do. You can sometimes find those for under $30 and after a good do-it-yourself cleaning it'll run just fine. Then when you send your "baby" off to be repaired or tuned up at least you will have an "old faithful" to tide you over.

Judy

[View My TQS Profile quiltnlady]

Mandy, check your bobbin case for any spots that might have been made by the needle hitting it. Also, when the needle hit the bobbin case, the case could have moved a bit to one side and scraped the case assembly. If you can see into the assembly or remove it, I'd check everything to see if something is warped. That's my 2 cents.

Hope you get it fixed. It's terrible to be without a machine.

Sharon in TN

[View My TQS Profile PnPQuiltGuilder]

Also, check your shuttle hook. It should be smooth and sharp with no snags. I messed mine up once breaking a needle, and it had to be sanded, but I would let the tech do that!

Louisa
SE OK

[View My TQS Profile stitchbee]

Not sure which machine you have? I have the kenmore 19233 and it started making funny noises when I sewed. I took it in to a local janome dealer. Turns out it was due to the needle timing being out. Works like a top now.

[View My TQS Profile mandysilk]

My machine is also a 19233. I took the advise and cleaned the machine a second time, but I never found any other needle parts. I had my dh take a look at it yesterday - he's not a sewing machine repairman, but he is a mechanical engineer so I figured he would figure it out. Once he figured out how everything worked (lol, he was so funny to watch because he wouldn't listen to me, he had to figure it out himself. He was like a kid with a tinker toy, lol) he zeroed in pretty quick on the problem. My hook appears to just be rubbing on the bobbin assembly - just enough that you can make out where something has rubbed but not enough for there to be a gouge or anything you can see unless you really look. His opinion was that it will be ok for the short term so I can finish my projects, but then I will send it off to the repair man to get looked at. In the mean time I put just a drop of machine oil on the rubbing spot and the sound went away. Thanks to all of you who replied, you guys are great.

[View My TQS Profile JudyinOhio]

Thanks for letting us know the outcome of the story.

And it still might be a good idea to have an inexpensive back-up machine on hand in case you have a crisis in the future.

Judy