Dian Chapman, After a few times with this situation, I just turned off the cutter completely. I no longer have any problems. If I want no-jump threads on the bottom, I bring thread to top of project, and cut it, after is makes a few stitches. Haven't had any problems lately.
Golly, what a shame to have what's supposed to be such a great machine, have so many problems! I am NEVER happy with how my machine is taken apart and cleaned, and I own 4 Husqvarna Vikings. My husband and I always take my machine's housings off and clean them ourselves, with pipe cleaners and an attachment to our vacuum cleaner. Then, I take it in for service...like to adjust the timing, etc. Many service techs seems to be lazy about the cleaning part. It's just like healthcare; if you aren't proactive, you're not going to get the care you need! Glad you figured out how to fix your machine. A good cleaning always helps! Happy sewing!
I clean mine all the time, too. And I DID learn how to fix it myself...something Viking was never able to successfully do. LOTS of people have nightmares with the cutters on these machines and Viking doesn't show/tell you how easy it can be to fix the problem yourself. If you read the UPDATE info above, you'll see I fixed it and there's a video to show you how.
Sorry to hear your having this problem. I have an Epic too and enjoy flawless sewing. It is overdue for a service call, but I hesitate to take it in because I worry that it will come back with issues. Please post how it turns out.
I know EXACTLY what you mean. After having the first machine come back messed up, I didn't bother taking the new machine in to be cleaned after a year because I didn't trust that it would come back okay. And sure enough...I HAD to take it in due to the thread sensor breaking and yes, they messed it up. Broke the cutter, didn't replace Velcro that fell out and even broke the bobbin winder stopper that now flies off when it stops winding. Totally disgusted with Viking repair!
We learned how to fix the problem ourselves. Should you ever need it, here's the problem and how to get it fixed. ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
You should take it back to your dealer....I have dealt with Viking since 2005, I have found them to be helpful . I too have the Epic and the 980q, I suggest you go to your dealer, it’s is repairable.
LOL...Sorry, NOT laughing at you, but you OBVIOUSLY have had much better service than I've had with it. I had one machine and finally DID get a new machine from them. But then after 2 yrs they broke this one, too! I've had a nightmare time with some of their service folks. But I learned how to fix it myself! See this second video and also feel free to read the whole story at the second link below. ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html mousetrax.com/viking.html
Wow. I am also having issues with my viking Ruby. In embroidery mode automatic thread cutter does not cut bottom thread so when arm drags thread to next step it distorts fabric in hoop.
In my OPINION if it wasn't sent to or taken to TN corp office then it's not Viking who messed up your machine but the local repair guy. I often feel they are in a Rush to get all kinds of different machines done. Also, are you using a Straight Stitch plate with your embroidery or a Zigzag plate? That makes a difference as well.
Yeah, I'm well aware of the MI vs TN repair shops. Mine did go to MI. They WANTED to then send it to TN after my numerous complaints, but they wanted SEVERAL weeks and I didn't have the time to let it go that long. And yes, I'm also well aware of which plate to use. As an FYI...you might want to see what I do so you'll realize I'm NOT a newbie to this work! See www.mousetrax.com. :-)
I had this same very thing happen on my Pfaff Icon. I got in there like you and cleaned out all the thread and it would keep happening and again I would clean out all the thread. I did not see in the manual where you should be holding the thread tail at the start of a color change and after you hear the blade cut you pull out the thread tail. Now there is no more thread getting down into the cutter because I am pulling it out at the start of a color. There are just tiny bits every now and then and everything has worked perfectly since I started doing this. I am originally a Babylock/Brother user and have never seen where you need to hold the thread tail. Although the cutter on Babylock/Brother does not engage at the start of a color like the Viking and Pfaff do. I really can't believe how long the thread tail is when it does cut at the start of a color which is a big big problem unless you hold the tail as I stated. To be clear you hold it at the first start of a color, you don't have to hold it again until after you change to another color because after it cuts one jump stitch during that color the thread tail will then be the perfect length where the thread doesn't get cut as long and sometimes you will not get any thread down in there at all.
The quality of Viking machines has deteriorated. I do not trust the service department of my local Viking dealership. A friend of mine purchased an Epic 2 and it had to be sent back to Viking, they replaced it and the one they sent her was also defective; basically the machine had to be replaced three times! I changed brands to Brother and I could not be more pleased.
So sorry to hear this. They should just give you a new machine until one works. I have an epic as well. I hope I won’t have any problems with it.if it does I will want my money back.
Thanks. I actually learned how to fix the problem myself! Something Viking repair was too incompetent to do for years over two machines. Here's the fix should you ever need it. ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
Thank you. I'm HOPING to get it fix...someday...or get another new machine like they gave me when they messed up the first Epic I bought. My K9 Hero Pillow Project is suffering because of this problem. (See mousetrax.com in case you're not aware of it.)
Thanks. If your cutter ever starts jamming up, here's how my husband and I fixed the problem...something Viking could never figure out or were too lazy to do! ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
I learned how to fix the problem. Watch my fix video here. Good luck! I KNOW how terribly annoying and frustrating this problem is and how upsetting it is that Viking is too incompetent to fix it! ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
NO! It means that Viking repair doesn't know how to fix a machine when thread in the way of the cutter is causing it to jam. See my full explanation here: www.mousetrax.com/viking.html
No. We have had the same problem and they keep trying to blame us for the problem. There's only one way to thread the machine. We have three other Vikings and this machine is nowhere near the money they charge. Just saying.
OMG, Dian. I have a Viking Rose since 2004. I NEVER use the embroidery feature because to scared to try. I have been sewing for 50 years (13 years old). I have good luck with my Rose so far. I also have a Bernina Sewing Machine (25 years old) which is my backup machine. I was planning to purchase a new Viking Embroidery Epic (brand new), but hesitant after reading all the reviews. Thank you sooo much for sharing.
Dian Chapman, After a few times with this situation, I just turned off the cutter completely. I no longer have any problems. If I want no-jump threads on the bottom, I bring thread to top of project, and cut it, after is makes a few stitches. Haven't had any problems lately.
Golly, what a shame to have what's supposed to be such a great machine, have so many problems! I am NEVER happy with how my machine is taken apart and cleaned, and I own 4 Husqvarna Vikings. My husband and I always take my machine's housings off and clean them ourselves, with pipe cleaners and an attachment to our vacuum cleaner. Then, I take it in for service...like to adjust the timing, etc. Many service techs seems to be lazy about the cleaning part. It's just like healthcare; if you aren't proactive, you're not going to get the care you need! Glad you figured out how to fix your machine. A good cleaning always helps! Happy sewing!
I clean mine all the time, too. And I DID learn how to fix it myself...something Viking was never able to successfully do. LOTS of people have nightmares with the cutters on these machines and Viking doesn't show/tell you how easy it can be to fix the problem yourself.
If you read the UPDATE info above, you'll see I fixed it and there's a video to show you how.
Sorry to hear your having this problem. I have an Epic too and enjoy flawless sewing. It is overdue for a service call, but I hesitate to take it in because I worry that it will come back with issues. Please post how it turns out.
I know EXACTLY what you mean. After having the first machine come back messed up, I didn't bother taking the new machine in to be cleaned after a year because I didn't trust that it would come back okay. And sure enough...I HAD to take it in due to the thread sensor breaking and yes, they messed it up. Broke the cutter, didn't replace Velcro that fell out and even broke the bobbin winder stopper that now flies off when it stops winding. Totally disgusted with Viking repair!
We learned how to fix the problem ourselves. Should you ever need it, here's the problem and how to get it fixed.
ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
You should take it back to your dealer....I have dealt with Viking since 2005, I have found them to be helpful . I too have the Epic and the 980q, I suggest you go to your dealer, it’s is repairable.
LOL...Sorry, NOT laughing at you, but you OBVIOUSLY have had much better service than I've had with it. I had one machine and finally DID get a new machine from them. But then after 2 yrs they broke this one, too! I've had a nightmare time with some of their service folks. But I learned how to fix it myself! See this second video and also feel free to read the whole story at the second link below.
ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
mousetrax.com/viking.html
Dian, did you ever get your problem resolved?
Wow. I am also having issues with my viking Ruby. In embroidery mode automatic thread cutter does not cut bottom thread so when arm drags thread to next step it distorts fabric in hoop.
In my OPINION if it wasn't sent to or taken to TN corp office then it's not Viking who messed up your machine but the local repair guy. I often feel they are in a Rush to get all kinds of different machines done. Also, are you using a Straight Stitch plate with your embroidery or a Zigzag plate? That makes a difference as well.
Yeah, I'm well aware of the MI vs TN repair shops. Mine did go to MI. They WANTED to then send it to TN after my numerous complaints, but they wanted SEVERAL weeks and I didn't have the time to let it go that long. And yes, I'm also well aware of which plate to use. As an FYI...you might want to see what I do so you'll realize I'm NOT a newbie to this work! See www.mousetrax.com. :-)
I had this same very thing happen on my Pfaff Icon. I got in there like you and cleaned out all the thread and it would keep happening and again I would clean out all the thread. I did not see in the manual where you should be holding the thread tail at the start of a color change and after you hear the blade cut you pull out the thread tail. Now there is no more thread getting down into the cutter because I am pulling it out at the start of a color. There are just tiny bits every now and then and everything has worked perfectly since I started doing this. I am originally a Babylock/Brother user and have never seen where you need to hold the thread tail. Although the cutter on Babylock/Brother does not engage at the start of a color like the Viking and Pfaff do. I really can't believe how long the thread tail is when it does cut at the start of a color which is a big big problem unless you hold the tail as I stated. To be clear you hold it at the first start of a color, you don't have to hold it again until after you change to another color because after it cuts one jump stitch during that color the thread tail will then be the perfect length where the thread doesn't get cut as long and sometimes you will not get any thread down in there at all.
Yes, it's amazing that we pay a small fortune for such picky machines! I HOPE you saw my FIX video...in case it can help you, if needed.
The quality of Viking machines has deteriorated. I do not trust the service department of my local Viking dealership. A friend of mine purchased an Epic 2 and it had to be sent back to Viking, they replaced it and the one they sent her was also defective; basically the machine had to be replaced three times! I changed brands to Brother and I could not be more pleased.
So sorry to hear this. They should just give you a new machine until one works. I have an epic as well. I hope I won’t have any problems with it.if it does I will want my money back.
Thanks. I actually learned how to fix the problem myself! Something Viking repair was too incompetent to do for years over two machines. Here's the fix should you ever need it.
ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
I’m so sorry to hear this. I have the same machine.
Thank you. I'm HOPING to get it fix...someday...or get another new machine like they gave me when they messed up the first Epic I bought. My K9 Hero Pillow Project is suffering because of this problem. (See mousetrax.com in case you're not aware of it.)
Thanks. If your cutter ever starts jamming up, here's how my husband and I fixed the problem...something Viking could never figure out or were too lazy to do!
ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
Mine does same thing and it is only 4 months old.
I learned how to fix the problem. Watch my fix video here. Good luck! I KNOW how terribly annoying and frustrating this problem is and how upsetting it is that Viking is too incompetent to fix it!
ruclips.net/video/ZX7xSPRmSmw/видео.html
The plate on mine is electrocuting me .
Trouble on the bottom means bad threading on top. Just saying
NO! It means that Viking repair doesn't know how to fix a machine when thread in the way of the cutter is causing it to jam. See my full explanation here:
www.mousetrax.com/viking.html
No. We have had the same problem and they keep trying to blame us for the problem. There's only one way to thread the machine. We have three other Vikings and this machine is nowhere near the money they charge. Just saying.
OMG, Dian. I have a Viking Rose since 2004. I NEVER use the embroidery feature because to scared to try. I have been sewing for 50 years (13 years old). I have good luck with my Rose so far. I also have a Bernina Sewing Machine (25 years old) which is my backup machine. I was planning to purchase a new Viking Embroidery Epic (brand new), but hesitant after reading all the reviews. Thank you sooo much for sharing.