Janome Compulock 888 Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION

BOOK

CompuLock

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

When using an electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following. Read all instructions before using this sewing machine.

DANGER – To reduce the risk of electric shock:

1.An appliance should never be left unattended when plugged in. Always unplug this appliance from the electrical outlet immediately after using and before cleaning.

2.Always unplug before relamping. Replace bulb with same type rated 13.5 Vac, 3 Watts.

3.Do not reach for the appliance that has fallen into water. Unplug immediately.

4.Do not place or store appliance where it can fall or be pulled into a tub or sink. Do not place in or drop into water or other liquid.

WARNING – To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons:

1.Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when this appliance is used by or near children.

2.Use this appliance only for its intended use as described in this manual. Use only attachments recommended by the manufacturer as contained in this manual.

3.Never operate this appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, if it has been dropped or damaged, or dropped into water. Return the appliance to the nearest authorized dealer or service center for examination, repair, electrical or mechanical adjustment.

4.Never operate the appliance with any air opening blocked. Keep ventilation openings of the sewing machine and foot controller free from accumulation of lint, dust and loose cloth.

5.Never drop or insert any object into any opening.

6.Do not use outdoors.

7.Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.

8.To disconnect, turn all controls to the off position, then remove plug outlet.

9.Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.

10.Keep fingers away from all moving parts. Special care is required around the sewing machine needle and knives.

11.Always use the proper needle plate. The wrong plate can cause the needle to break.

12.Do not use bent needles.

13.Do not pull or push fabric while stitching. It may deflect the needle causing it to break.

14.Switch the sewing machine off when making any adjustment in the needle area, such as threading needle, changing needle, threading loopers, or changing presser foot, and the like.

15.Always unplug the sewing machine from the electrical outlet when removing covers, lubricating, or when making any other user servicing adjustments mentioned in the instruction manual.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

When using your overlock machine for the first few times, place some waste fabric under the presser foot and run the machine without thread for a few minutes. Wipe away any oil which may have appeared.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SECTION 1 PREPARATION
• Names of Parts ......................................................................................................	3
• Attaching the Waste Chip Box ...............................................................................	4
• Storing the Accessory Box ....................................................................................	4
• Standard Accessories............................................................................................	4
SECTION 2 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
• Plug in the Machine and Switch on Power............................................................	5
• To Sew Using Foot Control ...................................................................................	5
• Controlling Sewing Speed .....................................................................................	5
• How to Turn Handwheel ........................................................................................	6
• Opening and Closing the Side Cover ....................................................................	6
• Opening and Closing the Looper Cover ................................................................	7
• The Position of Telescoping Thread Guide Bar ....................................................	7
• Attaching the Spool Cap and Net ..........................................................................	8
• Raising or Lowering the Presser Foot ...................................................................	8
• Up/Down Needle Position Key ..............................................................................	8
• Screen Sharpness Adjusting Knob .......................................................................	8
• How to Set the Needles ........................................................................................	9
• Safety System......................................................................................................	10
• Threading the Machine........................................................................................	10
* Four – Thread Operation ...............................................................................	11
* Threading the Lower Looper ....................................................................	12–14
* Threading the Upper Looper ....................................................................	15–16
* Threading the Right Needle .....................................................................	17–18
* How to Use Needle Threader ........................................................................	18
* Threading the Left Needle .......................................................................	19–20
* Threading the Double Chain Looper ........................................................	21–23
• Changing to Two – or Three – Thread Serging with Spreader ...........................	23
• Visual Touch Screen Operations ...................................................................	24–25
• To Change Screen Language .............................................................................	24
• Automatic Thread Tension Display Screen .........................................................	25
• Choose the Needle and Thread......................................................................	25
* Check the Needle.........................................................................................	25
• Stitch Package ....................................................................................................	26
• Standard Machine Settings for Automatic Thread Tension .................................	27
• Stitch Pattern with Machine Setting ....................................................................	28
• Manual Adjustment of Thread Tension ................................................................	29
• Manual Setting, Memory and View for Thread Tension ................................	29–30
• Stitch Pattern and Threading ........................................................................	31–35
1. OVERLOCK4 ................................................................................	31

2.OVERLOCK 3 (STANDARD), OVEREDGE 3 (STANDARD), ROLLED HEM 3,FLATLOCK 3 (STANDARD), NARROW HEM,

PICOT EDGE ................................................................................	31
3. OVERLOCK 3 (WIDE), OVEREDGE 3 (WIDE),
FLATLOCK 3 (WIDE) ....................................................................	32

1

4. OVEREDGE 2 (STANDARD), ROLLED HEM 2,
FLATLOCK 2 (STANDARD),
WRAPPED OVERLOCK 2 (STANDARD)........................................	32
5. OVEREDGE 2 (WIDE), FLATLOCK 2 (WIDE),
WRAPPED OVERLOCK 2 (WIDE) .................................................	32
6. WRAPPED OVERLOCK 3 ..............................................................	33
7. COVER STITCH ..............................................................................	33
8. OVERLOCK 5 ................................................................................	34
9. DOUBLE CHAIN ............................................................................	35
SECTION3TESTSTITCHING
• Starting Sewing .................................................................................................	36
• Finishing Sewing ................................................................................................	36
• Sewing Continuously ........................................................................................	36
• How to Use the Guide Lines ............................................................................	36
• Securing Ends ....................................................................................................	37
• Thread Tension Adjustment .............................................................................	38
* Thread Tension (4 threads) ....................................................................	38–39
* Thread Tension (3 threads) ..........................................................................	40
* Rolled Hem 3 ................................................................................................	41
* Narrow Hem..................................................................................................	42
* Picot Edge ....................................................................................................	42
* Thread Tension (2 threads) ..........................................................................	43
* Thread tension (cover stitch) ......................................................................	44
* Thread tension (double chain) ...................................................................	45
• To Adjust Stitch Length .....................................................................................	46
• To Adjust Differential Feed Ratio .....................................................................	46
• To Deactivate the Upper Knife .......................................................................	47
• To Activate the Upper Knife ............................................................................	47
• Adjustment of Cutting Width...........................................................................	48
• Adjustment of Chaining Finger Setting Knob ................................................	49
• Adjusting of Foot Pressure ................................................................................	50
• Removing the Presser Foot ..............................................................................	50
• Attaching the Presser Foot ..............................................................................	50
• How to Replace the Needle Plate .................................................................	50
• How to Replace the Extension Table .............................................................	51
• How to Change the Upper Looper Position ..................................................	51
SECTION 4 MAINTENANCE
• Replacing the Light Bulb..................................................................................	52
• Cleaning the Feed Dog ...................................................................................	52
• Cleaning the Upper Knife Area ......................................................................	53
• Replacing the Upper Knife ..............................................................................	53
• Oiling the Machine...........................................................................................	54
• Troubleshooting ................................................................................................	54

2

SECTION1PREPARATION

		Names of Parts
	3	1	Visual touch screen
1		2	Thread guide indication
2		3	Pressure adjusting dial
4		4	Screen sharpness adjusting knob
5
		5	Up/Down needle position key
6		11
		6	Side cover
		10	Looper cover
		7
		8	Handwheel
		9	Power switch
	9	10	Differential feed dial
12	7
	8	11	Stitch length dial
	15	12	Extension table (A)
16	14	13	Double chain looper
17	13	14	Lower looper
		15 Upper looper
		16	Upper knife
		17	Chaining finger setting knob
		18	Presser foot
19	18
		19	Needle plate
		20	Cutting width adjusting dial
20		21 Upper knife release knob

21

3

2

1

1

2

1

3

2	4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11 12

15

14

13

Attaching the Waste Chip Box

Press the waste chip box against the looper cover and slide it to the left until the pin on the waste chip box slides into the hole on the side plate, as illustrated.

1 Waste chip box

2 Pin

Storing the Accessory Box

Insert the accessory box into the waste chip box.

1 Waste chip box

2 Accessory box

Standard Accessories

1 Nets

2 Spool caps

3 Set of needles

4 Upper knife

5 Spreader

6 Screwdriver (large)

7 Screwdriver (small)

8 Tweezers

9 Lint brush

10 Spanner/wrench

11 Oil

12 Needle threader

13 Needle plate (B) for Cover Stitch

14 Presser foot (B) for Cover Stitch

15 Extension table (B)

4

SECTION2OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS

“ For appliances with a polarized plug (one blade wider than the other).

To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug is intended to fit in a polarized outlet only oneway.

If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug.

If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet.

Do not modify the plug in anyway.”

*Foot control Model 21371 for use with Sewing Machine Model 888(Compulock)

(For U.S.A. market only.)

Plug in the Machine and Switch on Power

Before connecting the power supplycord, make sure the voltage and frequency shown on the machine conform to your electrlcal power.

For Your Safety

*While in operation, always keep your eye on the sewing area,and do not touch any moving parts such as the upper looper, handwheel, needle or knives.

*Always disconnect the machine from the power supply:

When leaving the machine unattended. When attaching or removing parts.

When threading or cleaning the machine. * Do not place anything on the foot control,

except when in use.

8

4		1	To Sew Using Foot Control
			1	Turn off the power switch. Connect the foot
	3
				control plug and the machine plug into to the
	7		6	machine socket.
	2		2	Connect the power supply plug to your
				power supply.
				1	Power switch	2	Foot control plug
		5		3	Machine plug	4	Machine socket
				5	Power supply plug	6	Power supply
				7	Power supply cord	8	Foot control

Controlling Sewing Speed

Sewing speed can be varied by the foot control.The harder press on the foot control, the faster the machine runs.

Note:

* The Compulock is equipped with a protective circuit to prevent overheating.

The machine will stop automatically if it is running overloaded for a long time.

In such a case, follow the message that appears on the visual touch screen.

There are five motors for thread tension adjustment inside the machine which make a bit of noise intializing when first turned on.

This sound is perfectly normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

5

How to Turn Handwheel

Always turn the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise).

1 Handwheel

1

Opening and Closing the Side Cover

To open:

Push the side cover to the left.

To close:

Push the side cover to the right and

slightly toward the machine body.

1

1 Side cover

For Your Safety:

Always close both the side and looper covers when the machine is in use.

6

Opening and Closing the Looper Cover

To open:

While pushing with the thumb to the right as far as it will go, pull looper cover toward you.

To close:

Lift looper cover and push against the machine. The looper cover snaps into the position automatically.

1 Looper cover

1

			The Position of Telescoping Thread
			Guide Bar
1 , 2		1
			1 Pull the telescoping thread guide bar
			up as far as it will go.
	4		2 Turn the thread guide bar until it clicks
			into position.
			Thread guides should stop directly
		2	above the spool pins.
			3

1 Telescoping thread guide bar

2 Stoppers

3 Spool pin

4 Thread guide

7

Attaching the Spool Cap and Net

1	1	2	1	When you use a small thread spool, remove
		3		the spool holder from the spool pin.
				Then place the spool with its slit side up, and
			4	put a spool cap on top.
			2	If the thread slips down from the spool while
				threading or sewing, put a net on the
				spool, as illustrated, to prevent jamming.
2				The nets are supplied with the machine.
				1	Spool holder
				2	Spool cap
				3	Slit
				4	Spool pin
				5	Net
		5
			Raising or Lowering the Presser Foot
				By raising or lowering the presser foot lifter,
				the presser foot goes up and down.
				* While in operation, keep the presser foot
				lowered except for when threading the
				machine.
				Thread tension will be released when the presser
			2	foot lifter is raised.
	1			1	Presser foot lifter
				2	Presser foot

Up/Down Needle Position Key

Press the Up/Down needle position key to bring the needle to its lowest position.

When pressed again, the needle goes up and stops

in the highest position.

1

1 Up/down needle position key

Screen Sharpness Adjusting Knob

The brightness of the screen can be changed by turning the sharpness adjusting knob.

1 Screen sharpness adjusting knob

1

8

3

4

2

1

10	9
12	11

6	a	5
8		7
	b

c

d

e

How to Set the Needles

*Please use a size 11 or 14 needle.

*There are 4 holes for inserting needles, depending on the desired stitch selection. Make sure all 4 screws are tightened even if no needle is inserted in the clamp.

1 Needle

2 Flat side

3 Needle clamp screw (4 screws)

4 Screwdriver

5 RB (Right Back)

6 LB (Left Back)

7 RF (Right Front)

8 LF (Left Front)

9 Needle clamp screw for RB

10Needle clamp screw for LB

11Needle clamp screw for RF

12Needle clamp screw for LF

To remove a needle

Disconnect the machine from the power supply. Raise the needle to its highest position.

Then loosen the needle clamp screw to remove the needle.

To replace a needle

To attach the needle, insert it into the needle clamp, flat side to the back.

Slide it all the way up until it stops, then tighten the needle clamp screw.

a 4 threads or wrapped overlock 3 b 2 or 3 threads

c Cover stitch d 5 threads

eDouble chain

* Do not use any needle which is bent or blunt.

9

Safety System

You can operate the machine easily and safely because of the following major safety functions.

The machine does not run when you pressed the foot control because...

1 The looper cover or side cover is opened when you start sewing. 2 Presser foot lifter is raised.

3 The needle plate is not appropriate for the chosen stitch pattern.

4 The upper looper setting dial is in the incorrect position for the chosen stitch pattern. 5 The upper knife is in the incorrect position for the chosen stitch pattern.

The above error messages will appear on the visual touch screen when you press the foot control.

However, you can press OK key to ignore the warning and accept the upper knife position (activated or deactivated). This may be appropriate for certain special stitches/operations.

		1		Threading the Machine
6	5	4	3	2

1 Thread guide

2 Double chain looper thread

3 Lower looper thread

4 Upper looper thread

5 Right needle thread

6 Left needle thread

A convenient threading chart is placed the machine body inside the looper cover.

7

7 Threading chart

* The machine has been threaded with 4 threads (Overlock 4) at the factory for popular sewing.

10

FourThread Operation

Turn off the power switch before threading the machine.

The machine has been threaded at the factory with short length of thread.

To thread the machine with your own thread, tie it firmly to the upper end of the thread in the machine, then raise the presser foot and pull the other end.

For the needle threads, pull the bottom end of thread until the knot comes to the needle eye, and cut on both sides of the knot.

If the machine becomes unthreaded, thread the lower looper first, then the upper looper, needle on the right and needle on the left.

* A convenient threading chart is placed the machine body inside the looper cover.

When first threading the machine, or rethreading

1, 2, 3		3	after a break, please do the following:
			1	Turn the handwheel toward you until the
	1
				needles are in the full up position, and pull
				out about 10 cm (4”) of thread from the tip
				of the upper looper.
			2	Pull out 10 cm (4”) of thread from the tip of
				the lower looper.
			3	Pull out 10 cm (4”) of needle thread and
				draw it toward the back of the machine
				under the presser foot.
		2		Now, lower the presser foot and sew.
				1	Upper looper thread
				2	Lower looper thread
				3	Needle threads

Incorrect threading will cause skipped stitches, broken thread or uneven thread tension.

Before starting to sew, make sure that your machine is threaded properly.

11

1

2

3

10 11

9

4

6

	8	5
		7

Threading the Lower Looper

Open the looper cover.

Raise the presser foot lifter.

Place a spool of thread on the spool pin second from the right.

*The points to thread for lower looper are marked in light green.

*A convenient threading chart is placed on the machine body inside the looper

cover.

1	1	1 Draw the thread through the thread guide

second from the right from back to front.

1 Thread guide

12

2 2 Slide the thread under the top cover thread

guide second from the right side, as illustrated.

2 Top cover thread guide

2

3 Hold the thread at both ends and tug gently

to ensure the thread is correctly inserted in

3

the thread tension unit.

3 Thread tension unit

3

4 Pass the thread through the center of the

4, 5, 6	looper thread guide, as illustrated.
	4 Looper thread guide
	5, 6
	Pass the thread through the two lower looper

4thread guides, as shown.

5 Lower looper thread guide (1)

6 Lower looper thread guide (2)

65

7, 8

7 Pass the thread through the looper thread

take-up lever (lower).

8	Pass the thread through the lower looper
	thread guide (3), as illustrated.
	7	Looper thread take-up lever (lower)
8	8	Lower looper thread guide (3)
7

13

9	9	Turn the handwheel toward you to move
		the lower looper to the right side.
		Then, push down the lower looper thread
		guide (4) with your finger, as illustrated.
		In this way, the lower looper thread guide (4)
		and (5) are moved to the right for easy
	9	threading.
	10	Pass the thread through lower looper thread
		guides (4) and (5), as illustrated.

9 Lower looper thread guide (4)

10

			10 Lower looper thread guide (5)
			Holding the end of the thread, push the
			lower looper thread guide (4) up with your
10			other hand to return it to its original position,
			as illustrated.
			Lower looper thread guides (4) and (5) will
			return to their original position automatically
			when you turn the handwheel toward you.
			11 Move the lower looper to its rightmost
11	11		position by turning the handwheel, and
			pass the thread through the hole in the lower
			looper with the tweezers 10 cm (4") or more.
			Make sure the needle threads are not
			tangled in the lower looper and close the
			looper cover.
	12	12	11	Lower looper
			12 Needle thread
			X= incorrect
				= correct
			How to Thread Woolly Nylon or
			Polyester Thread
	1		* The illustration to the left demonstrates a
			convenient way to thread the lower looper
			with woolly nylon or polyester thread.
			Use the same method with the upper looper.
	3		1	Lower looper
2			2	Ordinary thread
			3	Woolly nylon or polyester thread

14

Threading the Upper Looper

1

	Open the looper cover.
	Raise the presser foot lifter.
	* Place a spool of thread on the
2	center spool pin.

* The points to thread for the upper

3

looper are marked in red.

* A convenient threading chart is placed on the machine body

inside the looper cover.

8

7

5 4

6

1

1

1Draw the thread through the center guide from back to front.

		1 Thread guide
	2	Slide the thread under the top
2		cover thread guide third from the
		right, as illustrated.
		2 Top cover thread guide
2	3	Hold the thread at both ends and
		tug gently to ensure the thread is
3		correctly inserted in the thread
		tension unit.

3 Thread tension unit

3

15