How to repair this ?

[hairyone]

Thanks, I've looked at many similar but not quite right needle plates and wondered if I could frankenstein something useable. But the bobbin access is different.
I did wonder if the slotted area could be cut out and replaced with a similar section from another plate, same as fixing a comples car body panel. The problem comes back to the original one of how to joine the two pieces ... silver solder, braze, tig, laser weld ?

 

[hairyone]

There is a fault here, either the needle rod bushings are worn out, or the needles you are using are too thin, or both. The needle plate has been hit by the needle very many times, this normally only happens if you are sewing heavy material and the needle flexes to one side and hits the needle plate. also note that it is only one side. I would get a dozen laser cut in stainless and advertise them on the bay!! Check for sideplay on the needle rod bushings, or play in the swing needle mechanism if applicable.
Phil

I was gifted the machine, and I suspect the previous owner was using heavy fabric and flexing the needle on more than one occasion hence all the needle strikes.
I suspect it is all on the one side because the default straight stitch is with the needle positioned to that side of the foot (you can choose left, middle or right)..
There's no play in the bearings and the needle can move left to right for some of the more complex stictch patterns as well as the teeth under the foot plate can also move the fabric backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally!
Can laser cutting produce a nice clean edge, there are also some threaded holes through the plate in addition to the countersunk ones on top.
It all comes down to cost, the machine when new was over £3k and this is the only defect. I just need a functioning machine, happy to spend up to £100 to repair but abive that I might as well get a less complex machine second hand. Seems a shame to bin it just for this issue.

 

[Beanwood]

What advice do Brother support give - there are as you say many which are similar and I notice the design tends to be in several parts now.

 

[hairyone]

What advice do Brother support give - there are as you say many which are similar and I notice the design tends to be in several parts now.

I have spoken to them and the part is obsolete (XA9438201), no alternatives exist, they suggested scouring ebay and the internet.
There is a similar machine on sale on ebagt for £280 but that would be ridiculous!

 

[Bladevane]

What a shame. It looks a terrific machine from the pictures/description I have found. Such a pity you can't get the needle plate.

 

[octo0072000]

you need to try a old school jeweller might be able to repair that

 

[rich_c]

Is suggesting epoxy metal putty on a welding forum heresy?
I've not used it before but would it be an option? - Over-apply it and file it back just enough to leave as much meat as possible on the skeleton?

 

[Nomad]

Not sewing machine related but I've had impressive repairs done by old school jewelers (look for a place with and older chap working alone and doing repairs on-site).

I'm sure I've seen discussions on here in the past about swing / stitching / leatherwork / creative artwork but can't remember who was posting. @mrsbruce ?

 

[Guzrik]

Not sewing machine related but I've had impressive repairs done by old school jewelers (look for a place with and older chap working alone and doing repairs on-site).

I'm sure I've seen discussions on here in the past about swing / stitching / leatherwork / creative artwork but can't remember who was posting. @mrsbruce ?

Don't know the name in English but people who fabricate dental metal braces often have a laserwelder.
Would make an easy job as you can simply built up and fuse stainless with 0.3mm spots without burning or even heat up the product.
At work we have a Rofin Select with a 20x magnification microscope and .4mm weldingwire.
I often let students have a go on it and they are always amazed about the ease of use and the strength of a weld.

 

[Newlands]

Have you identified what the material is yet? It may be stainless, but it may also be satin-chrome plated or maybe nickel plated.
Brazing might be a possibility but if it doesn’t work it is then difficult to try any other sort of welding technique as it will be contaminated.
I don’t know anything about laser welding apart from watching YouTube videos but I think if it was me I would find someone with a laser welding facility as my first choice. If that doesn’t work maybe laser cutting is the next option - with the right set-up it would do the engraving as well. Tapping and countersinking the holes is the easy bit. A brazed or silver soldered repair would be my last resort I think.

 

[DAPPH]

Thanks, I've looked at many similar but not quite right needle plates and wondered if I could frankenstein something useable. But the bobbin access is different.
I did wonder if the slotted area could be cut out and replaced with a similar section from another plate, same as fixing a comples car body panel. The problem comes back to the original one of how to joine the two pieces ... silver solder, braze, tig, laser weld ?

Hairy one , the Brother UK sites says the needle plate in the link I put up is compatible with your machine & it's priced at under £20

 

[mcostello]

That takes all the fun out of it.

 

[Agroshield]

Hairy one , the Brother UK sites says the needle plate in the link I put up is compatible with your machine & it's priced at under £20

From his earlier post: "It's a Brother 3100D"

From the link you posted: "Compatable with the following machines: F420 NV1100 NV1300 NV1800Q NV2600"

And the pictures of the two items are a completely different shape. Images below:

---

Have you identified what the material is yet?

A magnet would give you an indication of its material (stainless is only weakly magnetic).

 

[DAPPH]

Whoops , dyslexia & grasshopper short term memory strikes yet again .......sorry

 

[hairyone]

I went to visit this place a couple of weekends ago ... old school jeweler (and a bit of an inventor to boot)

Jonathan Swan - The Workshop

Jonathan Swan - The Workshop, Lewes, East Sussex. 329 likes · 8 talking about this · 26 were here. An independant Jewellery workshop in the heart of Lewes, East Sussex. Commissions welcome. We also...

www.facebook.com

So the suggestion of trying a jeweller is a great idea! He was busy with the open day so will message him and see what he says!

 

[hairyone]

Oh and forgot to say it was strongly magnetic!
Jonathon the Jeweler came back to me and he's willing to have a go !!