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Member since 7/9/11
Posts: 2
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Posted on: 7/9/11 12:04 PM ET
Hi all!
I have a Brother NX400 machine. I, however think that all home machine walking feet are pretty similar.

I have used this foot pretty conistantly for over a year now with no problems, but would have done several 100 hours sewing with it.

it has started to, (and increasing in frequency) loose its grip on the fabric or just not clamp down on it; hence the fabrics shift around and I'm not sewing a straight line, as i'm guiding. It will then sew a couple of short stitches, because it is not feeding the material through.

So far I have:
restarted machine
reattached walking foot
changed needle
cleaned the machine inside
tried chaning the foot pressure
putting the feed dogs down then back up.

also i've been using the same bobbin, bobbin threads, upper thread, tension settings, materials, type of needles etc

I cannot figure out what is wrong... obviously i probably need to take it to the repair shop, but if this is a problems with a lose screw i would rather not. Or is it the waking foot and should i just buy a new one??

Thanking everyone a million times over,
Amanda
  
Member since 10/27/10
Posts: 5869
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Posted on: 7/9/11 12:13 PM ET
Does it need cleaning or oil?
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🌸 Plenty of machines, mostly Berninas 🌸
  
Member since 12/10/05
Posts: 1221
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Posted on: 7/9/11 6:44 PM ET
Looks like all the things you've tried relate to the machine, rather than the walking foot. But it sounds like the problem is in the foot, not the machine. Are the little gripping bits actually moving the way they are supposed to? If not, are they sticking on something you can see, or is the problem inside the casing where you can't see the mechanism?

The foot might need something tightened in it, or it might be worn out and need replacing. but the problem isn't with your machine.
  
Member since 12/13/08
Posts: 24904
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Posted on: 7/9/11 8:20 PM ET
Are the feed dog thingies on the foot plastic? I'm wondering if their tread has worn down, like old tires, which is why they're losing their grip. Hundreds of hours seems like a lot of mileage to put on a foot!

Also... my walking foot (Viking) was missing the longer screw it was supposed to come with, so I mount it with the regular foot screw which works but isn't *quite* long enough... I keep thinking it's going to come loose or wobble or something... I wonder if changing your screw might help.

And check all the walking foot's moving parts--you might have some lint gummed up in there that's keeping it from doing its thing properly.

ETA: I found a discussion board thread from a quilting site that might be helpful. One of the posters mentions a little spring inside the foot that can wear out.
-- Edited on 7/9/11 8:24 PM --
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
  
Member since 7/9/11
Posts: 2
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Posted on: 7/12/11 11:47 AM ET
thank you all for your speedy repsonses.
I took the foot apart and oil and cleaned it and it seemed to be working well... but only lasted a short time.

I bought a new foot and all is well now. Thank you for your help- from it i was able to gather that the machine didn't need to go in for an expensive check up!!

A xx
  
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