I recently purchased a Riccar model 8400 sewing machine that was in excellent condition, complete with many attachments, tools and manual. After many attempts, I just can't get the needle to pick up the bobbin thread. The needle is new and is inserted correctly, and the bobbin is also inserted correctly into the casing , so I'm thinking that a machine retiming is the next step to try and I was hoping you would be able to tell me how to retime my machine. Thank you for any help you can provide. :)

Jody, November 2012

to time you gonna have to remove covers to get to timing gear at back of hook and also a l key spanner.to check timing have to remove bobin case for ease of looking at hook in relation to needle position.move handwheel in working direction until needle start with upward motion,approx 5mm from bottom turning point needle eye should be almost or very close to hook point.if timing is correct needle eye should be approx 1.2mm below hook point when hook point is flush with needle side.by loosening gear at back you can move hook while holding neeedle at fixed position.play around moving hook litlle by little back and fro until thread is picked up while machine on zig zag.happy hunting

johan, November 2012