Ed, Never had metallic thread on the machine. I've had my machine since late May 2004 and have not done a lot of sewing. In fact just did the 4 mil maintenance. (I've changed rollers as needed before this.) The material thickness is set anywhere from 4 to 12 depending on garments. (I've only sewn 3 caps.) It seems as of late that have been having a lot of fraying thread breaks. To the point that I'm afraid to sew on anything that "real". I'm thinking that the thread may be getting caught on this groove. Typically on these fraying thread breaks, the thread is NOT around the roller or bundled up under the cover. I've been avoid all 7 needles that have the cut in the cover. The cut is below the little dip/groove in the cover. Terri -----Original Message----- From: amayausers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:amayausers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of E. Orantes Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 1:23 PM To: amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [amayausers] Re: Thread Feed Roller Exasperation Are you using metallic thread??? We've been running for three years and haven't seen grooves in the black plastic cover yet. Could you have gotten a bad batch? What is the average Material Thickness setting that you run. Do you ever change this setting as you sew different garments? If the groove in the cover isn't causing damage to the thread, I don't see were it would be a problem. The grooves in the thread feed roller are an issue because you need consistent pressure from the red roller above. The black cover is just that, a cover. The cover does have a "dovetail" thread guide notch, but that is up and above the thread feed roller window. Is that the groove you're talking about? Ed Ed & Maralien Orantes E.M. Broidery 900 Terry Parkway, Ste. 200 New Orleans, La. 70056 504-EMBROID ery (504-362-7643) -----Original Message----- From: amayausers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:amayausers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Lee or Terri Hoover Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 12:52 PM To: amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [amayausers] Re: Thread Feed Roller Exasperation Along this same line, has anyone had any problems with black cover of the roller getting a cut in it. Some of mine have. Granted my experience at correctly embroidering is small, but have not had any bird nests or other thing that have caused problems to the actual rollers. My rollers in fact look really good compared to the picture in the Amaya book. The have only had 1 or 2 nicks. So what would cause the "cut" in the black cover. I can see it and drag a nail across it. Terri -----Original Message----- From: amayausers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:amayausers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Body Cover Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 12:45 PM To: amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [amayausers] Re: Thread Feed Roller Exasperation The exasperation is real I haven't experienced it to your level though I try to hold the tip way up and hook the lip of the back in first, try and hold it as level (left to right) as possible it does want to touch the red roller also. I have also had good luck with holding it on both sides, better leverage and my fingers are too big to get too close. let it ride in on the top of the replaced feed roller then lift it slightly. also you may try to get a stool and a flashlight and look at it from above the red roller and guide it in that way, I do know unless it's right it won't snap down right I wish I had a good trick to share with you. as far as the upper adjustment you'll be happy to know that all you can do is raise and lower the fabric thickness if it is acting erratic I'll bet you have grooves and gunk on the rollers and sad to say I'll bet a lot of them are bad, which means lots of practice changing out rollers. One tip I can give that we learned the hard way. to inspect the roller, you need to actually pull it out. We kept having problems on one needle and when I looked I never saw a groove but after 2 or 3 looks I finally pulled it out and found a nasty gash on the backside. I guess I got unlucky and looked at the good spot three times in a row! the point is, now if I even think of thread feed problems I swap rollers and see if the problem disappears. then I throw the old ones in a box as backups in case I need another and have no new ones left. I can clean an old one with alcohol or eraser as described in this list and make due as long as there no wear grooves or cuts. and don't think it has to birdnest or go really wrong to make a cut or groove, it is a normal wear and tear thing, it is not an "IF" it is a "WHEN" so buy extras next time you order supplies and be ready Ron Vinyard Body Cover / Magic Stitches 1-888-435-0176 420 SW H street Grants Pass, OR 97526 info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.bodycoverdesign.com ----- Original Message ----- From: <embroideryexpress@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 9:17 AM Subject: [amayausers] Thread Feed Roller Exasperation >I can now get the thread feed rollers in and out easily enough. > My frustration is replacing the black cover...I have spent 45 minutes plus several times and then I walk away and leave that > needle OUT OF THE LOOP for several days...anyone have any tips for replacing that easily. I wrestled it last night...again this > morning and my nerves are shot I plan to stop in and see the salesman at the NNEP conference and have him demonstrate this for > me..... > > I have a helper that says I need to tighten the upper tension...I explain that I can't (not too easily as she is Vietnamese and > our communications are VERY LIMITED....) Does there come a time that some adjustment is necessary. > > I suspect there are grooves in my thread feed rollers but am reluctant to check based on problems described above.... > > Anyone have expereince with other brand machines.... > easier? sewing quality the same or better? > > My two year warranty is about to expire and I need to decide what to do....also considering adding a machine....another AMAYA or 2 > or 4 head ? DECISIONS...DECISIONS!!!!! > > Shannon > Embroidery Express > Olney MD