Drag on Milli

[Toni123]

I have left a message w/APQS but here is the issue:

Dragging somewhat. I have made sure wheels are cleaned out, husband has loosed the wheels but I am still experiencing a drag especially when I have it on SR. Thread broke as I was doing terry twists and when I resume, I can't direct a straight light if my life depended on it. Ended up ripping out everything because I wasn't happy. Dawn is working w/me (bless her heart) and I think I will just half to put it on regular mode even thought I really depend on SR.

Any suggestions out there?

[Quilting Heidi]

Did you make sure your channel locks are not on? Having the wheels too loose can also be a problem. Is the problem worse back to front or side to side? If it is back to front then it is the carriage wheels that the machine rides on or something there, if it is side to side it is the then it is the wheels on the carriage.

[DawnCavanaugh]

Toni,

Double-check the hopping foot height, too. When the needle is as low as possible, you should be able to slide a business card underneath the foot, all the way around.

In addition to the Twist video, I'll try to get one up on wheel adjustment, too:)

[anniemueller]

So far, everytime I've felt my Millie drag there has been a good reason. A long thread wrapped around one of the wheels, power cords have interfered with the head/carriage moving, the cord on my surge protector was too short so it restricted movement of the head. I'm careful to cut all the threads underneath short because when they are left long the machine can snag on them and cause jerky movement. Sometimes when I'm using a practice piece that is clamped and not pinned to the canvas, the back of it bunches up and restricts movement. I do find it runs smoother after waxing the rails, even though Dawn says it shouldn't matter any more because the wheels are better now. I was having top thread tension problems including breaking, that resolved by cleaning and oiling the bobbin case/hook area more frequently. I've only been LAing for a few months, listen to the more experienced voices before mine and persevere, you will figure it out.

[witha'K'quilting]

I too have had this experience but only when the power cord gets caught in the back carriage wheels.

Hang in there, Dawn will get you all fixed up. We all have confidence in her.

[dlnewell]

Not too long ago I experienced a drag on my machine and also noticed that the bobbin thread had pulled extremely tight. Somehow, the bobbin thread had gotten around the little handle of the bobbin case. I think the extra tension had caused the drag. After picking out a lot of stitching, I always check underneath after each bobbin change.

[uncquilter]

Dawn,

I love your videos. One on wheel adjustment would be so nice! Proper wheel adjustment made lots of difference for me.

Carol

[SandraG]

Once you master wheel adjustment and tension adjustment, quilting is a breeze!!! Of course, tops that are near square would be a perk!!

Sandra

[Chocoholic]

Tony, check for threads wrapped around the axel of your wheels. When I first started, my machine got so bad I couldn't believe it. Finally, dh took one of the wheels off and wow, I couldn't believe how much thread was wrapped around it. You couldn't even see that when the wheel was on. Well, obviously, we checked all the rest of the wheels as well, but they were ok.