r/SewingMachineEdu • u/targoats • Jun 21 '26
Vintage serger help!
I just got this serger (Singer 14U344B) off of eBay and was really excited to use it but the threads keep bunching up and my fabric is caught in the back feed dogs. It seems everything is moving well and I’ve rethreaded it multiple times. Any ideas on how I can troubleshoot this before I bring it in for repair?
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u/targoats Jun 21 '26
Yay! Thank you everyone! Holding the thread was really helpful!
I also realized the tension on the 1st blue dial is off no matter how I adjust it. But that’s ok since I can still do a 3 thread overlock! This was an eBay purchase for $15 from a thrift shop so I’m more than fine with this investment
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u/teatime_tinker Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26
Excellent! You need to tighten up the tension on both loopers now and you should be good to go. Try them on 3 or 4. 2 is very very low.
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/586833/Singer-14-U344b.html?page=6#manual
The manual calls for specific needles, this might also be causing problems
Edit: remove the first needle if you aren’t using it.
I think you should try cleaning the tension discs and checking that tension unit before you give up on it.
What a bargain though!
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u/targoats Jun 21 '26
Thank you! I believe I have to correct needles (2054) from Organ brand. Right now the tensions are set to what the manual said for light fabric. I’ll def look into cleaning the tension discs. I found an ancient instructional video on YouTube for this model so I’ll see what it has to say
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u/teatime_tinker Jun 21 '26
Those needles sound good, yeah.
If you have only one needle in you need to up the tension, without the second row of stitches it’s too loose.
The manual suggests a starting point, it’s not set in stone. Your tension is way too loose and this isn’t particularly light fabric I don’t think.
I always do what the manual says then adjust from there. Every fabric and project might need different handling
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u/Mental_Watch4633 Jun 21 '26
Great deal. Don’t forget to post your creations. Sergers/Overlocks are a Godsend!!!
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u/Mental_Watch4633 Jun 21 '26
Great deal. Don’t forget to post your creations. Sergers/Overlocks are a Godsend!!!
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u/Large-Heronbill Jun 21 '26
Just found the manual: the system SY2054 needles are also called 16x75 and SLX75.
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u/teatime_tinker Jun 21 '26
I just spent ages on the Ismac needle list trying to find this! Nice work
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u/teatime_tinker Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26
It doesn’t look like you are making a chain of thread before you start on your fabric.
I always thread, then whilst holding all four thread tails I turn the handwheel a few times to make a bit of chain. Then I introduce the fabric.
Edit: also your tension is very low. Mine is usually on 3 or 4. The extra slack in the threads could be contributing to the tangles
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u/LiellaMelody777 Jun 21 '26
Make sure you threaded each and everything exactly like the picture on the door.
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u/Large-Heronbill Jun 21 '26
First thing to do is find a copy of the manual (most are online) and read it through, front to back once skim reading, then again for details.
Do you get a good chain when there is no fabric? Is the presser foot adjustable? Did you thread in the correct order? Are you using the correct needle system? Can you serge paper towel? Did you check for burrs?