Problem with Juki DDL-8300N Sewing Machine? Needle hitting bobbin?
Make sure the needle is completely up in the needle holder; dropping just a mm or two as you tighten the screw can mess up the timing. Make sure the machine is clean and the bobbin and bobbin case are installed properly. Then hand crank the machine through a stitch cycle or two and compare to: http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Sewing%20Machine%20Hook%20Timing.htm Generally, it's best to have the timing adjusted by a real repair tech -- if you don't really know what you're doing, you're likely to do a fair amount of tearing your hair out.
How do you repair ripped seams on a convertable top?
You may wind up wasting your money trying to repair it yourself... it may be dry rotted since it has seam problems... and the rest of the seams will begin to follow suit coming apart... Your best bet probably would be to bite the bullet and get a new top from J.C. Whitney or some other discount auto parts place and do the replacement yourself... At least you know the entire top will be good and should last for a while... Otherwise go with a duct tape job for the time being... Good luck...
How hard is it to learn to use a sewing machine?
I'm a middle-aged guy with no "home-ec" experience (I took wood shop.) I'm starting to find more and more reasons lately where I think it might be good to know how to use a sewing machine. Like making custom bags for my bike, stuff sacks for my camping gear, tyvek rain ponchos, sewing thick straps onto gear, mending, heck - even just getting creative. How hard is it for a complete noob to learn to use one for simple stitching, making button holes, etc?
What is the difference between a mechanical engineer and a mechanic?
I always get this question. Here is my 2cents:Consider this: An alien comes to planet Earth. He sees a football for the first time. He kicks it. Now, does that make him a footballer? No. So what is the differnce between a footballer and the alien who just know how to kick the ball? A footballer knows the rules of football. He can kick the ball at desired speed to desired point. And he possess many other qualities too. Alien is not a footballer because he only knows a fraction about this sport.Same goes for mechanical engineers and mechanics. Mechanics know only a small fraction of Mechanical Engineering.Mechanical Engineer uses the knowledge and he knows why the machine works and he knows how the machine works. He designs machines. He manufactures machines.Mechanic repairs the machine.After regular practices, anyone can replace the damaged part with a new one. But, only a mechanical engineer knows why was the part damaged at first.Besides, mechanical engineering is not just related to auto-mobiles.Mechanical engineers are also responsible for aeropanes and rockets.Mechanical engineers are also responsible for robots that can play, talk and dance with you.From the fridge that you have stored vegetables to the air conditioning system that you are using are made by engineers. From tiny screws to telescopes, from bicycle to mars rover, from your wrist watch to the simple padlock, from optical fiber to excavator, from the stainless steel plate you use to the giant ships like titanic, from your pencil sharpner to the parachute; all are made by mechanical engineers. And trust me, this is not even 1% of what mechanical engineers can do.Think about the concept they use, the lovely design they make and the efficiency like no other!However, if you are looking for some boring nerdist answer, here it goes:A Mechanical engineer is a person who applies the principles of engineering, physics, and material science for the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems.A Mechanic is a tradesman, craftsman, or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.I hope I could clear your doubts.