OPERATING TIPS
General
• Always check the needle condition and the amount of bobbin remaining before starting a job.
• It is good practice to run a short strip of scrap whenever changing carpet types to check for stitch placement and binding fold.
• Never pull on the machine or carpet during operation. The feed roller and needle stroke are timed to prevent carpet movement while the
needle is in carpet. When binding corners with feed roller up, use care in feeding carpet.
• When binding berbers, install a #23 needle. Application of a sewing softener may be necessary prior to binding–Windex Clear works well for
this. Do NOT over-apply the softener as this can cause the backing to delaminate.
• Always use a lubricant when attempting to bind Unibond/unitary-backed carpet. Otherwise the thread and needle will pick up the plastic from
the backing, transfer it to the shuttle parts and cause thread tangling and breakage. (Depending on the carpet construction sewing Unibond/
unitary-backed carpet may not be possible.)
• If you hear the needle hitting, stop immediately and inspect the needle and shuttle area parts.
Binding
• Straight stitch or zigzag is a matter of preference.
• The zigzag stitch is durable and more forgiving when trying to stay on the edge of the binding.
• With some types of backing the perforations of straight stitching can cause the edge to break, especially when using the heavy #23 needle.
• Straight stitching uses less thread which means bobbin thread goes farther. Straight stitching is great for wall base.
• Heavy carpets such as berbers are easier to bind with a straight stitch. The machine may skip stitches in Zigzag mode.
• If the binding tape is uneven (more on top than bottom or vice versa), see the Folder Adjustment procedure.
Binding Corners
• Binding corners requires some practice. A good way to learn is to cut 4 approximately 1’ squares of carpet and bind them. You will gain a lot
of experience by the time you finish the last corner.
• Slowing the machine down with the speed control will also aid in making corners, circles and curves.
• A glue gun is generally used to lock corners down.
• Feed roller pressure may be reduced to make turning the machine easier by turning the upper pivot pin screw (P/N 403574) counterclockwise
a half turn at a time. When operating with less pressure, use care not to force the machine and deflect or break the needle. Feed roller height
is changed by loosening the set screw in the lift dog on the feed roller lift shaft.
Wall Base Binding
If carpet starts to curl when binding, it is usually caused by tension on the binding tape. Check the discs to make sure they are not squeezing the
tape. Bypass the tape guides on the folder and feed the tape directly into the folder. Dry Teflon lubricant may be sprayed on both sides of tape
spools.
Operation
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