Serger makes noise but doesn't work.

13 years ago

Brand new Singer serger, right out of the box. It sounds like the motor is whining, and none of the parts move at all. (Meaning, I think, that it's not jammed, as you would see the needles trying to work in that case.) The manual is skimpy and completely unhelpful, as is the Singer website.

Either there is a problem with the motor, or there is some kind of issue between the motor and the serging parts. I do not know what this serger is supposed to sound like, so I don't know if the whining noise is the normal motor sound.

I made a mistake by not buying this from a Singer dealer!

Many thanks.

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Comments (4)

sheesh
13 years ago
I have no idea what it could be. Even unthreaded the parts on my ancient Singer move. Is there some kind of locking device somewhere to prevent movement during shipping? Sounds like a simple little problem that just needs to be discovered.

Two weeks ago our 'fridge made a popping sound and stopped working. We set out to buy a new fridge, but before we left I switched the load of laundry from washer to dryer. Neither of them worked, either! I checked the breaker box, none was out of line, so fearing the worst we had to call an electrician on a Saturday night. $150 dollars later, after he'd taken off the breaker box and pronounced himself stumped, we were standing in the kitchen when he noticed that the little button on the outlet the 'fridge was plugged into was popped out. He popped it back in and the 'fridge and everything else started.

I hope you have a simple solution like that to your problem. It would break my heart to do without my serger ~ I think I'd rather live without the 'fridge!
gram999
13 years ago
It sounds like you need to get your money back.

My only experience with a Singer serger is when I bought one for my DIL. That was 18 yrs. ago & it was $600 - $700. I'm very experienced in adjusting the stitches, & I couldn't get it to serge right.

I have a Bernina & love it. If I had to replace it, I would probably buy a Baby Lock with the cover stitch. The Bernina is expensive, the parts are expensive, especially their presser feet. I just had to replace my throat plate & it was $108. The cording foot was $38.

I have a Janome 6600 sewing machine & bought a throat plate with an accu-feed 1/4" foot for $50.
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I operated an overlock machine in a factory setting for several years. In addition to several other "multi-needles" (the generic term for the many machines that employ loopers in place of bobbins). I can rethread my machine (5 thread overlock, Willcox&Gibbs) in under a minute when I use it regularly and just under 3 when I'm out of practice. What's up with the threading ORDER? in all the years I've operated overlocks I've NEVER read anything so foolish! If the machine is properly timed and the tensions properly adjusted it shouldn't matter in what order you THREAD THE THING; once the machine begins the stitch cycle the only thing that matters is that it's been threaded properly and the tensions are in correct adjustment. Once you learn how to "time" a machine you become irritated by wivestales like that; they do little save breed fear, insecurity, and indigestion in owners. Trust me. I THINK there is most likely a tension issue. When I suspect this I immediately back ALL THE TENSIONS off and then begin the rather tedious task of patiently bringing them all into proper adjustment. You may have a burred needle. A burred needle will be "retarded" in its scheduled stitch cycle and it may actually fray the thread of the looper that passes by it in the stitch cycle. The fraying may occur over many repeated cycles, so changing out a needle is a good first step. My guess, though, is a tension issue. This was the number one cause of "down time" in the line. Don't be cowed by the manual. You need to sit down and fiddle around with the tensions; until you're willing to GO FOR IT, you will never master your machine and forever be a slave to it. Take an antacid, change the needle, and start screwing around with the tensions. Really.
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murphy_zone7
13 years ago
I agree with gram999. Go get your money back. If you have problems right out of the box....what will happen later. In my humble opinion and experience, Singer is not the company nor product it used to be. I too bought a Singer a couple of years ago when I wondered if I would enjoy sewing after not doing so for over 30 years and the machine was a disaster. Never could get it to work properly, no manual to speak of and you are right the website offers very little. I still have the darn thing, it is so bad a machine that I don't want to sell it or give it to any unsuspecting soul to endure what I did so It just sits in the closet.
I kept it too long to return and really wish I had taken it back when I had the chance,
Life is too short and there are too many projects to put up with a bad machine.
Good luck
Murphy
kathi_mdgd
13 years ago
Take it back and get your money back,then go to a machine dealer and get what you can afford.They usually come with lessons,and the dealer is available if you need help.Steer clear of Singer,it's not what it used to be!!! JMO
kathi

Serger makes noise but doesn't work.

Comments (4)

sheesh

gram999

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murphy_zone7

kathi_mdgd

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