Rating  - Cutting corners
I too purchased this machine with great trepidation. I've had my White for almost 15 years which I love dearly. I decided to try the Singer because the cover stitch would be (I thought) a real time-saver.
Well, aside from the other comments above, I do not like the fact that there are no numbers for tension adjustment - you just "guess" - maybe I'm too picky but I like to have my tension exact so I get a good solid stitch. My White tells you what the tension should be for each needle and looper for the different stitches.
Secondly, I do not like the fact that I cannot access the left side of the machine. I finally figured out the lever system that threads the loopers that are not visible, but I found myself very leery of this system since if something goes wrong, well, who knows? You can't see inside. Plus, how can you really get the lint out of that area?
In addition, every time I changed the plastic plate for cover stitch or to use the knife, I felt like any one of the tabs (on the plastic covers) was going to break off!
Anyway, I returned it because I just couldn't see paying $600 for one stitch - the cover stitch.
Wouldn't it be nice if someone would make a dedicated cover stitch machine at around $200? Or if you could add the pieces to make your existing serger have the cover stitch as an attachment? They do it on embroidery machines, so why not sergers?
I just think Singer could have done a better job - more professional, more informative (as others have said - no CD or video), and sturdier.
Rating  - Really Nice Serger If You Give It A Chance
I purchased this serger because of the coverstitch capability. I currently have a 2/3/4 serger and find I don't use it as much as I could because of issues with set up and tension. I took a chance on the Quantumlock and am very happy with it.
I received the serger and studied the manual, which is none too great. Terminology is confusing and not explained or displayed really well. I did download the manual and Workbook from the Singer website. This is a must. First of all, with a second copy of the manual you can make all the notes you need where you need them without ruining the included manual. The Workbook is invaluable. The machine came threaded for the coverstich so I started there. I have been practicing each stitch by using the workbook and so far, all has been fine. The times I have had a problem was due to user error and not the machine, ie - I had the wrong needle placement when trying to do the chainstitch. If you take you time, it really works well.
Also, one other point in regard to threading the loopers. I had difficulty in threading the lower looper (red) because I was unable to see the thread assist lever as it is right at the edge of the inside of the machine, once I discovered where it was, it correctly places the thread every time. The tweezers are invaluable and although I think Singer could come up with a finer pointed pair of tweezers, these do work adequately. Become familiar with the threading, use the workbook and you will find a serger that does a really good job. Auto Tension works very well.
I have not had a problem with fabric thickness, the presser foot seems to handle it all very well.
Be patient with the learning curve and you will really enjoy all it can do.
Rating - The Quantumlock comes with the frustration built in.
I received this serger as a Christmas gift (2006) from my loving husband, who only wanted me to own the best, top-of-the-line overlock machine. Today is January 10, 2007 and I still haven't figured out how to thread it. I spent 3 hours at the mom-and-pop sewing center this week with an employee, the store's "expert" on the Quantumlock. She was able to turn out two different types of stitches but was unable to show me more because she too could not figure out how to thread the machine.
I am an expert seamstress; I have been sewing for 41 years and used to be an editor for a company that produces quilting books, so I certainly have spent a lot of time behind a sewing machine. Never have I seen a sewing machine so poorly designed as this one. It is darn near impossible to thread. The gears/hardware through which you have to pass the thread are so small and so close together that it is impossible to thread without using tweezers. But once you thread it (if you can--I've yet been able to) you have to unthread (parts of) it to do particular stitches, which means inevitably you'll have to go through the agony of rethreading later.
There's more. It does not have a swing arm that opens with a hinge so that you can access the left side of the threading area. This means you're looking into darkness while you try to thread the left side and it also means there's no area for your fingers to fit into to thread it. (So what are you supposed to do? Thread it with a toothpick in your mouth?) Further, changing the needles is awkward because the needle area sits so far below eye level. The store employee tipped the machine over and had me balance it, suspended, while she changed the needle, which of course means it takes two people to change a needle. AND you have to change the needle often because the various stitches you may want to use require you to do so.
The sewing foot lifts barely 1/4" upward from the throat plate, which makes it hard to place even thin fabric under it. I tried to put a piece of elastic over a very skinny piece of nylon fabric (like the type a woman's slip is made of) and had to tug and tug to get it to fit. Forget trying to sew medium or heavy fabrics with this machine.
My husband paid $600 for this machine but it did not come with a video or CD to help the customer learn how to operate it.
I give the Quantumlock two stars, the only positive thing I can say about it, because it is designed to do everything. But if you have never used an overlock you will be frustrated by the complexity of this machine. Every time you start another sewing project, or change your stitch parameters, you will have to go through a long, annoying process to reconfigure your machine. I am returning mine to the store next week.
Rating - Machine is strong but complex - not recommended for beginner sewers
I think the machine itself is solid and works well when threaded properly. With 5 threads, you get all the stitches that can possibly be had on a serger. Additionally, I liked the one button tension setting. As with all 5-thread mechanical sergers, setup and threading can be challenging. If you have not used a serger before, there is a definite learning curve. Practice on scraps to start. Patience and close attention to the instruction details will be well rewarded with new skills and fine results with the least amount of frustration..
If patience and detail are not your thing, consider a simpler, less capable serger - something with fewer threads. As with most machines, the more it can do, the more complex the setup. To help you decide what machine to buy, I recommend getting Singer's "The New Sewing with a Serger" book for a good over view and guide. If possible, consider visiting a local dealer to actually touch and try out. the machine.
However, I have to agree with the previous reviewer regarding Singer's documentation for this machine. The original instruction booklet that comes packaged with this unit is sorely lacking and is organized more as an occasional reference rather than a teaching tool. Even so, it leaves out important details and could have been better organized -- that is why I gave this serger 4 stars rather than 5. For better and far more detailed instructions, go to Singer's website (www.singerco.com). It is a free download.
I am still experimenting with all of the functions of my machine but here are some tips that may help you get started
(1) Be prepared to take your time with the instructions to get acquainted. In the end, it will save you time. Defintely get the enhanced documentation from Singerco.com and use that to setup and thread your machine.
(2) At first, I found the terminology more intimidating than it actually is. I recommend having a reference book on hand such as "The New Sewing with a Serger" to help.. Hang in there - once you thread and sew on this serger the first time, things will start to make more sense.
(4) Start with a simple 2 thread stitch such as the double chain. This stitch must start and end in the fabric. Success is conquering the machine setup, threading and needle placement. Add more threaded, complicated stitches as you become more familiar with the setup & threading paths. Remember to remove the needle threads before you make changes in the looper threads.
Note: For easier threading, you will find that you can slip the thread from the bottom of most of the metal hooks in the looper part of the serger. Use tweezers as needed.
(5) Always thread loopers first, then thread needles last. Otherwise, your threads will get jammed up before you are ready to sew. (General order: Loopers: Green, Red, Brown, and Needles: Orange, Blue)
(6) After you complete threading a single looper, be sure to pull about 4 inches of thread up through the opening and toward the back of the machine before going on to the next one. Repeat individually for each looper as required.
(7) Triple check machine setup, needle position and threading against the diagram in the machine and documentation before sewing. This part goes pretty quickly after the first couple of successes.
(8) Use an inexpensive, clean, medium sized makeup brush to quickly clean out lint and threads after each use. It is bigger and it does a better job than the small brush included in the box.
Hope these tips helps. I will update these comments as my experience with this serger grows.
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