I have had this machine given to me and its in full working order complete with manuals and pattern books. I have briefly been on a machine knit course through university so I know all the basics, but I wanted to expand my knowledge and start making! I’ve followed the instructions to the dot in setting it up and at first it would do a quick cast on (right to left) and on the way back it would just miss the needles and not stitch. After searching the internet and asking friends they mentioned the sponge bar..It was completely flat! I got some draft excluder and changed it in hope it would work! Now its not picking up and stitches either way and its driving me insane! All the settings and dials are correct. I’ve checked the carriage brushes and wheels for wrapped thread and there isn’t any. I don’t know where to go next with it!? If anyone can help it would be amazing.
Thanks, Jade
Sorry to hear you are having problems. When you put the draught excluder on the bar did you tape round the ends to keep it in place? This is very important to stop it peeling off inside the machine. Now that you have this new sponge in place are the needles held down at the front of the machine or are they raised slightly? They should be held down by the sponge. (I find the brown draught excluder works best as it has a smooth finish and the white stuff is too dense.)
Next make sure the carriage is seated properly on the machine. Take off the sinker plate and remove the carriage. Then slide it on from one end making sure that the back slides under the lip at the back of the machine and the front slides under the lip at the front. You should not be able to lift the carriage at all unless you use the orange lever. You can check by bringing out a few needles and running the carriage over them with no yarn. You will be able to see if they are moving properly. Then fit the sinker plate making sure it seats properly on the lugs on the carriage.
When you have re-threaded the carriage bring out alternate needles and using a low tension number knit across and you should have a loop on every needle. Hang the cast on comb. Change the tension to one suitable for the yarn you are using and knit back. You should have alternate loops and stitches. You should be able to continue knitting.
I do hope you get your machine to work properly.
Kind regards
Sue.
Sorry to hear you are having problems. When you put the draught excluder on the bar did you tape round the ends to keep it in place? This is very important to stop it peeling off inside the machine. Now that you have this new sponge in place are the needles held down at the front of the machine or are they raised slightly? They should be held down by the sponge. (I find the brown draught excluder works best as it has a smooth finish and the white stuff is too dense.)
Next make sure the carriage is seated properly on the machine. Take off the sinker plate and remove the carriage. Then slide it on from one end making sure that the back slides under the lip at the back of the machine and the front slides under the lip at the front. You should not be able to lift the carriage at all unless you use the orange lever. You can check by bringing out a few needles and running the carriage over them with no yarn. You will be able to see if they are moving properly. Then fit the sinker plate making sure it seats properly on the lugs on the carriage.
When you have re-threaded the carriage bring out alternate needles and using a low tension number knit across and you should have a loop on every needle. Hang the cast on comb. Change the tension to one suitable for the yarn you are using and knit back. You should have alternate loops and stitches. You should be able to continue knitting.
I do hope you get your machine to work properly.
Kind regards
Sue.