Horror story...but I won !!!

I use mainly a Jeans needle size 14 for my metallics. I seldom have any problems, but if any threads keep on breaking, I open my machine and check to see if something is stuck and then I gently remove it. It has always worked well for me. By the way, I never slow my machine down much and I don't fiddle with the tension.

My 3 year Gold standard is up at the end of the year - I plan on trying this myself if I have the nerve!!! LOL`

http://www.annsultfixit.com/UltFi... manual for fixing problems in the ULT 2003
Worked for me just now. Wonderful manual! She told me in an email that she had to travel far and thru unsavory parts of a city to reach her repairman--her hubby is EE and they together have worked out how to tackle her probs at home--saving the travel & expense. I don't want to be without this maintenance manual for my 2 ULT's. AND, I found info that helps with my Snoopy machine as well. I have also downloaded a 'repair' PDF from the internet, tho I'd be reluctant to dive into the "innards" (motherbd, etc). However, there is a lot we owners can do for ourselves!

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by dailylaundry 03 Dec 2014

Wow - that is a wonderful page!!

You were brave to attempt this, but we lots of things out of desperation!!! Glad you had success!!!! Kay

I had nothing but problems with Metallic threads. The woman at the machine shop told me when I asked advice on how to solve the problem said use a Jeans needle. Well I tried that as well as slowing the machine down as far as it would go. Ended up with a big mess in the top. Had to take it in to be cleaned out. Repair man told me off for using the jeans needle. So I have never bothered with metallic again.

Good for you for taking it apart and fixing it .i do it all the time .You would be surprised what you sometimes fin d lol hugs Carolyn

Wow you are a brave sole. Thanks for posting this. Lots of good info to refer to. The amount of thread you fished out of your machine is amazing. I hope she is stitching happily now.

Wow, quite the thread mess you have there! Good for you...I am lucky, I guess...I have a Baby Lock Ellisimo and my repair man actually has shown me how to remove the covers to troubleshoot problems...He has spent over an hour on the phone with me a couple of times to help me "fix" the problem of the day...this has prevented me from having to drive 225 miles to get the machine to him to look at...although, the last time, I had to take the machine in and he had to totally replace the hook assembly..took 5 days...

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by dailylaundry 03 Dec 2014

Oh, you have a wonderful repair man!!!

This might be of interest to others. My Elna Embroidery machine wound the bobbin cotton into a mess on an embroidery item I was doing, the wheel would not move, I had to take it the repair guy who said it was lucky not too serious, but the scissor cutter had jammed the machine of which he managed to release it, thank goodness. I was doing lettering on a Tshirt. Maureen in Durban

Well done Zoe, I can't take my machines apart - I think Husqvarna and Brother make them so as we can't do it ourselves! Love Chris

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by awesome1 01 Dec 2014

Oh, but mine is a Brother..the ULT model from 2003. I have to remove 2 cover parts to get to my bronze bearing--and then retreiving the wound thread is a hassle...but it can be done. I'll share that my 1st trip to repair for this, it was totally locked. The guy needed to bring the bearing forward so he forced the wheel backwards--to which I cried out "you're not supposed to do that!" He responded "I'm the repairman & I can do what I want". haha So that incident took away my fear of doing what needed to be done. However, I have to get "some" of the threads removed before turning the wheel. It is a frustrating job, but cheaper than 200 miles and $$$. The 'fixit' manual I mentioned below will help for a lot of the Brother and Babylock machines.. You gals nees to pull up your big girl pants and make a stab at your own simple repairs--save time and money!

by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

I have a brother, and as you could see it opened quite easily. Maybe it depens of the model ?

by asterixsew 01 Dec 2014

its quite possible to open up Brother machines Chris. I have saved my self a long journey with a phone call and a chat with instructions. My dealer 'services' a machine that's on a small island miles and miles from anywhere, its all done via email and Skype. its knowing where the screws are to undo. Its made to look like we cant get in but some of us know otherwise

It's the sewing Gremlins they seem to attack our machines when we need them the most.. Congratulations for being so brave.. I have to sew with the cover that goes over the light off, I can't see if it is threaded properly or if the thread starts to fray.. my biggest problem at the moment is birds nests but only on a couple of colours, go figure I've used these before and no problems.. Marian

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by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

hmm.. I was thinking the same.. it as mostly the green metalic thread.. new bobbin..

Linda - that was quite a brave thing to do. Well done. I do not think that any machine really likes metallic thread. I have found that it is best if the thread is as far away as possible from the machine so it does not get all twisted. My DH made me a stand for thread to try and stop the problem and it certainly helps.

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by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

thanks for the tip. But I think I will skip the metalic threads for a while..

Wow! You are so brave! You must be so proud of yourself, as I am of you! I was thinking of tacking a machine myself. It is a problem with the feed dogs. I think I need a book. or a video! What machine is it?

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by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

I have a brother Innovis, it opens with normal screwdriver and has plastic cover pieces

Wow Amazing!! Glad it is working again!

Must be the season for messes!!
I was using my machine for the first time in 3 months when it made funny noises. Stopped, checked, restarted - nothing.
The next colour the thread broke and it would not come out easily.
Removed hoop, checked vital statistics on machine so that I could finish the design at a later time (learnt that 6 months ago when I used an old frayed thread, but forgot where to find the stitch count, so wrote a verbal description of where I was up to in the stitch-out).
Started work on the broken thread. Nothing, it was good and stuck. and I could see a horrible mess in there amongst the fine wires and do-dads that make up the inside of my machine.
Covered machine and went away thinking I would have to make a big trip to the serviceman next Saturday.
After doing some washing and other stuff, came back and set up the magnifying glass and some more light and the vacuum cleaner and had another go at it.
Serviceman said I was never to use canned air, and to only use the vacuum cleaner to suck NOT BLOW at times like this.
I vacuumed and fiddled and vacuumed, finally the thread came out. But I have to buy a new bulb for my torch! Had removed its cover so that I had a clearer white light and it fell on the floor and bent out of shape.
Machine stitched beautifully after that.
The cat didn't like the vacuum cleaner in the way, so she went and cuddled up on DH's computer chair in his room.

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by pacmp 01 Dec 2014

Yeah! You too are to be commended for figuring out a solution to your embroidery machines issues! I would not have even an inkling of where to start with my Hus and do think that viking has made it so we can not access those interiors besides the bobbin areas. Great Job!

by mops 01 Dec 2014

You can, but my service guy told me if you force the cover off those tiny hooks that are supposed to keep everything shut might break off. He showed me when he serviced mine (the guy makes house calls). But a metal casing and screws would make things a lot easier...

by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

thanks for the tip not to blow. I'll try to remember that. I just was so desperate. I don't think I have something that vacummes.

by Patricia109 01 Dec 2014

Zoe my machine is a Brother and my serviceman is so good to me. When I had the last mess in there, he gave me instructions over the phone. That was interesting as I am not home during shop hours. But I didn't trust myself, so took it too him. This time he almost had it, but not quite. I think I could find how to get into the machine if I really wanted to, but prefer to try with it the machine in tact first. &&& watch it girls, some machines will have their warranties voided if you open them up while still under warranty.

OMG..same with me today while doing a T-shirt. My ULT 2003 D locked in the middle of the design. Knew immediately I would be disassembling for clean-up. I stood over the shoulder of my auth. repairman the first time--watched--and do the job myself now. This machine is so mean about wrapping thread in the bronze bearing. http://www.annsultfixit.com/ultfi... has been my ''bible''. I managed to continue my design after about 2 hrs of labor cleaning the thread pieces out.

1 images:[1]

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by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

the link does not work for me ?

by awesome1 03 Dec 2014

This one will, for sure---I just checked. http://www.annsultfixit.com/UltFi... manual for fixing problems in the ULT 2003

Reading your post has encouraged me to find a screwdriver and have a go. At the weekend all I could get were "birds nests" of thread. I think the machine is really in need of a service. Here goes........................... Hugs Marg

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by pacmp 01 Dec 2014

So how did your trial at machine servicing go? Hopefully you had good results! Most I can do with my designer SE is open up the plastic panel next to the bobbin area that occasionally will get threads in that compartment that will cause every attempt to embroider anything to be a complete failure. So proud of you for even attempting a repair!

by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

and did you succeed ?

by mranderson 01 Dec 2014

Took off a couple of bits and had a look. I think the problem is the same as yours. Threads in the tension assembly. Could not get that screw off. Have asked hubby to give me a hand when he is not so busy. We are baling sugarcane tops at the moment and there is a problem with the baler. Then I will be needed to pick up the bales. Hugs Marg

good for you. What make is your machine? I have a special screwdriver to take the cover off the bit where the light is, but not sure how to take anything else off. Would like to know how as I live many hours from the tech shop.

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by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

I have a brother Innovis, and it can be opened with normal screwdriver. and it is out of plastic cover

Congratulations on sorting out your machine. Its a great feeling when you have achieved the sort out and it WORKS

oh I'm glad you solved the problem. And like the others said, with the metallic thread it's always a risk, and most machines have different speed options to embroider. Definitely use the lowest speed with metallic. Good for you, you managed it !!

I have been that desperate before. It is scary but when you really need to sew you must do something! I hope it behaves for you now. Take it in for a good service/cleaning after you are finished sewing for the holidays.

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by zoefzoef 01 Dec 2014

yes I will

wow GOOD FOR YOU! I am glad that you were able to figure it out. I have to slow my machine down in order to use Metalics & only certain brands work in my tempermental machine lol ~Hugs~

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by zoefzoef 30 Nov 2014

I have the impression that I can only slow it down with normal sewing, to me it sews as fast as otherwise when I 'm doing desings. i do not notice a slower speed

by rescuer 30 Nov 2014

You must adjust the speed in the touch screen. Find your manual and search for the way to do it.

You are braver than I would be.

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by zoefzoef 30 Nov 2014

Thakns, but I felt I had no other option then to try somthing, anything,.. Can, t miss it no when I still need to sew so many gifts