The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Overlockers & Coverstitchers => Topic started by: annieeg on August 22, 2021, 12:57:36 PM
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I have a Babylock Evolve BLE8W which is struggling with the jet air threading. I'm thinking of buying a replacement.
Does anyone know what model of Babylock would be compatible with all the accessories/extra feet of the BLE8W?
(I have loads of accessories/extras which I don't really want to write off if possible.)
TIA, Annie
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Have you flossed your tubes @annieeg ? When I used my Evolve it got a bit fussy unless I passed a wire through it occasionally.
Unless of course you are wanting an excuse for a new toy ;)
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Yes the feet will fit all of the machines that have cover stitch on them, for example the Evolution, Gloria etc some of the other accessories are a bit different some only fit the standard size not the extra large machines. If you have anything specific let me know and I will try to help.
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@Celia @Ellabella
Thanks for your reply.
Here follows a confession... :| I tried to poke a thin wire through the thread home which got stuck :scream:
I then unscrewed the two tiny screws o the panel which I should NOT have done.
I think this has damaged the white selection switch for upper lower chain stitch threading options. The screws don't connect with anything when I try to screw them back in :scream:
Have I damaged the machine beyond repair?
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Probably not Babylocks are very robust and can usually be repaired but you probably need to take it to a dealer to reassemble it, it is probably worth it as they are still great machines and a new equivalent is going to cost £……..lots.
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Well if you couldn’t push a wire through that explains your air threading problem.
As long as you have all the bits taking it to a mechanic will be worth it. Babylocks especially older ones are built to last and a service and repair will be peanuts compared to a new machine.
For future use, when changing thread always pull out towards the needles and loopers. Never pull thread back the way it has come as you run the risk of pulling fluff balls into the tubes and this is what causes the air threading to become sluggish.
Floss the tubes occasionally and you should be able to keep them clear.
If you want to post a pic of the area you ‘tampered’ with I can get mine out and see if I can see where everything needs to be.
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[ You are not allowed to view attachments ] @ Ellabella
Attached are two pictures:
(1) the screw holes to the left and right of the threading ports are where I removed the screws.
The U L C slider to the right hand side now doesn't respond - i.e., its very loose (I have a feeling the screws were attached to that slider).
(2) the detached screws in question are shown in this picture (sorry its so blurred).
As an aside - I'm needing to buy a back-up overlocker while this one is out of action. I've seen a Janome 8002DG new for £229 on Frank Nutt's site, would that be a good buy do you think?
Annie x
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pictures - 2nd attempt [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
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I think you’re right @annieeg, when you took the screws out, the selector mechanism has dropped and the screws which hold it up can’t catch on to it, to relocate it.
If it were me I would be tempted to remove the base plate or rather ask DH to remove the base plate as I am married to a man who can mend just about anything.
With the base plate off it might be possible to push the selector mechanism into place so the screws can reach it to hold it in place.
Please don’t do this on my say so, only if you are confident with this sort of thing.
If you can get it back, give the air threader tubes a good flossing with wire, always pushing or pulling any debris towards the needles.
As long as you have the screws etc a service engineer shouldn’t have too much trouble getting things working again.
Let’s us know how you get on.
Can we please have a fingers crossed emoji?
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@Ellabella
I had the same idea to remove the base plate. I'll wait until I have quiet time and solitude and try that route.
I will most definitely let u know how I get on.
Very much appreciate your knowledge and support, and that of @Celia :grouphug:
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@annieeg its our pub quiz tonight, I’ll be having a G&T and thinking about you :D.
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Do be careful if I remember rightly with that machine there is a spring somewhere that can cause a problem, I did once have to replace the bellows on an evolve but it was a long time ago and not having one in front of me I can’t remember how the covers come off. Take photos as you go along
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I'm getting cold feet about trying to fix this myself so will take it to dealer for repair.
I'm the meantime does anyone have any suggestions for a reasonably priced back up overlocker?
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I think the Brother ones are the cheapest. Mine is ancient (730D circa 1989, and I think could have been made by Viking but I still love it) and of the newer ones I think the 2104d is comparable to mine. Mine is metal and heavier but I suppose that is the way of most machines now. They are around £220 I think.
It depends how much of a 'back up' you want it to be.......
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Update on this ... I've got to take the Babylock to a dealer in Tunbridge Wells which is a bit away from me, so I've decided to buy a Janome 8002DG for £199 delivered. I know its plastic and not in the same league of the Babylock but its not a huge purchase and will serve me as a back-up when the Babylock is up and running.
Its amazing how you miss an overlocker when you've been used to using one for so many years!
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@annieeg definitely not in the same league as the Babylock. But I’ve demonstrated these many times and it’s not a bad little machine for the money. Bit of a pain to thread but the stitch quality isn’t bad. And a back up is always useful. :)
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Too late now, but the Brother machines are very easy to thead, even the newer ones.
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Just in case you thought the saga might be over - there is another episode :| :|
There was an unexpected hitch over the purchase of the Janome so I bought - instead - a Jaguar 099.
Its got a simple threading system and I like the fact that the whole front can open out to aid threading the lower loopers.
I've tried it and it seems quite efficient so far.
Its more money (£320) than the Janome but hopefully worth it.
The babylock is in the repair shop and we'll see what the outcome is.
If all is well, I'm mulling over whether to put the babylock up for sale after the service/repair. I never use any of its fandangled facilities (e.g, the WAVE stitch) and maybe happier sticking with the more simple machine, as I don't do so much sewing nowadays. :ninja:
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@annieeg I have just bought a Jaguar 488 which has the same facility for the whole knife assembly part to swing open. Very easy threading it certainly is!
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I hope the new machine works out well for you I think you're right about not needing all the fancy bits. My overlocker is only 3 thread BUT had differential feed which no others had when I bought it. The 4 thread version was over £100 more (think back to 1989...) and I haven't regretted not having the 4th thread as I seam everything first anyway for fit.
I think @Greybird has just bought a Jaguar machine so perhaps you can swap notes!
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The Jaguars I’ve used have been nice machines.
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Update (sort of -<). My babylock is still in the repair shop - hopefully it will be ready next week.
In the meantime, it occurred to me to ask if its possible to manually thread an air-threaded overlocker, e.g., if the bellows are not working.
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Yes it is, it is best done with the special cleaning /threading wire that came with your machine, if you have lost it it might be worth asking your dealer for one.
I have only seen one machine with damaged bellows in about the last 10 years so it is not a common problem.
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I've just heard from the repair man who says he can't solve the problem so I'm going to collect the machine and try to hand thread it myself.
I do have the threading wire @Celia mentioned so I'll try that.
Otherwise, I'll try and sell it for spares/repair (I have all the packaging) so maybe I'll get some money back on it. :'(
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When you get the machine back @annieeg can you send me some photos of the problem, i find it hard to believe it cant be fixed, i assume he has been able to put back the bit you have unscrewed and its just the threading unit he is talking about, is the repair man a baby lock dealer?
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@Celia No - hes not a babylock dealer. He said he had replaced the spring under the sliding guide which I had unscrewed, so I had some faith that he knew what he was doing, but now I am not at all sure. This is why I'm going to get it to try and hand thread it myself. At this stage, I've got nothing to lose -< I'm very grateful for your input and I will try and send you pictures of the problem.
Thanks again.
Its a shame you don't live nearer to me otherwise I'd happily pay you to have a look at it for me. :)
Annie
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I am happy to do what I can.
I do wish we had some magic whereby we could all meet up, just think how many things we could all do together :loveit:
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I do wish we had some magic whereby we could all meet up, just think how many things we could all do together :loveit:
They were so quick to invent the swishing doors on the original Star Trek, and the communicators. But I'm still waiting eagerly for a matter transporter :thumbsup: I think 'The Fly' made too many people steer clear :laughing:
BB
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@Celia I've got the Babylock back and run the threading wire through both looper ports with no resistance so they can't be blocked. However, there's very little noise/resistance from the jet air pump so I think it might be a bellows problem.
However I did manage to thread the upper and lower loopers quite easily with that super magic threading wire :thumbsup:
BUT there is a problem with the stitching - see photo. I'm using 3 thread overlock - upper and lower loopers and the right hand needle. Its now giving me a loopy thread and I'm not sure if its the needle or one of the loopers. Do you know what the problem might be?
Thanks for your time and expertise! :) [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
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It looks like the needles to me, just check they are in correctly and try rethreading, also I know this sounds silly but make sure the presser foot is down properly. @annieeg let me know what happens
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@annieeg Rethread so all are different colours. You will soon see which one is at fault.
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I'd try it on 2 layers of something like cotton sheeting with different coloured thread. I keep some bits specially cut for this when things don't seem right.
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Hi again
I checked and it seems its the upper looper thread which is the problem. The machine does overlock, and cut, but the upper looper thread is really loose and I can pull it out from the stitching. The lower looper and needle stitching are secure. Not sure how to resolve this.... :(
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I do not have a Babylock overlocker but have you checked that there is nothing in the thread path particularly up near the tension area that is blocking the thread from going in its correct path a lump of fluff or something like that? Next if that is all clear why not try tightening up the tension dial - well it must have something that you can tighten or loosen if necessary, and then start at the lowest setting and gradually work up through until you get a good even stitch. Otherwise I suppose it is off to a dealer that deals with Babylock. It probably is just something very obvious, it is just spotting what is wrong and then putting it right. Good luck.
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I would floss the tension disks with some firmish fabric and check you are threading with the pressure foot up and sewing with it down.
I know the last bit sounds patronising but it’s so easy to miss as I know only too well.
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Thanks for the feedback. Somehow I think the subsidary looper is "engaged", when it shoudn't be (if I've understood the manual correctly). I can't see how to flip it back :(
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The baby lock Evolve does not have tension discs or in fact any tensions it works in a different way, having said that do check there is nothing caught that you can see, does the thread pull through easily when the foot is up and not when the foot is down, that is what is supposed to happen.
What settings do you have the machine on, maybe a picture of the machine might help. Just wish I could magic it here.
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Ok I cross posted with you, if that is the problem it is easy solved can you just snap a quick photo so I can check
@annieeg i have attached a picture that might help you
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Thanks @Celia. I'll send pic tomorrow morning.
(Can't quite see yr photo - do u have a link fr the manua
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Sorry can’t link as it’s in my own files, if you click on my photo it should be larger.
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@annieeg I think this a link to a PDF of the manual from which the photo@Celia posted seems to be taken. I think the details are on page 29.
https://babylock.com/resources/7612/download
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That is the manual, it is for a different machine but they have the same part, I will try to find a manual for the Evolve if you don’t have one @annieeg
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@Celia, @StitchinTime Thanks so much - again - for your support and help. I have managed to dis-engage the subsidiary looper but the stitching is still not right. I'm closing down now and will re-thread from the beginning tomorrow to see if I can get it running properly.
Another update to follow (if you're not all bored to death with this saga ... 8))
Annie x
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That’s fine @annieeg as I said a photo of the machine might help, it really is rare for these machines to go wrong
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@Celia
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@Celia
another picture:
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@Celia
another one ...
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Can’t quite see but make sure the needles are both put in correctly, if one is too low it can cause a problem. The lower looper thread looks as if it might not be quite seated down properly in the top threading unit but that might just be the photograph.
What sort of stitch are you getting now that you have sorted the subsidiary looper.
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@Celia
I took out the RH needle and realigned the LH needle and it works!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance:
Can't overstate how grateful I am to you and the others who have taken the trouble to help me with this.
Attached is a picture of the 3 thread overlock which looks absolutely great :thumbsup:
I have decided to put this up for sale on a spares/repairs basis as, even though it works, the bellows don't seem to be effective so the loopers have to be hand-threaded.
My dilemma now is to decide how much I should ask ... am I allowed to seek opinions from experienced users of overlock machines on which might be a fair price?
Thanks again.
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That is great, I can’t really give you an opinion on price but I will say even without the air threading they are great machines.
If anyone wants to get the bellows repaired as far as I know they are still available but please do use a baby lock dealer.