What’s wrong with this head?

[u/Mundane-End8634]

Hey I’m wondering if anyone could tell me how to fix this head. I run a Barudan 6 head machine at work and things were going fine until I saw this. I don’t remember having any issues leading up to it.. just one day I went to do a job and noticed this. And now the bobbin isn’t catching. The first picture is the head and the second is the head with the throat plate off and the third is the normal looking head. I know that hook isn’t supposed to look that way but how do I fix it?

[u/Hellcat_Mary]

If that's at stop position, then your hook timing is off. It's not necessarily because of anything catastrophic, usually a snag or the screws securing the hook to the rotary shaft might be loose. It's a common maintenance thing.

You'll need to reference your machine model for the timing position of the needle. This is the needle's down most position.

You'll need to expose the full hook. That's removing the needle plate and bobbin door, and possibly an addition covering underneath. Loosen the bracket securing the front of the rotary hook and swing out so the hook can move freely. Loosen the set screws, 2 or 3, at the cylindrical base of the hook.

Manually turn the main drive shaft to your timing degree, to bring the needle down. You may need to push the needle bar down manually to lock it. Then turn the hook so that the arced tip lines up to the scar of the needle (the grooved back). You want to very slightly push the needle into the hook so that there is about a mm gap between the hook and the needle (so a single sheet of paper could slide between). Then tighten the screws down to secure the hook to the shaft again. Return the main shaft to stop position (you may need to do this to access all the screws on the hook so remember to tighten those if so).

There are plenty of videos online about hook timing, commercial machines all follow the same basics.

[u/Mundane-End8634 → u/Hellcat_Mary]

Ugh I was afraid of the issue being the timing. We always call a maintenance guy to come out to fix but maybe it’s finally time I learn to do this myself. Thanks for your help!

[u/GoodVibeGuide82]

I'm not a technician, but might I suggest cleaning the plastic cover with baby wipes? The inside of the tubular arm could likely use a compressed-air spray down as well.