HandiQuilter.com
Page 31
Troubleshooting
HQ 18 Avanté
™
User Manual 1.0
Page 22
Tension is Poor
Corrective Measure
“Fuzz” caught under the
tension spring in the bobbin
Poorly wound bobbin.
If using short staple threads, inexpensive or industrial threads or coated threads, lint and other
material will build up under the tension leaf spring and begin to lift the spring, reducing the
spring’s ability to compress against the thread. By inserting a needle under the spring and
clearing out the lint, the bobbin tension will return fairly close to its preset tension.
If the bobbin is wound too tight or too loose, this can lead to poor and inconsistent tension. Make
sure when the bobbin is wound that the thread tension is not so tight that the wound bobbin
thread feels hard and causes the bobbin to bulge when it is wound. It should also not be so
loose that the thread is spongy, causing the thread to tangle as it is wound.
Hand Wheel Won’t
Rotate
Corrective Measure
Thread is entangled and
caught in the hook
Turn off the machine and unplug the machine
from the electrical outlet. Lubricate the hook,
strongly turn the hand wheel clockwise and if necessary counterclockwise several times, and
then remove the thread caught in the hook.
Thread Nests Under
Quilt
Corrective Measure
Not enough tension on top
thread
Improper threading
Check that the machine is threaded correctly. Make certain that the thread is flossed snugly in
place between the two tension discs. If machine is threaded correctly, tighten top tension by
rotating the tension knob clockwise.
Refer to threading diagram and threading instructions (page 12).
Hard to Guide Machine
Corrective Measure
Carriage wheels not centered
on track
Thread caught in wheels
Center the carriage wheels on top of the continuous track. Check that the machine carriage has
not “jumped” track.
Remove all thread or debris in wheels. Check that the tracks are free of lint and threads.
Motor Fails to Run
Corrective Measure
On/Off switch turned off
Machine not receiving power
Turn the machine on by using the switch on the back power pod.
Check that the power connector is securely plugged into the back of the machine and the three-
prong end is plugged into the power source.
Uneven Quilt Design
Corrective Measure
Take-up rollers may be
bowed or bent
Leaders are stretched/worn
Make certain the fabric is not rolled too tight, causing the poles to bow. Check that poles are
inserted completely together with the push pin engaged so bowing won’t occur.
If fabric is beginning to stretch or fray, contact Handi Quilter for replacement leaders.
Thread Backlash
Corrective Measure
Bobbin thread tangles within
the bobbin case, tangles and
winds onto the hook spindle,
or occasionally forms loops
on the bottom of the quilt.
The bobbin should sit in the bobbin case such that one side is very minimally above the edge
of the bobbin case and if you lightly press down on the bobbin, it descends slightly into the case.
To adjust the backlash spring, place the bobbin in the case and hold it with the bobbin facing up.
Then use a tiny screw driver to adjust the screw on the outside front shiny surface of the bobbin
case (not the screw inside the bobbin case. Turn the screw counterclockwise to raise the
backlash spring (and raise the bobbin) or turn it clockwise to lower the backlash spring
(and lower the bobbin). After making an adjustment, reinsert the bobbin into the machine,
bring up the bobbin thread, and test stitching. Make additional adjustments if necessary.
