I need help with the tention settings on my simplicity serger pro please

here's a link to a manual at sewingpartsonline.com
http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/instruction-manual-simplicity-sw432.aspx
http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/instruction-manual-simplicity-serge-pro-sw432-download.aspx

I have a Simplicity serger SL880 that was my mothers. She past away about 8 years ago. I was trying to use it but appears the motor may be locked up that moves the feed dogs. Is there a place to oil it? If so where? Thank you.

Sergers do pretty much have a certain function--to finish raw edges, although there are some other decorative things you can do with a serger if it has the capability. Download the pdf file at this site to get some ideas: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peggyddesigns.com%2Fpdf%2FYOU_DID_THAT_WITH_YOUR_SERGER.pdf&ei=eq9sVczgLMbtsAWOroHIDw&usg=AFQjCNEaebGu1AksU57pm61P6mvGGcS4VA&bvm=bv.94455598,d.b2w You can also join some sites that will email you projects every week that can be made on a serger.

A serger is great for making t-shirts (stretchy fabric), tablecloths, napkins, placemats, etc. The rolled hem is nice! And, yes, you can make quilts although it is best to use a sewing machine when intricate stitching of pieces require that the points meet, and the 1/4 inch seam is pertinent to the design. A serger does do a great quilt by serging strip pieces together where the 1/4 inch seam allowance and matching points are not a requirement. It will put a strip-pieced quilt top together very quickly. (Its really quick if you purchase the precut Jelly Roll fabric.) But you will need to figure out how to quilt the top, batting, and backing together using something other than a serger--or pay someone to do it for you.

Or try making a Quilt as You Go quilt where you would serge the top strip, batting, and backing strip all together. When you are finished putting the quilt together, all you will need to do is add the binding--the first part you can use a serger, but when you flip the binding over to the front side to finish, you'll probably want to handstitch it.
How To Sew An Easy Strip Quilt
40 Free Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns 5 New Jelly Roll Quilts
Quilt as You Go Strip Quilt National Quilters Circle

The most common troubles with feeddogs not working properly is either lint trapped in between the feed teeth...remove the needleplate and clean out the lint which may look like felt in extreme cases. or... the presser foot tension is too low, in which case, increase tension...there will be a knob of some sort at the top of the machine directly above the Presser Foot Shaft. It is a remote possibility that the feeddog height needs adjusting ...it will have been a major trauma of a severe jam or tugging etc to cause this. As it would almost certainly result in other timings being affected and particularly in the case of a Serger/Overlocker, the added risk of breaking loopers (expensive), I would recommend a service by suitably qualified technician to restore all to optimum condition.
Best Wishes Martyn
Bargain Box in Australia

I went to Simplicity's website and downloaded the manual for free. Hope this helps.

There are 2 blades, a fixed cutter and a moving cutter. The moving cutter should move approx 1/8" at it's lowest point past the fixed cutter. There should also be some pressure between the cutters

Always thread the lower looper first. Then the upper looper. Finish by threading the needles.
By the way, the lower looper is the one which is always below the needle plate and the upper one is the one which travels above the needle plate.
sewman7

Here is the manual! Copy the entire link! http://web.archive.org/web/20060508095821/http://www.simplicitysewing.com/ftp/whitepapers/804.pdf Enjoy!

Allbrand.com or go to Google, type in: "Replacement blades for a serger". Hope this will help. I have the same serger. --Tricie

I have a Simplicity Pro model SW432.  The sewing sample that came with it had the following tension settings: Red 3.2 yellow 2 green 3.5 blue 2 The book gives illustrations about the different problems you might have.  Changing a tension a little and trying it for the partic. fabric you are using, is usually what a person ends up doing.