Sarah, so happy to hear you now have your machine back - I never knew that you could over tighten a screw - but that is because I have no strength - I usually have trouble untightening it after I get my machine from the sewing center. *4U Keep on stitching.

Guess your repairman should know and if he said not to I wouldn't as you might damage the shaft then you'd be out of a lot of money for a replacement.

Seems to me I read that in my manual. I'd double check if I could find it! I looked in the 3 most obvious places and didn't find it.......oh well.

I think your repair man is just cranky because he was to week to undo it. lol.
Alice

I had read this somewhere, but if it wasn't meant to be tightened, why is there a notch in it to fit the screwdriver blade?????

I am always worried about the needle being too loose and falling down while I am sewing/embroidering and causing all sorts of damage.

I love Alice's reply. LOL!!!
hugs n roses, Meganne

too tight? never heard that before. Too loose isn't good because the needle can go down,But too tight? well at least you have you machine back and working I suppose.

Yes because you can damage the part in the machine. This can then strip the bits to grip out so it will not work properly and it will not be possible to get the screws to grip. This could end up being very costly

Hi Sarah.....am taking mine in today for it's annual maintenance...boo hoo....don't you just hate being without it? My machine comes with a special little screwdriver to tighten the needle into the machine, it is the only way to install a needle, you can't tighten it by hand....google it and see what it says about tightening needles on sewing machines...I vote for Alice's excuse..LOL

Yes, I cracked the needle bar and had to have it replaced. They said it was from tightening too tight. But how do you know what is too tight?

If I don't tighten it with the screwdriver my needle will fall out when I start sewing.

I heard of too loose but not too tight...I guess us women will now have to watch their strength now...LOL ;D *2U

Yep, you can strip the threads on the screw. I just use my fingers to tighten the needle. Check it so often to make sure it is still tightened.

I had heard this but if I don't tighten it really tight (by hand but I really twist it) it absolutely falls out every time I replace the needle and jumps all over the place until I can hit the stop button (always difficult when you are paniced). I have had it mess up the thread guide when it fell out - not to mention gotta throw that needle away because you don't know if it has damage that would cause other issues. I "use" (waste) more needles because it falls out than because of sewing wearing it down. I will be taking mine in for service soon and I am sure he will say something - but what do you do if the needle won't stay in any other way?

I don't feel I've ever tighened mine too tight. Not had a problem. I do use the little screw driver to tighten it a bit after I tighten it with my fingers.
I'm guessing you could strip the threads if you tighten it too tight.

the only way i can tighten my machine needle is using the little short screwdriver that came with the machine.
but i am still turning the screwdriver...finger tightening in a way i guess.