[amayausers] Hook question

I've been working on a problem with Jeff Banks (who is now on vacation), so 
I thought I'd continue my quest here.

Here's what's happened so far.

I'm stitching several free-standing lace designs in my 14 x 11 hoop. I had 
a thread break indicator. What really happened was that the thread didn't 
catch at the beginning of a color change (needle 15 to needle 1). I 
re-threaded and tried again with the same results. Since it really doesn't 
matter (each design is separated enough) I shifted the hoop up and to the 
right (as you face the machine) slightly to get away from the holes created 
in the first two tries. I started it and on the second downward stitch I 
got a z-axis tracking error.

Shutting the machine down doesn't re-set the needle.

Jeff walked me through some steps to determine cause, and I found a thread 
caught in the hook (left side as you face the machine). No amount of effort 
would free the thread, including oiling the area. So, the next step was to 
take the retaining finger off again to allow the hook to rotate. Around the 
outer edges of the hook are some real tiny screws what hold the races or 
track pieces onto the hook assembly. I tried to remove these tiny screws to 
get access to the inner basket and track where the thread is balled up. The 
right side came free with no problem, but the left (where the thread is) 
won't unscrew.

Unless someone has a different suggestion, I'm guessing that I'll need to 
replace the hook (do I want the low oil or regular hook? I can order on 
Monday when Melco is open again). I will then need someone to walk me 
through hook timing since I've never had to do that yet. Does anyone have 
the time and inclination to help me out with this, please? I'm pretty 
technically savvy (I tear apart and build computers), but definitely want 
an expert to walk me through.

Thanks,
Connie


Wyvern Productions
Painting masterpieces in thread.
http://www.wyvernproductions.com

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