Serger problem

[OTMomma]

Last weekend my grandmother gave me her old serger, its a 1985 model singer. Anyway, I was practiceing with it today and the needle came unthreaded, I put a new needle in, since I figured it was due (I don't think she's used the machine in 10 years). Anyway, now it won't make a seam at all. Are there any quick tips of things I could check before I take it to a repair guy?

TIA

Oh, I should add, it does seem like everything is moving, but the thread just isn't staying in the fabric. If that makes sense....

[darkstar]

I have recently bought an older serger and I am having the same problem, if the thread tension is up too high. I have no suggestions other than adjusting the tension. I will keep checking back to see if anyone has a valuable info

darkstar

[kerc]

are the upper and lower loopers threaded correctly?
did you get all the little dodads threaded?
often if I miss one the whole kit and caboodle screws up.

is the presser foot down when you're stitching ( :LOL my biggest issue is remembering to do that).

is there lint that needs to be vacuumed out?

are the threads all seated well in the tension disks? usually youthread with your presser foot up and then put it down to sew. Up releases the tension disk and lets you get the thread really in there.

that's all that I can think of right now.