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Anonymous Posted on Jun 08, 2014
Answered

Why do the automatic stitches and cams on an elna su not work?

The machine worked fine last time I used it last year. Just got it out and now it will only sew a straight stitch in forward and reverse.

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Chris Wetmore

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  • Expert 190 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 22, 2014
Chris Wetmore
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Joined: Feb 19, 2008
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Remove thread from machine and open door to where you put cams in. Step on pedal and run at full speed. It the mechanism where the cams go spinning? It is likely that your elna graph gear is broke

5 Related Answers

bargainbox

Hassy

  • 1388 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 01, 2008

SOURCE: Elna Carina Zig'Zag Stitch Issue

Over time, and especially when not used, there is a likelihood of dust and old oil forming a sort of glue, or clag....

Remove the needle for safety, then, when you have the setting on Zig zag, gently push the needle arm to the opposite side of the zig stitch.......release the needle arm, and if it springs back quickly, it is fine, if it moves slowly, or almost not at all, then the clag needs removing with application of few drops of methylated spirit to start, at the sort of piston affair that shifts needle arm L & R .....move the needle arm back & forth until it frees up, a drop of oil to finish.........if almost seized, may require leaving overnight after using a penetrating lubricant if it is really resistant....I have had them on the bench for 3 days with manual manipulation a few times each day before they finally come good.

Bargain Box

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Anonymous

  • 188 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 26, 2009

SOURCE: needle stuck in right position, will only sew tiny,tiny stitches

oil it. down the shaft if you can get to it. and where ever there is a hole it always helps.

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on May 27, 2009

SOURCE: Singer Touch Tronic 2001 Sewing Machine Stuck on Sewing Straight Stitch Only

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago. I finally figured out that I had the straight stitch needle plate (the one with the single hole), rather than the zig zag needle plate (the one with the curved hole). When I changed plates, it worked fine.

sewtexas

  • 136 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 12, 2009

SOURCE: Elna machanical sewing machine

50 year old elnas made stitches by cams. look to see if the machine has a cam in it. you can see this by opening lid on top of machine. cams are black with red or white showing the pattern of the cam. could also have broken cam stack gear. That would require technician with elna experience

RichSew

Douglas Plant

  • 222 Answers
  • Posted on May 07, 2010

SOURCE: Pfaff 1222E machine not working right

Skipped stitches means a bent or dull needle or improper needle for the fabric being sewn. Try a new needle of the correct type for the material being sewn. If this doesnt correct it, then it will be a timing or needle to hook problem and should go to a qualifed dealer for repair.

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Related Questions:

1helpful
1answer

My Elna SU air has a cam stuck in the top. I have put oil on top and let it sit for hours but when I push down on the center post the cam will not pop up. What else can I do?
have you turned the stitch length and stitch width dials back to zero? this is important to disengage the "Feeler" arm which reads the Elnagraph where the disc is locked in. Turn stitch width to zero, stitch length to zero and make sure that the stitch selecter is on the "Disc" icon. Then press down ******* the metal centre button.
Read full answer
Dec 28, 2016 • Elna Sewing Machines
0helpful
1answer

I have an Elna SU. I cannot get my cam stitches to work....what could I be doing wrong? I have followed the manual.
If your machine is mechanical, not computerized, it probably needs a thorough oiling with fresh good quality sewing machine oil. The old oil has solidified over time and locked the moving parts in place.

Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and down is very tight...

It was working now it seems to be frozen the needle part wont move

...
Read full answer
Oct 26, 2016 • Elna Sewing Machines
0helpful
1answer

Zigzag feature is not working
Remove thread from machine and open door to where you put cams in. Step on pedal and run at full speed. It the mechanism where the cams go spinning? It is likely that your elna graph gear is broke
Read full answer
Jan 09, 2014 • Elna Sewing Machines
0helpful
1answer

How to embroider with elna su electronic
There are a couple of Elna SU models, the Star Series SU is white with a blue top panel. Or the air electronic SU is a white machine and a dozen years newer (80's). Both have a disc elnagraph reader in a flap on top of the machine and sew a range of stitches involving either side to side stitch formation or side to side and forwards and backwards, albiet revolutionary when new but not what modern computerised embroidery machines can produce now. To use, you set stitch width and length dials to zero, then insert the black disc into the elnagraph ensuring you line up the disc with a little finger underneath. There should be a red marking on the disc and the shaft to assist with this. Press down until the disc clicks into place. Now turn stitch length to S for supermatic and width to 4 and sew. You can vary the stitch width to adjust stitch and the AE also has a little dial that elongates or closes up the stitch. Try machine embroidery thread for a silky stitch especially with satin stitch where the thread is close together. Also wing needles can be interesting when using the turkish hem stitch disc.
Read full answer
Dec 29, 2012 • Elna Sewing Machines
1helpful
1answer

My elna has cams to upgrade the number of stitches it can do but I am unable to get them to work. I believe I have installed them correctly but cannot activate them.
Throughout the Swiss Elna range there were several of their top of line models that have the black cams for additional stitches and they all have an "Elnagraph" device in the top of the machine case where you insert the cams.

There are single cams where the needle just moves ffrom side to side while the fabric moves forward. And double cams where the needle moves from side to side while the feed dogs move the fabric forward and backwards to get a combination stitch. The trick is to get the Elnagraph to engage so the arm in it can "read" off the disc.

There are a couple of other knobs that you need to adjust to get the cam stitch though.

Star Series: (white machine with blue top) you need to put the stitch selector inside the elnagraph flap to "A" on the Star series and then stitch width to 4 and stitch length to the red A zone.
tally_girl_15.jpg
Air Electronic SU or Carina: you have 3 knobs from left to right - stitch selector (put it on 7) , stitch width (put it on 4, orange area) and stitch length (turn it around to the orange zone for the automatic stitches).

And on the early Supermatic the adjustments are a little different again.

And ALWAYS turn the stitch width and length dials back to zero, before you change the stitch selector, or pop out a cam.

I hope this helps you get your Elna stitching from the cam, there is a great Yahoo group called Elna Heirlooms too where there are lots of knowledgeable Elna owners and some files listing all the cam stitches.
Read full answer
Apr 10, 2011 • Elna Sewing Machines
1helpful
1answer

The 6 built-in stitches (such as blind stitch, darning stitch, etc.) are not working, they only just do the basic zig zag stitch. Also the cams for decorative stitching do not work either. These are all...
I have the same model, have you turned the first knob on left, the stitch selector, to the stitch you want? Then turn the middle knob, the stitch width to "4". Use the colour guide marks shown in the little picture on left of the knobs so you are dialing up the right settings. So for the zig zag, elastic blind hem, scallop, overcasting and multi-stretch stiches, 1-6 on the diagram you'll be setting the left knob to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively and the stitch width and length knobs to "green", you can vary the length and width to suit what you want.

Then for the cams, you need to set everything zero, turn stitch selector to 7, the cam setting. then turn the width to orange again (3-4) and the stitch lenth selector to the orange setting, right around the knob. This engages the "Elnagraph" the device under the flap on top of the machine to read the discs. Basically the green stitches the needle is swinging from side to side while the feed dogs move the fabric forward, making your zig zags, blind hems etc.
But when you engage the Elna graph, the machine matches stiches by moving the fabric "forward and backwards at certain times, while the needle does its thing from side to side. This is what makes elastic or stretchy type stitches because you are putting "stretch" into the seam by sewing forwards and backwards.

Please note: always turn your stitch width and length back to Zero BEFORE you make any changes to the left knob and select a new stitch as this saves on wear and tear to the moving parts in these wonderful machines.

I do hope this assists you and I haven't just told you stuff you already knew!
Read full answer
Feb 15, 2011 • Elna Sewing Machines
4helpful
1answer

I have a old Elna machine. The air electronic SU 390 B. I have lost the manual and am trying to do buttonholes on a dress. I have forgotten the sequence of nob adjustments to complete the process.
Is this the duplex model with the base that fits into a sewing cabinet?

My Elna booklet lists a SP "air electronic" duplex (CL.39), if so, then it would be same stitches as the 38, yellow front panel, 7 built in stitches and automatic knob with blue markings for buttonholing.

Here is the SU manual images for buttonholing, should be exactly the same for the SP.

tally_girl_4.jpg Instructions are:
use buttonhole foot. turn the 3 dials to buttonhole marked in blue (stitch selection, width and length).
Mark length of buttonhol on the material. Place work under foot with the mark in the middile fo the foot, the start being directly below the needle. sew the first side, raise the needle. Turn stitch width dial to 2, blue. Sew a few stitches for bartack. Raise the needle.
Turn stitch width dial to 3 blue. sew the second side. stop just short of the first side. Raise the needle.
turn the stitch width dial to 4 blue. sew a few stitches for bartack. Raise the needle.
Turn stitch width dial to "fastening off stitch" blue dot. Sew a few stitches, holding back the material by hand. Raise needle, lift pressure foot and remove work, triming off threads.
Open the buttonhole with your seam ripper (put a pin across the end to avoid any nasties).
Read full answer
Aug 26, 2010 • Elna 2007 Mechanical Sewing Machine
7helpful
3answers

Have a 1970's elna su supermatic but cams don't work
There are two types of discs - single and double.
For the thinner single discs do as follows:
1.Turn stitch width knob to "0"
2. Turn stitch length knob to "0"
3. Insert the single disc
4. Turn the top selector to "A"
5. Make sure the needle selector is in the centered position.
6. You may now choose any stitch length or width you wish. I usually try "3" for the width and 1/2 for the length to start.

For the thicker double discs do as follows:

1.Turn stitch width knob to "0"
2. Turn stitch length knob to "0"
3. Insert the double disc
4. Turn the top selector to "A"
5. Make sure the needle selector is in the centered position.
6. You may now choose any stitch width.
7. The stitch length must be put on "A" - this is the difference between the single and double discs!
I hope this helps!
Read full answer
Mar 11, 2009 • Elna 1010
2helpful
3answers

Elna machanical sewing machine
50 year old elnas made stitches by cams. look to see if the machine has a cam in it. you can see this by opening lid on top of machine. cams are black with red or white showing the pattern of the cam. could also have broken cam stack gear. That would require technician with elna experience
Read full answer
Jul 05, 2008 • Elna 2007 Mechanical Sewing Machine
5helpful
3answers

Elna Carina Zig'Zag Stitch Issue
Over time, and especially when not used, there is a likelihood of dust and old oil forming a sort of glue, or clag....

Remove the needle for safety, then, when you have the setting on Zig zag, gently push the needle arm to the opposite side of the zig stitch.......release the needle arm, and if it springs back quickly, it is fine, if it moves slowly, or almost not at all, then the clag needs removing with application of few drops of methylated spirit to start, at the sort of piston affair that shifts needle arm L & R .....move the needle arm back & forth until it frees up, a drop of oil to finish.........if almost seized, may require leaving overnight after using a penetrating lubricant if it is really resistant....I have had them on the bench for 3 days with manual manipulation a few times each day before they finally come good.

Bargain Box
Read full answer
Jan 31, 2008 • Elna 2007 Mechanical Sewing Machine
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My Elna SU air has a cam stuck in the top. I have put oil on top and let it sit for hours but when I push down on the center post the cam will not pop up. What else can I do?

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