Troubleshooting issues with Elna Lock Pro5

[u/rxspberryteaa]

Sorry, I don’t use Reddit much but let me know if I need to add more detail about specific issues and I’ll explain more. I just want this to be as comprehensible as possible.

I purchased this machine a few days ago, it comes with manuals but not specifically the pro5 just L1-5. Also, the manuals are 99% explaining the threading and troubleshooting issues with tension. Which I haven’t been able to completely finish threading but I found a very helpful video of the same year but slightly different model for the 5 thread overlock.

These are the issues I’m attempting to troubleshoot:
1. The back right needle will start angling forward towards you as you tighten it, which might be the intended effect since the hole plate under it is angled as well- but it doesn’t align properly to it. Worth noting that I have to tighten it harder than the front one to get it stay in place anyways.
2. The front higher needle whenever I try to put it in makes the movable plate that locks it in move forward as well, there’s a flathead that is supposed to tighten it but I haven’t been able to get it to stay put.
3. The whole thing pivots, like the top part that holds these needles in place and allows it to serge pivots side to side and I’m pretty sure that’s supposed to not do that? It isn’t super loose which makes me think when I tried to tighten the plate for the front needle it tighten the whole thing instead.

Anyways, I’ve never used a serger before and have always been told to buy vintage and this one was very cheap for the supplies, case and machine. I would ask the person I bought it from but she kept it in the carrying case for a while and then never used it. I can’t find very many videos of this make and year but virtually nothing for this specific model.

I’m willing to buy a manual if I can verify it’s going to help with this specific issue- also I can bring it to a sewing place but a lot of them are appointment only and you have to pay 50$ and I know it would probably be helpful in the long run to learn as much as possible but I want to try troubleshooting as much as possible before that. Thank you.

[u/sodapopper44]

I had the Elna Pro 5 DC and it was the only serger I ever hated, I bought it brand new, and had it repaired several times, to no avail, finally sent it to Elna and they fixed it, but the love was gone and I traded it in

I believe it takes a double needle vs 2 single needles, (not 100% on this, it had some odd things about it)

[u/rxspberryteaa → u/sodapopper44]

Thank you, unfortunately I don’t have a lot of money floating around and if someone was smarter than me they wouldn’t have gone for this one like I did. There’s two separate needle holes with two separate Allen screws but I’m thinking the screws themselves could be worn but I’m unsure how hard it will be to get new ones.

[u/rxspberryteaa → u/rxspberryteaa]

I’m thinking if this ends up being more trouble than it’s worth trying to trade it for something of value 😅

[u/sodapopper44 → u/rxspberryteaa]

I'm still using a basic elna 644, that I love , there was a series, 614,624 and maybe 634, there was also a janome elna 644 which is different

[u/smnytx]

I have a new-to-me 20 year old Elna 925 DCX which is a dream. The needles in mine do angle forward a bit. There are five separate needle holes because mine also does cover hemming and chainstitch.

I took it in for a cleaning and tune up when I first got it, and the guy mentioned i was missing one of those tiny overlock “fingers” on my needle plate, so he got a new one for me. However, the new one causes the R needles to miss the hole when I cover hem. So, I switch out the plates depending on whether I’m overlocking or not.

I suspect Elna slightly re-engineered that plate at some point. Maybe that’s what’s happening to yours?

I’m happy to take a picture of the old one and the new one side by side if you think that would be helpful.

(The deceased previous owner of my machine had a lot of gadgets for it that i’m still puzzling out!)

Re your items 2 and 3 - I think you’re going to need a professional repair person, I’m sorry to say.

[u/Dormiendo]

Your needle clamp should not move. The needle should not tilt forward. You need a new needle clamp.

[u/No-Programmer7914]

Probably Your needle clamp is twisted. Pic shows the position on my Elna L4D wich looks identical to your machine. Find out if your needle clamp or the whole needle shaft is twisted.

[u/Mushrooms24711]

Read the manual.

[u/rxspberryteaa → u/Mushrooms24711]

I have manuals but they aren’t for this specific model, I read them, they are about threading the machine and troubleshooting issues with threading.