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Maintaining Your Chainstitch McKay
by
Steve Mueller |
In order for the machine
operators to have successful results, they must take
care of their machines daily. Students, novices and even
some old timers ask the usual questions. They ask how to
make an adjustment, while most of them have not mastered
the important steps in everyday care of their machinery.
Ignoring the basic steps
while trying to master what should be left to qualified
technicians causes a major percentage of the everyday
problems. Usually, an adjustment or two by an untrained
person only adds to these frustrations. Once the
operators have learned their roles on each machine, they
will better understand when a visit from a qualified
technician is necessary.
In this article, I will
explain the appropriate care of a chainstitch McKay and
the operator's role when working with this machine.
First, it does not matter what brand of chainstitch
McKay you own as these rules should apply to all of
them.
Let's begin with the
thread. Use a high quality flax thread. Flax thread is
easier on your machine's running parts. Synthetic
threads tend to be harsh on the machine parts they
touch. The money you save by using synthetic threads is
lost to the undue wear they cause on machine parts.
Remember to use a right
twist thread in your chainstitch McKay. This is
important because of the direction the whirl turns. The
whirl's turning action will tighten the strands of a
right twist thread, making them tight as they wrap
around the barb of the needle.
You must also understand
the importance of the right type and size of needle in
your machine. Use only the type of needle the
manufacturer specifies. Also, make sure your finder is
sending you the type and size of needle you are
ordering.
The different brands of
chainstitch McKays may use different types of needles.
The basic difference between them is the size of the
shank (the part you place into the needle bar). If you
use the wrong needle in your machine, you may collapse
the hole in the needle bar when tightening the needle
clamp. This can cause hindrance in changing needles. It
can also cause the needle to tighten at an angle rather
than straight.
The most common concern is
that the wrong needle can keep the cast-off from moving
freely up and down during the stitch. This causes
numerous problems. Also, be sure to use the right size
needle for the size thread you are using. A needle that
is too large for the thread will leave holes in your
work not filled by thread. A needle that is too small
will cause the thread to fray during stitching.
Unlike the curved needle
stitcher, it is important not to use wax in your
chainstich McKay. Wax builds up and dries in the whirl
and pinion mechanism, causing your machine to jump time.
If this happens, clean the wax from all the working
parts and replace wax with thread lubricator #85. I
suggest mixing a little oil with the thread lubricator
as this will further lubricate your machine as the
thread passes through. Your next step is to read your
owners manual on the proper timing of your machine. If
your machine still jumps after taking these precautions,
contact a qualified technician to replace worn parts and
adjust your machine properly.
Always channel all work
before sewing it on your chainstitch McKay. Channeling
is important because it makes the job more effective and
you will enjoy many more satisfied customers.
Another important step is
to learn the proper way to hold your work as you are
sewing on your chainstitch McKay. If you will notice,
the presserfoot is designed to hold down the right side
of your work. It is your duty to hold town the left. It
only takes a little bit of pressure. Disregarding this
important step can cause needle breakage and missed
stitches. It may also cause the cast-off to hold on to
the same loop for more than one stitch.
And last but not least is
the proper cleaning and oiling of your chainstitch
McKay. Oiling is the best preventative maintenance and
can defer rapid, undue wear of machine parts.
Cleaning should be done
only with an oil-based cleaning substance. Substances
without an oil base will dry moving parts and, if not
oiled properly afterwards, will cause immediate undue
wear and possible breakdown. Oil all moving parts with a
high quality machine oil at least once a week. Oil the
whirl and pinion mechanism, cast-off and needle bar
daily.
If you are still having
problems after following these procedures, it's time for
a qualified technician to go over your machine properly. |
