I purchased this used machine about 10 years ago, used it successfully, then let them sit about 7 years after some back surgery. I recently brought it out again, and after reading previous posts, I replaced the sponge bar and oiled the bottom of the carriages and the needle beds and bumps. The unit will now knit with a thin gauge yarn, but with many dropped stitches and issues. I have lowered the tension, and checked the needles, but as I am not proficient on the machines, I feel I am missing something. The tension seems tight to me, and also, the needles would not knit in the E position, as I was on the early lessons of the KnitKing book, which recommended 20 needles on each side at E, then every other one back to A. They would knit on B, but not on E, at E they squarely knocked into the unit that is screwed on (name escapes me now). I am quite proficient at embroidery sewing machines, but this is totally stumping me!

Jan Pytlarz, January 2013

Thank you Sue, I can absolutely lift the carriage off at any time. I will give it another go tonight. Thank you.

Jan Pytlarz, January 2013

Thank you Sue, I can absolutely lift the carriage off at any time. I will give it another go tonight. Thank you.

Jan Pytlarz, January 2013

Hi Jan,
The bit that screws on is the sinker plate. I suggest you remove it from the carriage, then remove the carriage from the needle bed. Your problem sounds as if the carriage is not seated properly.
Slide it on to the bed making sure it seats properly at the back and sits level at the front. You should not be able to lift it off if it is seated properly. Once you feel you have this correct, replace the sinker plate, lining up the notches on the carriage with the positioning holes in the sinker plate. When it is seated correctly tighten the thumb screws.

Hopefully this will sort out your problem.

Sue, January 2013