Kompernass KH 4300 User Manual

6

Overlock Sewing Machine

KH 4300

KOMPERNASS GMBH · BURGSTRASSE 21 · D-44867 BOCHUM

www.kompernass.com

ID-Nr.: KH4300-03/09-V3

Overlock Sewing Machine

Operating instructions

KH 4300

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CONTENT PAGE

Intended Usage 3

Safety instructions 3

Technical Data 4

Items supplied 4

Description of the appliance 5

Preparation 5

Adjusting the thread tree .................................................................................................................5

Bobbin supports................................................................................................................................5

Bobbin caps ......................................................................................................................................6

Connecting the foot pedal .............................................................................................................6

Controlling the sewing speed..........................................................................................................6

Safety switch .....................................................................................................................................6

Fitting the waste container...............................................................................................................6

Handwheel........................................................................................................................................6

Front flap ...........................................................................................................................................6

Opening the free arm ......................................................................................................................7

Threading yarns into the looper......................................................................................................7

Threading yarns into the needle .....................................................................................................8

Trial run..............................................................................................................................................9

Setting the thread tension 10

Adjusting thread tension on the needle threads ........................................................................11

Adjusting thread tension on the looper threads..........................................................................11

Overview of the machine adjustments.........................................................................................12

Changing threads (binding together) 13

Setting the stitch length 13

Setting the cutting width 14

Exchanging needles 14

Replacing bulbs 15

Exchanging the upper blade 15

- 1 -

Close and broad sewing with three threads 16

Sewing freehanded 16

Adjusting the sewing foot 16

Hemstitch and edging 17

Sewing hemstitch 17

Sewing narrow edging 17

Differential feed motion 18

Manner of operation .....................................................................................................................18

Setting the differential feed motion ..............................................................................................18

Uneven material edges and smoothness.....................................................................................19

Avoid ruffles by stretching.............................................................................................................19

Troubleshooting 20

Cleaning and care 21

Storage 21

Disposal 21

Warranty and Service 22

Importer 22

Read the operating instructions carefully before using the appliance for the first time and preserve this
booklet for later reference. Pass the manual on to whomsoever might acquire the appliance at a later date.

- 2 -

OVERLOCK SEWING
MACHINE KH 4300

Intended Usage

This overlock sewing machine is intended ...
– for use as a portable machine,
– for the trimming of material edges (sewing) of

typical household textiles, and ...

– only for domestic household use.

This overlock sewing machine is not intended ...

- to be installed at a permanent location,
– for the processing of other materials (e.g. leather,

canvas, sailcloth and other heavy materials),

- for commercial or industrial use.

Safety instructions

• Arrange for defective power plugs and/or cables
to be replaced at once by qualified technicians
or our Customer Service Department.

• This appliance is not intended for use by indivi­duals (including children) with restricted physical,
physio-logical or intellectual abilities or deficien­ces in experience and/or knowledge unless they
are supervised by a person responsible for their
safety or receive from this person instruction in
how the appliance is to be used.

• Children should be supervised to ensure that
they do not play with the appliance.

• Never use the machine when the ventilation
apertures are blocked. Keep the ventilation
apertures of the machine and the foot switch
free from fluff, dust and waste material.

• Should the cable connected to the foot pedal
become damaged, to avoid potential risks it must
be replaced by the manufacturer, his customers
services or a similarly qualified person.

Like any other electrical device, a sewing machine
can cause serious, even life-threatening injuries.
To avoid these, and to work safely:

• Always disconnect the power supply when leaving
the machine unattended. This will prevent the
risk of accidents if the machine is switched on
accidentally.

• First pull the power plug before changing the bulb
or performing maintenance work on the machine.
This will prevent possibly life-threatening electric
shocks.

• Do not pull the plug out of the wall socket by the
lead. When pulling out the plug, always hold the
plug, not the lead.

• Only use the sewing machine in dry rooms.

Warning about injuries and
material damages:

• Keep your work space tidy. An untidy workplace
can lead to accidents.

• Provide adequate lighting when working!

• Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery, as these
can be caught in moving parts. You should also
wear a hair net if you have long hair.

• Avoid adopting an unusual posture. Remain steady
and in a well-balanced position at all times.

• If accidents occur as a result of handling the ma­chine with insufficient care, or failure to follow
the safety instructions in this manual, then the
manufacturer cannot accept liability.

• Never cover the ventilation slots! Risk of over­heating!

- 3 -

Technical Data

Items supplied

Number of threads 4 or 3
Number of needles 2 or 1
Sewing speed 1100 Revs/min
Stitch width 6 mm with 4 threads

6 mm or 4 mm with 3

threads
Stitch length 1 – 5 mm
Needles HA x 1 Nr. 11-14 or

130/705 Nr. 75-90
Power consumption : Motor: 90 W

Bulb: 15 W

Total: 105 W
Rated voltage: 230 V ~, 50Hz
Protection class: II

Bulb power: 15 W
Bulb voltage: 230 V / ~50 Hz
Bulb thread: E14 thread

The sound intensity level under normal operating
conditions amounts to 78dB(A).

Foot pedal

Use only the foot pedal originally supplied with this
sewing machine:

- ELECTRONIC FDM Speed Controller

- Type KD-2902

Overlock Sewing Machine
Oil
Waste container
Accessory box
Operating instructions

Replacement
(upper blade)

2 Needles Nr. 11
4 Needles Nr. 14
(2 in the machine,
pre-installed)

4 Bobbin caps

4 Spool pin
(preinstalled)

Allen key

Flat-headed screw­driver

Covering hood

Pincers

Brush

- 4 -

Description of the appliance

Preparation

1 Thread tree
2 Thread tension selector (lower looper)
3 Spool support
4 Cold air intake
5 Connection Footpedal/Power supply
6 Handwheel
7 Power switch (On/Off switch)
8 Front flap
9 Arm support
0 Free arm
q Thread tension selector (left needle)
w Thread tension selector (right needle)
e Thread tension selector (upper looper)
r Thread guide
t Thread guide plate
z Adjustment wheel for stitch length
u Adjustment wheel for differential feed motion
i Adjustment wheel for cutting width
o Sewing foot
p Lower blade
a Upper blade
s Upper looper
d Lower looper
f Release lever PUSH
g Connection plug
h Foot pedal
j Power plug
k Waste container

Place the overlock sewing machine on a stable and
level surface. Ensure there is sufficient illumination at
your workplace.

Adjusting the thread tree

Completely withdraw the thread tree 1 before
threading.
Turn the thread tree 1 so that the thread guides
stand exactly above the spool supports 3.

Bobbin supports

Both industrial bobbins and household bobbins can
be used with this machine.
For industrial bobbins with a large diameter place
the bobbins supports in with the broad end to the
top, for bobbins with a small diameter place the
support in with the narrow end to the top.

- 5 -

Bobbin caps

If using non-industrial thread bobbins, remove the
bobbin supports and place the bobbin caps on the
thread bobbins.

Connecting the foot pedal

Insert the plug of the footpedal g into the connection
for the footpedal 5 and the power plug j into a
mains power socket.
To switch the machine on, press the power switch 7.

Attention!

During absences from the machine or when doing
maintenance work, always remove the plug j from
the mains power socket. Injury hazard!

Safety switch

This machine is fitted with a micro safety switch. You
cannot start the machine if the front flap 8 is open.
Close the front flap 8 before you start to sew.

Fitting the waste container

The waste container k collects remnants during
sewing, so that your workplace stays tidy. Place the
waste container k between the machine and the
table.

Handwheel

Note:

Always turn the handwheel 6 towards yourself,
that is, in the same direction as with a domestic
sewing machine.

Controlling the sewing speed

The sewing speed is controlled by means of the
footpedal h. The sewing speed is changed by ap­plying more or less pressure to the footpedal h.

Front flap

To open the front flap 8, slide it as far as possible
to the right and, at the same time, draw it towards
yourself.

- 6 -

Opening the free arm

For threading the yarns the free arm 0 must be
opened.

1. Pull the arm support 9 off to the side.

2. Open the front flap 8.

3. Press the release lever "PUSH" f and, at the

same time, pull the free arm 0 downwards.

Correct threading is important, so that the stitches
are not irregular and that the yarn does not break.
On the inner side of the front flap 8 there is a guide
to threading. Additionally, the thread guides are
marked in various colours.
In the accessory box you will find pincers, the use
of which helps make threading easier.
Threading takes place in this sequence:

1. First step: Upper looper s (green)

2. Second step: Lower looper d (blue)

3. Third step: Right needle (yellow)

4. Fourth step: Left needle (red)

For simplification, the individual steps are numbered
on the illustrations (1

1. Open the front flap 8 and free arm 0.

2. Turn the handwheel 6 to yourself until the looper s

is in the most favourable position for threading.

3. Thread the upper and lower looper yarns as
shown.

, 2 w, 3 e, 4 r, ...).

q

Threading yarns into the looper

Attention!

Before starting to thread yarns, ALWAYS place the
power switch 7 at OFF and remove the plug j.
This will prevent an unintentional starting of the ap­pliance. If you do not, you run a risk of serious injury!

Thread tree 1 (on the right)

Thread guide r and thread guide plate t
(on the right)

Note:

The yarn must lie correctly between the two discs of
the thread tension selector 2/e.

- 7 -

Thread tension selector 2 e

4. Pull the end of the thread about 10 cm (4”) out
from the looper eyelet.

5. Lift the sewing foot o and slide the thread under
it; then lower the sewing foot o back down. The

lever for lifting and lowering the sewing foot o
is located at the rear of the machine, above the

sewing lever rod system.

Position the lever to lift the sewing foot o

Thread routing on from the thread guide plate 8

Threading yarns into the needle

For simplification, the individual steps are numbered
on the illustrations (1

1. Turn the handwheel 6 to yourself until the needles

stand fully at the top.

2. Thread the left and right yarns as shown.

Thread tree 1 (on the left)

, 2 w, 3 e, 4 r, ...).

q

Thread routing behind the front flap 8

Thread guide r and thread guide plate t
(on the left)

- 8 -

Note:

The yarn must lie correctly between the two discs of
the thread tension selector.

Thread tension selector q w

Thread routing on from the thread guide plate 8

4. Pull the end of the thread about 10 cm (4“ )
out from the eyes of the needles. Lift the sewing
foot o and slide the thread under it; then lower
the sewing foot o back down. The lever for lifting
and lowering the sewing foot o is located at the
rear of the machine, above the sewing lever rod
system.

further thread routing

3. Guide the yarn, as shown, from front to back
through the eyes of the needles.

Position the lever to lift the sewing foot o

Trial run

When yarn has been threaded for the first time,
or after a yarn breakage it must be rethreaded,
proceed as follows:

Lift the sewing foot o.
Hold the ends of the threads between the fingertips
of your left hand, slowly turn the handwheel 6 two
or three times towards yourself and then check the
threads once again.

- 9 -

Lay the material for a trial run under the sewing
foot o and slowly start to sew.
The material will be automatically fed through.

Setting the thread tension

The thread tension required is variable, being depen­dant itself on the type and thickness of the thread
and fabric.

Check the seams and then adjust the appropriate
thread tension on the machine.

Tensioning the thread

When you turn the tensioning device to a lower
number, the tension reduces.
When you turn the tensioning device to a higher
number, the tension increases. The wheels of the
tensioning device have the following colours:

yellow

green

red

blue

When the task is complete, continue sewing until an
approximately 5cm (2") long length of threads has
formed at the end of the material.

Cut through the threads with scissors.

Correct thread tension:

Thread, right needle

Reverse

Thread, left needle

lower looper thread

upper looper thread

- 10 -

Adjusting thread tension on the needle
threads

Adjusting thread tension on the looper
threads

The tread tension on the left needle
is too loose.
Adjust tension on the left thread.

The tread tension on the right needle
is too loose.
Adjust tension on the right thread.

The lower looper thread is firm and/or the
upper looper thread is loose.
Loosen the tension of the lower
looper thread and/or tighten the
upper looper thread.

The upper looper thread is firm and/or the
lower looper thread is loose.
Loosen the tension of the upper
looper thread and/or tighten the
lower looper thread.

- 11 -

Overview of the machine adjustments

The most appropriate thread tension adjustment for one type of material is not necessarily the ideal adjust­ment for a different material.
The thread tensions required are dictated by the pliability and thickness of the material as well as the type
and thickness of the thread.
When necessary, adjust thread tensions as per this table:

Fabric Thread Needles Stitch length

Light:

• Georgette

• Muslin

• Batiste

• Dress fabric

• Crepe de Chine

• Silk

Medium weight:

• Cotton

• Poplin

• Waterproofed
cotton

• Corduroy

• Cotton

• Polyester

Nr. 80 - 100

• Cotton

• Polyester

Nr. 60 - 100

HA x 1
Nr. 11

130 / 705H
Nr. 80

HA x 1
Nr. 11 - 14

130 / 705H
Nr. 80 - 90

Thread tension

adjustment

2.0 - 3.5 mm

• Standard

2.5 mm

2.0 - 3.5 mm

• Standard

2.5 mm

Heavy:

• Denim

• Tweed

• Velour

• Cotton

• Polyester

Nr. 50 - 80

HA x 1
Nr. 14

130 / 705H
Nr. 90

- 12 -

2.5 - 4.0 mm

• Standard
3 mm

Changing threads
(binding together)

With the following procedure, changing threads is
quite simple:

1. Cut the yarn above the spindle and knot the
ends of the new and the old thread together.

2. Place the thread tension selector 2/q/w/e
at "0" and lift the sewing foot o.

3. Pull on the other end of the yarn until the knot
passes under the sewing foot o.

4. For threading it in the needle, pull on the other
end until the knot is in the eye of the needle and
then cut the yarn to the left and right of the knot.
Then carry out the rethreading.

Setting the stitch length

The stitch length can be adjusted in nine steps, from

1.0 to 5.0 mm. Almost all overlock work is
carried out with a stitch length of 2.5 – 3.5 mm.
Turn on the inner adjustment wheel for stitch length
z to adjust the stitch length:

Stitch Stitch length

Normal seams

Narrow edgings 1.0 - 2.0 mm

Hemstitching 1.0 - 2.0 mm

2.0 - 5.0 mm
Standard: 3.0 mm

- 13 -

Setting the cutting width

The appropriate cutting width is, from material to
material, variable. Each time test the seams and
adjust the cutting width as follows:

1. Turn the handwheel 6 towards yourself until the
needles are in the lowest position.

2. Open the front flap 8.

3. Press the lever PUSH f. The free arm 0 lowers
itself and the adjustment wheel for the cutting
width i can be seen.

4. Turn the djustment wheel for the cutting width i.
With this you move the lower blade p. Continue
turning it until the looper threads are lying at the
edge of the material. When you turn in the direc­tion W (wide), the cutting width is broader.
When you turn in the direction N (narrow), the
cutting width is narrower.

Exchanging needles

Attention!

Before exchanging the needles, remove the power
plug. This prevents an unintended starting of the ma­chine. If you do not, you run a risk of serious injury!

1. Turn the handwheel 6 towards yourself until the

needles are in the highest position.

2. Open the front flap 8 and lower the sewing
foot o.

3. Loosen the setscrew against the needle with the
Allen key from the accessories box and then re­move the needle:

- upper left setscrew for the left needle

- lower right setscrew for the right needle.

Examples:
Select a narrower cutting width if the material edges
ruffle during sewing. For this, turn the adjustment
wheel for cutting width i to the right (N).

Select a larger cutting width if the yarn is being sewed
beyond the material edge. For this, turn the adjust­ment wheel for cutting width i to the left (W).

4. Insert the new needle, with the flat side to the
rear, into the needle mounting. Ensure that the
needle is inserted as far as is possible. Secure
the needle by retightening its setscrew.

When the needles have been correctly fitted, the
left needle stands a little higher than the right needle.
If the needles have not been correctly inserted, stitches
will occasionally be left out when sewing.
This machine is equipped with needles of the type
H.Ax1 (Needle system 130H) (for household ma­chines).

- 14 -

Replacing bulbs

Risk of electric shock

When changing bulbs, ALWAYS remove the plug j
from the mains power socket!

1. Remove the small round cover with a needle or
something similar.

2. Unscrew the screw completely.

3. Remove the lamp cover.

Note:

The lower blade p is manufactured from a special
material and normally does not need to be exchanged.
Should it at some time become nonetheless damaged,
please make contact with our Customer Services.

To exchange the upper blade a when it has become
blunt:

1. Open the front flap 8 and turn the handwheel 6

towards yourself until the needles are in the lowest
position.

2. Using the screwdriver, loosen the screw on the
upper blade holder and remove the upper
blade a.

Screwdriver

upper blade a

4. Exchange the bulb. Use a bulb of the type E14,
15 W.

5. Reassemble all of the parts in reverse order.

Exchanging the upper blade

Attention!

Before changing the blade a, ALWAYS remove the
plug j from the mains power socket. This prevents
an unintended starting of the machine. If you do
not, you run a risk of serious injury!

lower blade p

3. Insert a new upper blade a and lightly tighten

the screw on the blade holder.

4. Adjust the upper blade a to that its cutting edge
surmounts the cutting edge of the lower blade p
by about 0.5-1.0 mm.

5. Now firmly tighten the setscrew in the holder for
the upper blade a and close the front flap 8.

- 15 -

Close and broad sewing with
three threads

When sewing with this machine you can adjust from
four to three threads.
Remove either the left or the right needle (see section
"Exchanging needles") and the appropriate thread.
The machine is now ready for sewing with three
threads.

With exclusive use of the right needle, the stitching
length amounts to 4 mm (0.16“).

Sewing freehanded

Freehand operation is excellently suited for the
sewing of trouser legs, sleeves and cuffs etc.

Remove the arm support 9, as shown in the illustra­tion, to change from flatbed to free arm operation.

With exclusive use of the left needle, the stitching
length amounts to 6 mm (0.24“).

Adjusting the sewing foot

The special sewing foot o is adjusted to the posi­tion N on the countersunk screw at the front of the
sewing foot o for normal sewing operations.
Should you wish to sew a hemstitch, simply loosen
the large screw lightly and slide the small pin, which
protudes from the foot to the left, all the way in.
Now the letter R stands on the screw.

- 16 -

Pin

Sewing hemstitch

With the sewing of hemstitches the loops of the upper
looper thread should be pulled back to the underside
of the material. This is achieved by adjustment of the
thread tension, as described in the section "Setting
the thread tension".

Hemstitch and edging

For these two tasks proceed as follows:

1. In the section "Adjusting the sewing foot" reread

the instructions for adjusting the sewing foot o.

2. Turn the handwheel 6 to yourself until the needles

stand fully at the top.

3. Open the front flap 8 and remove the left needle

(see section " Exchanging needles").

4. Adjust the stitching length to 1.0 - 2.0 mm. Ensure
that the adjustment wheel for the differential
feed motion u is placed at “N”.

5. Adjust the stitching width as described in the sec­tion “Setting the cutting width”.

6. If a yarn is not threaded, now rethread a new
yarn.

7. Lay your material under the sewing foot o and
start to sew.

Note:

Before you begin to sew on your actual workpiece,
always check the adjustments for stitching length
and thread tension on a material remnant.

Note:

Always remember to return the adjustment for the
sewing foot o from this special to normal operation
(sewing tasks) after the sewing of hems.

lower

looper thread

upper

looper thread

Sewing narrow edging

If you wish to sew very thin or light materials, select
a suitable thread tension, as described in the sec­tion "Setting the thread tension".

needle thread

upper

looper thread

lower
looper thread

- 17 -

Important: If necessary, adjust the stitching length
and cutting width.

Hem stitching

Edging

Differential feed motion

With the differential feed motion uneven seams are
avoided in knitted materials, as well as the slippage
of textile positions. Additionally, the seams cause no
wrinkles in very light materials.

Manner of operation

The machine has two sets of toothed rack feeders,
one to the front and one to the rear. Both sets move
independant of each other. Through the differential
feed motion both toothed rack sets can move them­selves at various speeds.
The toothed transport racks move themselves in an
elliptical motion and thus transport the material:

rear front

Setting the differential feed motion

The differential feed motion is adjusted to the de­sired direction simply by turning the adjustment
wheel for the differential feed motion u.
"N" = "Neutral Position", the toothed rack feeders

move the material forward evenly.

"G" ="Gather Position", the front toothed rack feeders

push the material forward faster than the rear
ones. Thereby, elasticated material is not ex­tended.

"S" ="Stretch Position", the rear toothed rack feeders

push the material forward faster than the front
ones. Thereby, the front toothed rack feeders
hold the material tautly.

The differential feed motion can also be adjusted
during sewing.

- 18 -

Uneven material edges and smoothness

To obtain precise flat edges when sewing elasticated
materials, the front toothed rack feeders must push
forward faster than the rear ones, so that the material
is not stretched. For smoothness the front toothed
rack feeders must also work faster than the rear
ones. With a larger stitching length the material
stays easily smooth. Place the differential feed
motion at "G".

Avoid ruffles by stretching

To avoid seams casting wrinkles in very light materials
or fine nylons, the rear toothed rack feeders must
work faster than the front ones. Thereby the front
toothed rack feeders hold the material taut so that
it does not ruffle. Place the differential feed motion
at "S".

- 19 -

Troubleshooting

Problem Cause Solution

Needles break

Thread breaks

Stitches are omitted

Stitches are irregular

• Needles are bent, blunt or da­maged at the points.

• Needles are not correctly inserted.

• You have pulled the material too
heftily.

• Yarn has not been correctly
threaded.

• Thread tension is too high. • Reduce the thread tension.

• Needles are not correctly inserted.

• Needles are bent, blunt or da­maged at the points.

• Needles are not correctly inserted.

• Yarn has not been correctly
threaded.

• Incorrect needles are fitted.

• Thread tension is not correct. • Correct the thread tension.

• Thread is trapped.

• Fit new needles.

• Insert the needles into the retainers
correctly.

• Carefully guide the material with
both hands.

• Thread the yarn correctly.

• Insert the needles into the retainers
correctly.

• Fit new needles.

• Insert the needles into the retainers
correctly.

• Check the course of the individual
threads.

• Use the correct needles (HA x 1
or 130/705H)

• Check the course of the individual
threads.

Seams cause wrinkles

Material is not cut off cleanly

Material edges ruffle them­selves

• Thread tension is too high. • Adjust the thread tension.

• Yarn has not been correctly
threaded.

• Thread is blocked.

• Differential feed motion not
adjusted.

• Upper blade a is blunt or in-
correctly inserted.

• Too much material in a stitch. • Alter the seam width.

- 20 -

• Thread the yarn correctly.

• Check the course of the individual
threads.

• Place the differential feed motion
at "S".

• Change the blade a or insert it
correctly.

Cleaning and care

Attention:

ALWAYS remove the plug j from the mains power
socket before cleaning or lubricating the machine.
Otherwise there is the risk of you receiving an
electric shock!

To ensure that your machine works faultlessly at all
times, it must occasionally be cleaned with a brush.
This machine requires very little lubrication, as the
main components are manufactured from a special
material.
Only occasionally lubricate the designated positions:

Disposal

Do not dispose of the appliance in your
normal domestic waste. This product is
subject to the provisions of European
Directive 2002/96/EC.

Dispose of the appliance through an approved dis­posal centre or at your community waste facility.
Observe the currently applicable regulations.
In case of doubt, please contact your waste dispo­sal centre.

Dispose of all packaging materials in an
environmentally friendly manner.

Storage

Attention:

ALWAYS remove the plug j from the mains power
socket before storageing the machine.
This prevents an unintended starting of the machine.

When the machine is not in use, always cover it with
the hood. This will protect the machine from dust.
Store the machine at a clean and dry location.

- 21 -

Warranty and Service

Importer

This appliance comes with a 3 year warranty Purcha­se date. This appliance has been manufactured with
care and meticulously examined before delivery.
Please retain your receipt as proof of purchase. In
the case of a warranty claim, please make contact
by telephone with our service department. Only in
this way can a post-free despatch for your goods be
assured.
The warranty covers only claims for material and
maufacturing defects, not for wearing parts or for
damage to fragile components, e.g. buttons or bat­teries. This product is for private use only and is not
intended for commercial applications.
In the event of misuse and improper handling, use of
force and interference not carried out by our autho­rized service branch, the warranty will become
void. Your statutory rights are not restricted in any
way by this warranty.

DES Ltd

Units 14-15
Bilston Industrial Estate
Oxford Street
Bilston
WV14 7EG
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

KOMPERNASS GMBH
BURGSTRASSE 21
44867 BOCHUM, GERMANY

www.kompernass.com

Kompernass Service Ireland

Tel: [phone]

Standard call rates apply. Mobile operators may vary.

e-mail: [e-mail]

(0,082 EUR/Min.)

- 22 -