The Sewing Place

Machine Talk => Sewing Machines => Topic started by: Iminei on April 01, 2021, 18:51:16 PM

Title: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Iminei on April 01, 2021, 18:51:16 PM
The other day, as I lifted the lid to The Splurgess I watched, with some horror, as an open curved safety pin slid into my machine !!!

The incriminating item ...

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Where it entered the machine

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Now theres a sort of noise when I sew and Im hoping theres an easy way to get rid of the SP ...

Its a Janome Atelier 7 ....

Any help please???
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Efemera on April 01, 2021, 20:42:51 PM
Can you unscrew the cover and have a look inside?
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Mr Twingo on April 01, 2021, 20:45:21 PM
So, the safety pin is still in there? What type of noise is the machine making?
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Iminei on April 01, 2021, 21:35:12 PM
Can you unscrew the cover and have a look inside

Thats what Im hoping you can take me through .. How to remove the side by the wheel thingy...
Yes its still there and the noise sounds like a safety pin against the wheel thingy ?? I dont know

But I do know its different to how it normally sounds and I really cant afford £75 for an engineer to look at it.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Mr Twingo on April 01, 2021, 23:22:28 PM
Have a look on the bottom of the machine. I'm pretty sure there is a way to access the innards from down under.

Also, look at the diagram at the bottom of page 3 of the user guide. The unmarked circles are where there are screws; they are most likely covered with plastic caps that are easily removed using a small flat-head screw driver. If there is no access from beneath, then try removing the panel where the hand wheel is. As a last resort, the rear panel may need to be removed.

Undoubtedly, there will be awkward clips holding everything together. Gentle prising with an old credit card may help with levering the panels apart.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Esme866 on April 02, 2021, 06:13:12 AM
I have a much older, simpler Janome.

#1 - I would not run the machine for any reason until the pin is removed. All kinds of expensive goodies in that end could get screwed up under there, making that £75 look like a bargain.

I needed to grease my gears and my manual gave zero instructions for getting into that end of the machine. I got a couple of pieces of paper and just started removing screws until all the necessary covers came off. I laid the screws on the paper with notes written under them to put things back.

Everything worked out fine. In your case, with just the top off, you may be able to use a magnet or a piece of stiff floral wire with the end forming a hook to reach in and remove the pin. Might even be able to do so thru the slot it slipped into.

Good luck. Hopefully someone else will have more specific info.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Iminei on April 02, 2021, 09:23:14 AM
Thx for your replies folks ... @Esme866  I dare not use a magnet as its a computerised machine!

I will see if I can muster up the minerals (and the necessary screwdrivers) to have a look this weekend ..

Any other advice???

Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Efemera on April 02, 2021, 09:24:34 AM
Take pictures before and as you are taking it  apart...
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Lilian on April 02, 2021, 10:04:40 AM
@Iminei do you have a pair of forces, they might help retrieve the culprit.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Iminei on April 02, 2021, 10:10:43 AM
The gap isnt that wide @Lilian
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Mr Twingo on April 02, 2021, 10:12:08 AM
Any other advice???

In addition to photos, keep a note of where each screw came from. I sketch the object I'm working on, and stick the screws to the diagram using Blue Tack. It makes reassembly much easier.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on April 02, 2021, 11:15:10 AM
Just me that's itching to dive in there with my screwdriver?  Wish I lived closer!
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: coffeeandcake on April 02, 2021, 11:33:54 AM
That's exactly what I would do @Bodgeitandscarper.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: BrendaP on April 02, 2021, 12:46:23 PM
Just take out the necessary screws to see inside. 

So long as you don't fiddle with any of the workings removing the cover won't do any harm, and it's very likely that teh offending pin will be easiy retrievable.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Lilian on April 02, 2021, 15:59:28 PM
I wouldn't hesitate to unscrew that top section and dive in with forceps   :)
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Iminei on April 02, 2021, 16:18:41 PM

Good News!!!

When I started sewing with The Splurgess this afternoon (yes , I know  Esme but I had to) She was back to her normal smooth purr!

This may well be that after play yesterday, I took off the accessories box and gave her a good shake ... I think it must have dislodged the pin.

I will however try and gain access by taking the bottom off the machine (If I can) and see what falls out!


Thank you for all you help xxx
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Iminei on April 05, 2021, 17:57:03 PM
Today after an intensive Blockathon I decided before putting the machine to bed to give her a lil clean in the bobbin area ... That was soon done as its not been long since last time and there was lil fluff to collect.

Just before I put her away I thought I would look and see how difficult it would be to remove the base plate.

There was nothing easier .... 4 Philips screws and off it came ...

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The white plastic base plate was a bit grubby but nothing a quick wipe down didnt quickly sort ... I then righted her and when I tipped her over again, lying there on the table was an open safety pin!

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R E S U L T !!!


Thanks for all your help, advice and encouragement! xxx
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Kitten on April 05, 2021, 17:59:17 PM
Glad it didn't need an expensive repair for you @Iminei
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Lilian on April 05, 2021, 18:00:39 PM
That was a job well done. I think the safety pin knew it should get out of the way  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Ellabella on April 05, 2021, 19:52:29 PM
You will sleep better tonight @Iminei
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: BrendaP on April 05, 2021, 20:09:37 PM
Some jobs are really that easy. 0_0
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Sara-S on April 05, 2021, 22:15:53 PM
Thx for your replies folks ... @Esme866  I dare not use a magnet as its a computerised machine!

I will see if I can muster up the minerals (and the necessary screwdrivers) to have a look this weekend ..

Any other advice???

Don’t be afraid to use a household magnet.  They are nowhere near strong enough to affect the computerized parts of your machine. Powerful industrial magnets could, but not regular household ones.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: charley on April 06, 2021, 21:34:51 PM
Thank you for showing that the bottom of the machine comes so easily @Iminei . I have that Janome too, retirement present to myself 6 years ago.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on April 07, 2021, 09:31:36 AM
Excellent!  I thought it would be easy :)
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Iminei on April 07, 2021, 09:35:34 AM
@charley  there even a doodad that you can pop off on the plastic under plate so ... I suppose ... you can just shake whatever out ?????

But it was sooooo simple and as long as I didnt touch anything ??!!!

@Sara-S  ... the nly magnets I have are fridge magnets and also those wickedly strong lil  whatsits that I use for my butterflies, I suspect they could do a lot of damage by the force thats needed to break them apart!
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Celia on April 07, 2021, 10:06:44 AM
Really glad to hear your machine is happy and healthy again.  Don’t worry about magnets the modern machines are not affected by them, if you look at Husqvarna machines they have metal hoops for doing embroidery and the fabric is kept in place my very strong magnets. I am there are other  makes of machines have similar hoops too.
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Ohsewsimple on April 07, 2021, 11:52:56 AM
Really glad to hear your machine is happy and healthy again.  Don’t worry about magnets the modern machines are not affected by them, if you look at Husqvarna machines they have metal hoops for doing embroidery and the fabric is kept in place my very strong magnets. I am there are other  makes of machines have similar hoops too.

Yes I have a real problem taking the magnets  off the frame!    :laughing:
Title: Re: Errrrmmm Technical Chaps ... Is this Possible ??
Post by: Celia on April 07, 2021, 14:19:42 PM
Me too @Ohsewsimple