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Elna 945 serger problem ! If you have one take note - this is expensive to repair!
PhyllisC Advanced MA USA Member since 8/2/02 Posts: 2004	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/18/05 9:06 AM I’ve had my Elna 945 serger for about 5 years and have been very satisfied with it, so hopefully this problem is unique to my machine. But I thought I’d post a thread as a warning. Here’s what happened: Elna 945 needles sit in part that tilts forward, which makes changing needles and thread really easy. Last week the post holding the needles *broke off* completely as I was threading the serger. I don’t have very strong hands (quite the opposite actually) so it was a strange thing to have this part break off in my hand. This will be a $250 repair because the dealer needs to open up the entire front of the machine to remove the remaining post and install a new one. Fortunately the new part is under warranty, but the unfortunately the warranty doesn’t include labor costs. Phyllis ------ Sewing = Fashion http://coudremode.com/ Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
crankyoldlady Intermediate Member since 11/14/08 Posts: 137	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/21/09 6:39 PM This is a common and well known weakness of the Elna sergers. I knew this when I purchased my 945 but I decided to risk it. I will admit that I do not use the tilt forward feature. I place a small mirror under the needle bar and have no trouble setting the needles. Maybe I am deluding myself, but I am hoping if I don't use it perhaps it won't break. Sorry this happened to you. The 945 is a wonderful machine.
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 4/22/04 Posts: 7279	Login to reply to this post In reply to PhyllisC Like this post Date: 7/21/09 7:23 PM I have only seen 2 posts in several years where the Elna 945 had a problem with the tilt needle bar and they were not as expensive to repair. I think somebody got a repair for $70. The $250 cost of labor seems really high if the part is under warranty. The entire front of my serger does open up and I thought the 945 did also. I have an Elna 744 and I do use the tilt needle bar constantly but am really careful to first move the flywheel so that the triangle marks are aligned before titling the clamp and also making sure that the upper looper is out out of the way of the needles before I swing the clamp safety lever to the right and press the release button while tilting the clamp. I often wondered if not doing any of these steps would cause breakage if somebody was not familiar with the process but being that you had your serger also for a number of years I am sure you were. I know on occasion I sometimes forget the safety lever and if I had strong hands I might have broken the clamp by just tilting it but my hands are not strong either. If you decide to not use the tilt needle feature once you have your serger repaired you might want to get a pair of kelly clamps or hemostats to insert the neendles. I use hemostats for my other brand serger needle insertion but it only has 2 needle postions where my Elna 744 has 5 needle postions. My serger is only a 4 thread so I don't know if the 945 being a 5 thread has the same needle postions. My 744 has 2 postions in back for overlock stitches and the 3 positions in front are for the 3 different coverhems and chain stitch. I hope to learn that your serger is up and running again soon.
annsew65 Advanced WV USA Member since 4/9/02 Posts: 808	Login to reply to this post In reply to PhyllisC Like this post Date: 7/22/09 6:41 AM Phyllis, I have the 925 and have heard of others who have had this to happen. Back when I first heard about the problem, I looked at mine to see if I could find something that might help keep it from happening. I noted that the area where the piece pivots is a metal against metal area and I started putting a drop of oil on each side every time I oil my machine. To date, I haven't had the problem. I have no idea if this helps any, but it hasn't hurt anything either. I don't have a local dealer. No one in my area sold Elna at the time (maybe they still don't - I haven't checked recently)so I purchased mine from Allbrands when Elna was coming out with the 945 and they were trying to get rid of their stock of 925s. I had heard such good things about the Elna from the old Sewing World forum and was determined to get one. I even made a trip to Radford, VA to try one out, but they didn't have one in stock and were waiting for the 945 to arrive. When I got home, I must have heard about Allbrands having them for sale from somewhere, so I quickly got out the credit card and placed my order! I've never been sorry, but if it ever does need service, I'll probably send it to the dealer where I purchased my Janome 11000 in Pocono, PA - they also sell Elna and have been a wonderful dealership to deal with - even though there are a lot of miles away. We made a trip to Pocono since I couldn't find anyone here in WV selling the 11000 either!!! Living in the mountains of WV is wonderful - until you start trying to buy specialty things and you quickly find out no one here sells them! ------ Sewing in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia Sewing Room Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/annsew65/MySewingRoom#
donnaleeroberts Beginner Member since 12/29/11 Posts: 6	Login to reply to this post In reply to PhyllisC << Like this post Date: 5/6/12 11:30 AM UGH! This just happened to me too! I recently bought a used Elna 945 and was threading it for the first time when the needle clamp mechanism just snapped right off. In searching the web, I see that this is a fairly common problem with this model. I think I have finally found a replacement part via the internet. I am located at a US military base overseas, so I cannot take it to a dealer for repairs. Now my prblem is getting the remaing part of the broken assembly out of the machine, There is a small screw on the back of the part that moves the needle assembly down, but I am having a hard time unscrewing this. There is another long piece in the way and the screw is VERY tight. I have a small screwdriver that fits, but I have not been able to make a lot of progress. If I can get this screw out I hope the rest of the broken needle clamp assembly will come out. UGH UGH UGH
Marley Skye Member since 10/26/12 Posts: 1	Login to reply to this post In reply to donnaleeroberts << Like this post Date: 11/20/12 0:33 AM This also happened with a used 945 Serger I gave to my son. I was able to get a service manual and from what I could see in the diagram, the screw you are trying to loosen may not be the right one. From the left side of the machine where a door swings out is access to an metric allen set screw that holds the part in place and also allows for alignment of the needle height above the sewing surface when the needles are fully up. Since I don't have the broken machine on hand I can't prove myself correct. My Elna 925 is working fine so I don't want to experiment on it. But if my son soon tries the fix I will update you on this.
maide   Intermediate MN USA Member since 2/27/09 Posts: 378	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/20/12 7:59 AM This also happened to my 925. The repair cost was about $120 at my local Creative Sewing Center when I lived in MN. Now I NEVER lift the needles to thread.
donnaleeroberts Beginner Member since 12/29/11 Posts: 6	Login to reply to this post In reply to Marley Skye << Like this post Date: 11/30/12 10:35 AM Thank you so much for this info! The whole incident discouraged me so much that I put the serger away on the shelf and have not worked the issue since. Armed with this new info I am encouraged and will be working with it this weekend. I can't wait to get it operational! I apprecate your help.

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