Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Serger Review: Singer 14U52A


Singer 14U52A

Price paid:  $80

How long have you had this machine?  Less than a year

What do you like about this machine?  This is an oldie but goodie.  The more I use it, the more I like it.  It makes a strangely soothing sound as it serges, unlike any other serger I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned several.  The stitches are great, and I really like the free-arm feature.  I never realized how useful a free arm is on serger before I had this model.  It saves me the trouble of having to turn sleeves and pant legs inside out to serge on the right side, inside of a loop.

Things you DON'T like about this machine:  The major drawback to this model is the lack of a light.  I use a clip-on light, but it would have been nice to have one built in.  It also lacks a tray to catch scraps.

18 comments:

  1. I have an earlier model of this serger. I love mine, too. A long-time Singer dealer told me that Juki made these models for Singer. I have had mine since about 1993, and it still sews great!

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  2. Can someone email me the pdf manual? I can't find it online!
    Thanks,
    Jennifer

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    1. I will scan my manual and email it to you if i can get my scanner to work.

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    2. On my gosh! I just got this same serger give. To me from my mother in law! I am a complete newbie to serging. I would love to have the manual also!
      Thanks
      Julianne

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  3. If anyone is willing to share a manual I just inherited this machine from an aunt and would love to know how to use it. Thanks.

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  4. To all those looking for the owners manual, go to the singer web site in the support section and you can look it up and download for free.

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  5. I just picked this serger up at a local goodwill. I looked online at the Singer website, but the manual is only available for purchase in Canada. Anyone know where I can get a copy? Thank you

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  6. I'm in the same boat as Yadi. Anybody able to help us?

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  7. my sis has one,,,i would like to buy it...how much is fair ???? she was going to trade it for repairs on an old black Singer... but ,i'm flying home and am torn as to whether it would make it unscathed...any comments ???

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  8. I need a manual too please or links to free one.

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  9. Are you still using this serger? Bought one almost a year ago. Came with manual for a different machine. finally figured out how to fix the knife, but can't figure out how to make a more narrow stitch (set at 5 now). I know I can do so much more with this machine, but a little tough with no instructions. You do a beautiful job, by the way. Envious indeed :)

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  10. I have this machine bought it from ebay thought it was way less complicated than it is new to sewing, it just sits there almost a year now. Sewing better but Not serging yet. Ismtherema video on how to use this serger or could someone upload one. Thanks. Help

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  11. Sorry is there a video on how to thread this machine?

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  12. At the time of writing this reply (Nov 2018), the manual is available via a free download from the following link: https://blessington.app.box.com/s/ah2sdhgj746n3enwh3al2njxfsc04u0p
    The manual link is courtesy of the 'singerco' website ( https://singerco.com.au/support/manuals/ ).
    Apart from the manual, a threading diagram should be showing on the inside of the lower front cover under the tension dials. Slide the cover to the right, and then open it towards you.
    Overlockers/sergers MUST be threaded in the correct sequence or you will have MAJOR problems with the machine stitching. The sequence is Top looper thread FIRST, Bottom looper thread SECOND, and needle thread last. Top looper thread goes through all the red/orange locations after going through the middle tension discs. Bottom looper thread goes through all the brown/yellow markings after going through the right-hand side tension discs. Needle thread goes through all the blue/green markings after going through the left-hand tension discs. When threading each thread, double-check and triple-check that you have passed through EVERY colour point and that the thread hasn't snagged on something along the way (very easy to snag). 99% of machine operation problems will be because it hasn't been threaded properly.
    After threading, turn all the tension reels down to 1 on the dial, and then start running the machine. Check the tail of thread coming out the back to see if the threads are linking together properly. If everything is ok, increase the tension reel settings up to 2 and run some more thread through. If still ok, increase to 3. Then run some scrap material through the machine for test overlocking (old bedsheets make a good supply of test material). Look at the loops on your test material, and adjust the various tensions if necessary (this is where you develop your overlocking/serging skills).
    Note the normal household sewing machine needles can NOT be used in this machine. There is no flat side on the upper shank of the needle that's used in this machine. Singer recommend Singer 2053 needles, but there are other brand equivalents on the market. Search for '2053, SY2053, JLx1 needles'.
    Good luck with your machine. They are quite robust and will last a lifetime if looked after. Remember what I said above..."99% of machine problems will be because the machine hasn't been threaded properly".
    Cheers...

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  13. Hi I have the same model and have had it for 21 years and love it. But due to moving house recently the power foot control lead has been lost. I've search online for one but there are so many is someone able to tell me the model no or part number off the bottom of their foot control.
    Thanks in advance

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    1. Foot controller for all the Singer 14U series is model YC-190A (or full name "YDK Model YC-190A"). This is a reasonably generic foot controller, so you will find them with the Singer label, as well as the Toyota label, and perhaps other brands as well.

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  14. If anyone of you ladies that have this model please send me the manual. I really need it

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  15. If anyone of you ladies that have this model please send me the manual. I really need it

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