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Posted on: 10/11/10 1:11 AM ET
I found a local ad for a cheap serger but she says there is no manual for it and it's not set up. I have no idea how to thread a serger, and I dont have any thread to bring with me so I was wondering if there is anyway to test and see if a serger is working without thread?
If i just run it and see if the motor works is that good enough?
its a Janome my lock 534d, said to have been in storage for 2 years
If i just run it and see if the motor works is that good enough?
its a Janome my lock 534d, said to have been in storage for 2 years
Posted on: 10/11/10 1:40 AM ET
I would be wanting to test it with thread if it were me. Can you not take along say Gutermann or other brand sewing thread, and use that to test? Thread is not expensive to buy and the last thing you want to do is buy a machine without being able to properly assess its stitching and then be stuck with a expensive to fix machine or one that doesn't work at all or is damaged. You don't need large cones to test it with, you can use small spools easily. If the owner can not tell you how to thread the machine I would be wary if they are the owner who sews, who is parting with the machine- why are they parting with it? You can use different coloured threads even so long as you have three and four spools of the same type and weight of thread. If you load up different colours that is actually useful as you can see where the stitchiing is sitting, if the stitches aren't sitting well or where they should.
Just running the machine without thread will not tell you how nicely the machine can form stitches, it will only tell you if the engine drives the needle up and down, if it infact runs and if it works smoothly or is noisy or sluggish to operate.
If I were you I wouldn't be happy to just see the motor running, I would want to see if the machine can actually trim fabric cleanly (tells you the blade is undamaged and sharp), how the machine handles fabric of different weights, and whether any parts are out of whack (stitches can refuse to properly form even with adjusting for different tension settings).
Its abit like trying to test a machine for sewing, just because the needle goes up and down doesn't mean it is in working and sound condition. Test with thread and with your eyes and ears well open. If you have got access to a serging book or can borrow a library book, you can tell how the stitches look when sewing properly if you are inexperienced -particularly as you said there is no manual for it. Compare how it sews to the pictures.
Also, read the reviews on that model and see what others say about it- see if there are any problems you need to know about this. Ask your local dealership their opinion of that model.
Dig around the internet and see if you can find out what accessories should be included, if you find out it is missing many of them it gives you a bargaining position to get a better deal if the machine sews in a way you are happy with.
Can you find someone who knows more about overlockers and arrange for them to come with you and help you test it out, so that you can ask them questions and benefit from their more advanced knowledge? They may spot potential problems with the overlocker that you might miss.
Goodluck and let us know how you get on.
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Just running the machine without thread will not tell you how nicely the machine can form stitches, it will only tell you if the engine drives the needle up and down, if it infact runs and if it works smoothly or is noisy or sluggish to operate.
If I were you I wouldn't be happy to just see the motor running, I would want to see if the machine can actually trim fabric cleanly (tells you the blade is undamaged and sharp), how the machine handles fabric of different weights, and whether any parts are out of whack (stitches can refuse to properly form even with adjusting for different tension settings).
Its abit like trying to test a machine for sewing, just because the needle goes up and down doesn't mean it is in working and sound condition. Test with thread and with your eyes and ears well open. If you have got access to a serging book or can borrow a library book, you can tell how the stitches look when sewing properly if you are inexperienced -particularly as you said there is no manual for it. Compare how it sews to the pictures.
Also, read the reviews on that model and see what others say about it- see if there are any problems you need to know about this. Ask your local dealership their opinion of that model.
Dig around the internet and see if you can find out what accessories should be included, if you find out it is missing many of them it gives you a bargaining position to get a better deal if the machine sews in a way you are happy with.
Can you find someone who knows more about overlockers and arrange for them to come with you and help you test it out, so that you can ask them questions and benefit from their more advanced knowledge? They may spot potential problems with the overlocker that you might miss.
Goodluck and let us know how you get on.
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Keep calm and sew all the pretty fabrics!
Posted on: 10/11/10 12:25 PM ET
Thanks for the tips!
I will call her and ask if she has thread and can thread the machine. If not I may not bother - its a long drive and I have no threading skills...or thread!
I will call her and ask if she has thread and can thread the machine. If not I may not bother - its a long drive and I have no threading skills...or thread!
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