Christyo Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 I inherited my machine when my mother In law passed. I have been practicing on cheater quilt fabric and I keep snappingt h thread and if it doesn't snap the thread it skips stitches. I'm so frustrated. I have changed needles time and time. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Any help appreciated. Christy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Christy, It sounds like you need to retime the machine. Use this video to help: http://www.apqs.com/instructional-videos/?vid=xWeqiuvwk5E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christyo Posted January 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Dawn, Thank you for your help. I am very nervous about doing this timing adjustment. I am so afraid of messing up my machine. I also do not have buffing cord. Is there anywhere I can buy this cord without having to wait for it to be shipped from apqs. I have several quilts made for customers and I have to get them quilted. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Christyo, timing seems daunting the first time, but once you've done it you'll realize it's not as bad as it seems - and you'll be able to pat yourself on the back for doing an awesome job at it! The directions APQS sends you are very thorough and take you step by step. You don't need to wait to get the sanding 'cord'. I picked up very fine emery cloth to use, and I also have used 600 grit sand paper (not as durable/long lasting but works well). I stopped at NAPA and got mine. You also had a question about adding stitch regulation to your machine. Yes, you can have the Intellistitch stitch regulation added. This is the company that also offers the Intelliquilter computerized system. Well known, well respected, excellent products. I have the I/S on my machine, and don't regret the investment one bit! Good luck with your new to you machine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamu Posted February 1, 2014 Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 Yes, I am sure you need to re-time your machine. I have an Ult11 and purchased it used from someone that inherited the machine. By the time I got the machine there were several BIG issues with it and I have a huge learning curve on getting it back into proper working order. However, you said you get skipped stitches and that is an indicator of a timing problem. Timing is not a bad scary thing and you do need to learn to do this as you will find that re-timing needs to be done when ever you hit a real thick intersecting seam, break a needle, jam your thread/needle. Also check your tension spring, I had to replace mine. You can not 'hurt' this machine, they are a fantastic little work horse model and if you do something wrong, then you will see it in your stitches and the sound of the machine. I use Magna bobbins as I just couldn't get nice stitches winding my own. Proper needle size with different threads is something to look at too. Christy, you didn't say what type of thread you are using. You might want to try some mineral oil or sewers aid on the thread to help IF it is shredding. I have found there are certain threads that my machine likes better than others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeke Posted February 1, 2014 Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 Also check your needle bar. You might need to replace the needle bar and bushing with skipping stitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christyo Posted February 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Laura, what thread does your ultimate II machine like ? Thank you for your help it is much appreciated. Thanks everyone. Christy o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammi357 Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 I have this machine. I just finished cleaning, checking for burrs, and re-timing the machine, because there was no fixing the burr it had without removing the hook assembly. (You may note that it's after midnight! lol!) Which I do not recommend...get a rest, THEN time the machine!) The videos are great: under product care on the home page, there's a dropdown menu that has instructional videos. (also on YouTube) Be sure to look at the page on how to check for burrs on the parts, the finger, the plate, hook, etc. The instructions on where to look for burrs are very clear, and I do notice with my machine, the thread breakage is usually a burr. Watch the video, learn the parts, then do it step by step. I know it's intimidating, but you can stop the video and refer back to it, there's a ton of information there. My dgf came to town to quilt her top, and had nothing but trouble, it kept breaking the bobbin thread. Brand new thread. Tensions look fine, and there weren't any noticeable skipped stitches, but that dang thread just keeps breaking. She was getting frustrated, so she went to dinner, and I attacked the machine. New needle, wound new bobbins, cleaned and oiled everything again, and will have to sew in the morning. Dear Hubby would NOT be a happy camper if I fired that puppy up at this time of the night! One thing that I do have that they don't mention is a nice set of tools. A set of hollow-ground screwdrivers in the sizes that will fit the machine are a necessity if you're going to take care of the machine yourself. Hollow-ground just means that the tool is made a little differently, they're a lot more 'precision' than a regular screwdriver and give a better 'bite' on the screw heads. Also, get a stubby Phillips, so it makes getting that plate on and off easier. I'll try to stitch the machine in when I get up in the am, hopefully, my friend will be able to get her top finished with less frustration. ON the other hand, she's learned to stop and start really well! (I know, Not funny...!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thread Runner Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 I just got a new to me Ultimate 2 about 2 months ago. I LOVE IT!!! However, I bought it from a lady in her mid 70's who liked to quilt with fishline. YUCK. I couldn't get the machine to do diddly squat. That is why I am married to an Engineer! My hubby looked up all the info online, cleaned up the burrs in the bobbin, retimed it several times, and took apart the tension assembly and put it back together the RIGHT way (it had been wrong) and now it quilts like a dream. I had a mid arm for 5 or 6 years, so that helped me learn about troubleshooting with tension and thread issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeke Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Don't you just love those ultimate II. Had one for fourteen years and just worked it to the bone. Funny thing, it came back and said, " is all you got". Ha ha ha. What a workhorse. Ten thumbs up for the UII. Zeke....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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