Bernette Funlock Cover and Chain 0009DC

[lash]

Hi there!  Has anyone had any problems with this machine.  I am at my wits end.  I have done all the right things with this stupid machine that the book tells me to do and  I have had it serviced about 3 times but it constantly misses stitches and the lower looper comes undone.   
Would love somebody out there to give me some really good advice as I am about to throw the blinking thing out the window in a minute!

[marciae]

I don't have this machine - however, I used to have a computerized serger.  The most important thing - - make sure your thread gets into the tension discs right - and you have to thread in the order the machine says - making sure the thread is laying exactly where it should!  If I could I would just 'tie on' the new colored thread rather than re-thread.  But there were days nothing seemed to be right - but in the final end I didn't have the thread threaded in the proper order.  I did eventually pitch (actually traded) for a Babylock!!

[movinon]

As with any serger you do have to thread in the correct sequence and make sure the thread is well seated in tension.  I have not had this machine for some time but one thing I recall when I did is that there was one area of threading the looper where I couldn't see exactly what the manual was telling you to do or get it quite right - until I stood up and looked straight down at the machine while threading!!  When i sold it I alerted the buyer to this and put post its on those areas for her and she had no problem.
As for skipping stitches, as with any machine, this can come from having the wrong needles, having old/damaged needles (which you will not be able to see with the naked eye - sometimes the only way you know your needle was "worn out" is by using a new one and the problem's gone!), not having them inserted all the way into the needle shaft holder.  And use good quality thread.  Someone on another forum was having some serger issues, convinced her to try better thread and make sure needles were good, she replaced both and problems disappeared!

[judith]

I don't have this machine, but can tell you that, with previous machines, there was always one little threading guide that I missed, and it didn't show up well on the instructions. My advice would be to assume you've missed one, and start searching. I agree with the advice about wrong or dull needle.

I have a babylock imagine now - worth every penny because it threads so easily.

Something else that may help - I used to have a post it on my old serger noting "lower looper thread over upper looper thread" .

[lash]

Thanks to all that replied.  I have done everything that everyone is telling me and more!  I even put the special needles that are recommended (JLT 2) I think they are called.  Anyway.  Last night (one more time, I told myself!!) I spent about an hour fiddling about with it and Dah, dah it worked!! All I did was put the 100% polyester thread on the cones (I had the gutterman thread in there before) and it worked a treat.  So looks as though I will only be able to use one kind of thread which is a bit dumb.  I was told by the demonstrator lady at the shop not to put anything to hold the cotton in place (like those thread discs) as this will alter the tension and create more problems.  (This wasnt in the manual either!!).  If anyone who has the same machine as mine and has any other helpful hints please post. I have had this machine for about 3 or 4 years but I havent used it to its full potential and would love to find out what I can do with it!

[Misha]

I don't have this cover hem model but I do have a combo coverhem serger. I did give the 009 a test drive years ago when it was sold at my dealers. There were several things in the demo of the machine that was different from the one that I own now, one is the different way it threads and another is that the sales person had to start the machine in a extra separate piece of fabric first butted up against the fabric used in the project.
She also had a different way ro remove the fabric from the machine, by turning the handwheel, then she turned over the fabric and removed it to the back of the machine, where on my coverlock I can stitch off the fabric and use the needle tension release to clear the threads should they catch.

[lash]

This is very interesting as when I start up my machine on any fabric it seems to be very hard to start and then jolts forward with some speed.  When looking back at the stitching it bunches up and skips stitches.  Maybe I should try doing what your demo lady did and see if it makes a difference. 
Other than that I may trade it in for another one anybody got any recommendations on a good cover stitcher?  Maybe a good industrial type one?

[ejvc]

Maybe you could go to the dealer you bought it from and sign up for a class?  If some of the things you are having problems with could be solved by "know-how" it would be cheaper than taking it in.  Berninas on the whole do have good resale/trade-in value so that is something to think about.

[movinon]

I don't have this cover hem model but I do have a combo coverhem serger. I did give the 009 a test drive years ago when it was sold at my dealers. There were several things in the demo of the machine that was different from the one that I own now, one is the different way it threads and another is that the sales person had to start the machine in a extra separate piece of fabric first butted up against the fabric used in the project.
She also had a different way ro remove the fabric from the machine, by turning the handwheel, then she turned over the fabric and removed it to the back of the machine, where on my coverlock I can stitch off the fabric and use the needle tension release to clear the threads should they catch.

Not all coverhem machines can stitch off fabric.... the 009 couldn't nor have my Pfaffs, the stitching is ended the same way.  Babylock and Janome models can do that though so no need for turning the handwheel to hear the "clicks" then turning back to remove.

[lash]

I have booked a lesson for next week so hopefully I will find out what I am doing wrong and maybe  if there is a problem with my machine.  I have always used Berninas and think that they are wonderful on the whole.  Anyway watch this space and we will see what happens...

[Gigi Louis]

I never turn the wheel backwards to remove the work - I always hated that!  I lift the presser foot and use my tweezers to pull the needle threads from under the foot towards me.  Then I clip them off at about 2".  As you pull the work out, the needle threads are pulled to the back automatically by the looper.  All you have to do then is clip the looper thread.  This makes for a lot fewer problems when restarting.  Most coverstitch machines do not allow you to chain off.  It's really not that big a deal because most of the time you are sewing in a circle anyway and would not be chaining off.

I used to have two 009s.  They do work better when you use the special needles.  I think they were JLx1?  Coverstitch machines also have to be in perfect time to work well. 

[lash]

Thank you Gigi for that info! That sounds a better way of doing it than turning the wheel backwards.

Well I went for my lesson yesterday!  and Bingo!! all has been resolved!  The lady at the shop did a trial run and it was still skipping (you know what its like when you take something back to the shop and there is nothing wrong with it?) but this was still playing up.  Anyway she couldnt answer me either but another lady there came up with a bril solution.  She dropped the needle a fraction in the needle clamp and hey presto it worked beautifully!! I couldnt believe it I have had that machine for 4 years and have never really used it properly since day one and this lady solved the prob in about 2 secs!! So now I have another QUESTION!!!   

Does anyone out there know if I can buy generic attachments like binders, turn down thingys and belt loopers for this machine?? on Ebay perhaps?  It has the two holes on the side of the needle plate on the machine and I wondered if I could perhaps fit them on there.  The machine only has a couple of attachments but not the above.

Thanks again everyone for your help.

[Gigi Louis]

If you had to drop the needle that means the machine is a teeny bit out of time and needs to be adjusted.  As to attachments, I was never able to find any that fit the 009.  The attachment holes are in the wrong place which is really aggravating.  In fact, that is why I sold mine and went with industrials.  I really need binders and folders.  Okay, maybe need is an exaggeration...

There are companies around who will make custom attachments so you may want to look into that.

[lash]

O thats interesting about it being out of time.  I may have to ring them about that.  I had it serviced about 2 years ago and that was the last time I used it maybe they didnt check the timing.  I will ring them in a min. 

Thanks for the info about the binder attachment do das I will have to look into that as well.  Would you have to drill a couple of more holes on the side of the machine or something so that you can fit the attachment then?   

[Gigi Louis]

Checking the timing should be part of routine maintenance but after two years it could certainly be off a bit.   I found the 009 to be pretty sensitive in that area.

You can't tap a hole into plastic so that's not an option.  I vaguely remember someone using that sticky putty to attach a binder but I never tried that.  It frustrated me that there were attachment holes on the bed of the machine but Bernina never sold any for it and commercial attachments wouldn't work.  If you are handy with a soldiering gun perhaps you could make some sort of special bracket that would fit the machine.

[fzxdoc]

Lash, there is a 400+ page discussion about Janome CoverPro machines on Patternreview. On the very first page of that huge topic are links to posts which discuss generic binders: where to buy them and how to attach them to machines that do not have holes in the right places for them.  You will be amazed at the ingenious solutions.

Here is the link to that famous page 1

Patternreview topic on Janome CoverPro

Even though you don't have the Janome, I think the solutions for using the generic binders would translate just fine to your Bernette.

I use the generic binders with my Janome CoverPro and found the info on that topic to be invaluable. I bought the binders from an eBay vendor that specializes in carrying them all the time and selling them in the Buy It Now format. That vendor is in one of the links on that PR page 1, I think.

Also, if you have not already found it, you must see Debbie Cook's wonderful tutorials on coverhem machines. Here's the link.

Debbie Cook's Coverhem Tutorial

HTH,
Kathryn

[NotKateHepburn]

I have this machine and have had no problems at all with it. I use any thread, any needle.

Ending the threads like Gigi, I learned from Debbie's site, saved me a lot of headaches, though I do turn the wheel to release the thread. Tension was the hardest for me to learn but writing down settings helped a bunch in that department.

I'm going to look into how to attach generic binders, thanks for that link!

The only trick I know is to have the work turned facing you to measure where the free edge is, mark that spot with a post it on the bed, then turn the work with right side facing, butt up against the post it, and hem.

[lash]

 ;DFantastic info from Pattern Review.  I think I may be able to make something to fit my machine but will try with a cardboard box first.  Last night I was having a play around with some bits of cardboard out of a box of tea bags (the separator bits of cardboard) and I managed to make up a kind of binder out if it.  It worked as well.  I  layed a piece of fabric inside the cardboard (I think it measured about 2" across) then folded both ends in and slid the cardboard against fabric to be binded.  Then I started sewing and as I went along slide the cardboard back. . .  Its a bit hard to explain by typing but when I work out how to post some pics I will show you its quite nifty although a bit slow.