Mercedes Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I just changed the needle on my machine. When I run it with no thread, it makes a slight ticking noise as the needle goes up and down. Am I supposed to hear this noise or have I done something wrong. I have the groove of the needle to the front and the scarf in the back. The needle is pushed all the way up and I used another needle to ensure the needle hole is straight front to back. If that little tick noise is normal, then fine but I don't want to run my machine until I'm sure. Thanks! Mercedes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyonden Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Is the needle the same brand you took out? Is the needle all the way up in the shaft? I found that sometimes the needle just barely hits the bobbin case and I have to adjust it. I personally don't like ticking noises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltermidwife Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 When my machine made this noise, and after a day of trying to figure, I discovered that the needle was in back to front even though I was positive I had put it in correctly!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Do you have the bump facing the front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Yes the bump is facing the front , needle isn't in backwards. The needle that I took out appears to be the same length. I put in a 4.0 needle I got from APQS. The needle is all the way up in the shaft. What in the world am I doing wrong? Mercedes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynne in Iowa Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I wish they would make changing the needle easier too, there are enough things for a beginner to figure out. I was scared to death the first time I changed one. There must be some way to tell if it is in there straight. Did you try another needle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 When you run your finger nail down the grove of the needle that is the front...the indented side is the back...... If you are getting a clicking sound I would almost guarantee your needle is in backwards....no sound should ever come from needles. Double check and let us know..... OR...you have the needle turned to far to the left or right and the hook isn't passing the indented space correctly....double check that as well to make sure the needle isn't turned to far...the groove is a thread guide so it needs to be pretty straight on...however some of us run it turned to either 6:30 or 6:25.... 6 oclock being 100% straight on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 The groove of the needle is in the front, the indented side is in the back - I rechecked it just to be sure...Mercedes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Then go back to my post and read the edited portion...sorry I thought I could get it on before you answered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmquilt Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 You get that little ticking noise when the hook hits the needle. Not that big of a deal. The new needle you put in might have a slight bend to it or the one you took out had a bend in it. If it bothers you to much you have to loosen the rotary hook and move it away from the needle. Might want to try a different needle first. Michele Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I put in a new needle and it still has a slight tick. I'm not ready to try and adjust the rotary hook - yikes! If this tick is OK, then I'll just go ahead and sew with it. It won't hurt anything - right? Mercedes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Originally posted by Mercedes I put in a new needle and it still has a slight tick. I'm not ready to try and adjust the rotary hook - yikes! If this tick is OK, then I'll just go ahead and sew with it. It won't hurt anything - right? Mercedes Actually if its hitting to hard it could dull your hook tip on the assembly and that is costly about $125 for a new hook assembly.... without standing there and looking or hearing I can't tell what you are calling a clicking sound.... if you feel comfortable enough take the needle plate off and with a needle watch as you hand turn the needle up and down and see how direct its hitting the needle....if its actually PUSHING the needle....and not actually gliding by it...I wouldn't go any further till you can find someone who can hear it.... IF its gliding by and just barely pushing it away...then continue...with caution... You really shouldn't be hearing a clicking sound...or at least I don't on mine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I took off the needle plate and watched as it goes past - the needle is gliding past it - not pushing the needle at all. Does anyone else have this slight ticking sound - it's not loud just a slight tick? Mercedes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing bear Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 check that the thread is threaded through all the loops correctly. i had a slight clacking sound and found that my thread was not threaded correctly. i had missed the 'hook' after threading through the rotary tension thingy. noise was coming from the rotary tension thingy ... just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadia Wilson Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Mercedes, The needle just kisses the hook as it passes by. As long as you replaced the needle with one that was the same (ie: same brand) you should be fine. The slight ticking noise was probably there before but unnoticed. If you are feeling really unsure, call Sherry and ask her if the machine did that before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I checked everything again, and I think you're right, my machine just has this very slight tick that is probably normal for it and I just never noticed it before because this is the first time I've changed the needle. I need to get better in tune with the noises my machine makes so I'll know when something sounds different. That will come as I use it more. I'm going to give her a WD40 wash and re-oil on the bobbin later today. I have an air compressor that I've never tried out so this will be a good experience for me and I'm sure Mille will appreiate the deep cleaning instead of the normal brush out. Thanks everone! Mercedes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 The clicking sound might be that the bobbin assembly might need cleaning and oiling. Have you removed the needle plate, wiped clean of debris, then cleaned your bobbin area (blow out, then squirt generously with WD40, wipe out and then a few drops of oil in the hook area? When I remove my needle plate, I blow out down through the hole (while machine is running) and hit it with WD40 while machine is spinning (slowly) and then I also oil the moving parts with a few drops from top down, and on the hook too. I don't remove the needle plate every time, just once a month or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydids Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Originally posted by Mercedes I put in a new needle and it still has a slight tick. I'm not ready to try and adjust the rotary hook - yikes! If this tick is OK, then I'll just go ahead and sew with it. It won't hurt anything - right? Mercedes Don't start messing with the hook rotation. The ticking is NORMAL, as these machines are timed very tight. The hook just kisses the needle as it passes and that is the sound you hear. It would be much louder if the needle were in backwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SherryRogers Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Hi Kay try a smaller needle. I never used anything larger then an 18. I typically used a 14. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smorris Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Just another post to confirm that slight clicking is OK, especial now Sherry advised that she always used a finer needle. The hook and needle need to touch ever so slightly to get the beautiful stitches, now its just touching a teeny bit more. Stay with the MR 4s until yuou get the feel of the machine Good luck sue in australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I did the WD40 Wash and put in a smaller needle just to see - no tickinig. I've put back the MR4 and will use that while I'm still learning AND after the WD40 wash the tick with the MR4's is almost non existent so the intense cleaning must have also helped. Thanks everyone! Mercedes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Yes indeedy! A clean machine is a happy machine. Glad all is working better for you The cleaning routine is a good habit and only takes a few minutes of time. My machine purrs like a kitten and I've never ever have had problems with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Rule of thumb - at least for me.............. any time I start hearing any extra noises that means it is time to give the extra clean and oil. It is amazing how big a difference that can make - especially on my Millie - not just with the little noises, but also the stitch quality. I find with my Innova, that with the last of each bobbin, I get a little more noise - it is thirsty for some oil. Innova says to add a drop or 2 of oil with each bobbin change & they are right.......... I have always deep cleaned with every few bobbin changes. Things just seem to go better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I have always had such a little click and have learned to listen the different sound if it needs cleaning in between my regular cleaning schedule. I am glad you checked though. shows how much you care. have fun bonding and learning the "language" your girl talks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 If you have never noticed this ticking-clicking noise before---then something has changed or is different for sure. A good cleaning and oiling may help. Or--change the needle one more time, only this time check that you have the needle shaft pushed all the way up before you tighten the needle holding screw. It it just slips down even a tiny bit, you can get this clicking noise. That's all I can think go do as I've had this problem in the past with machines. Sewing and the long arm. Hope you can correct this as it's worrisome if it's a new sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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