How To Take Apart A Brother Punch Card Knitting Machine
Whenever I find a used knitting machine, I like to take a peek inside to make sure its clean and able to function as best as possible.
Below is a detailed photo tutorial on how to disassemble a Brother Knitking KH840 punch card knitting machine.
You’ll find that the steps are fairly similar to other makes and models as well.
Place the machine on its back.
Locate the two brackets that hold the table clamps.
Unscrew it.
Set the hardware to the side in a bowl and remove the other bracket.
Turn the machine back over and set on your work table.
Unlatch the lid clasps and remove the lid.
Set it aside.
Remove the carriage and set aside.
Using a pusher, push one end of the sponge bar and pull it out from the opposite side.
I like thick bamboo scewers since they won’t damage anything if I slip on the plastic or metal.
You need to remove all the needles.
Start at one end, and pull the needle all the way towards you until its butt hits the end of its channel.
Make sure that the latch hook is closed.
Push down on the latch end and simultaneously lift up on the back end of the needle. Pull it out towards the back of the machine.
Continue across the bed of the machine, removing all the needles.
You may need to lift up with slight force towards the back for the needle to carefully clear the plastic housing.
Remove the lid on the built in accessory box and set aside.
Locate the screw holding this section of plastic housing in place.
Unscrew and set the screw aside in a bowl. I like to keep the different sections of hardware in separate collection bowls. It make reassembly less confusing.
Move to the adjacent section of plastic housing and locate its screws.
Remove the screw and add to your collection bowls.
This section had a total of 3 screws. The last two were on each side of the punch card reader.
Remove the screws and add to your collection bowls.
Grab the plastic decorative top on the selection lever and gently pull it off.
It will catch and fly off when you go to remove the plastic cover if you don’t take it off now.
Here it is removed.
Lift off the cover and set aside.
Please note that one side of the plastic cover usually lays on top of its neighbor where they meet in the middle. Your machine may be different.
You can only remove the top cover first.
On this knitting machine, the punch card mechanism cover set on top of the accessory tool box section.
Therefore, you must gently push the accessory tool box section to the side to get if out from under the case edge.
Lift off the section and set aside.
The punch card pusher button will be loose. Before removing the machine from the case, lift it out and set aside.
Locate the three screws securing the right side of the metal bed.
Remove the screws and add to your collection bowls.
Locate the three screws securing the left side of the metal bed.
Remove the screws and add to your collection bowls.
We’re almost done.
Locate the screw to the left of the center back, attaching the metal bed to the case.
Remove the screw and add to your collection bowls.
Locate the screws in the center back, further attaching the metal bed to the case.
Remove the screws and add to your collection bowls.
Lift the knitting machine out of the case and set it on your work table.
Before cleaning I usually take the machine outside to blow it out with compressed air. You won’t believe how much fluff and junk will come flying out. My husband’s compressor works wonders!
Once de-fluffed, I wipe down as much as possible. I use Simple Green, a degreaser, on the plastic parts and case, and denatured alcohol on the metal bed and needles.
Don’t use water based cleaners on the metal bed parts. It will seep into the cracks and potentially rust.
When it’s all squeaky clean and totally dry, reassemble in reverse order and have lots of fun knitting.
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May 12, 2010
42 comments
Great Post. I am so glad to see this documented in ths day of shade tree knitting machine mechanics!
This was very informative…thanks for taking the time to post this. I have a Brother 970 and have been a little apprehensive of taking this apart for cleaning due to the electronics. I am hoping I can use this demo to take apart my machine. Thanks again. Robin
This is fantastic! The photographs are so helpful. Will definitely refer to this the next time I need to take a apart a machine. Thank you!
This post was very helpfull. I have a KH-910. It was a little bit different but close enough to get it apart. The most surprising part was that as I was taking it outside to clean out all the crumbly debris inside, it tilted in my arms as I opened the kitchen door and a part came flying out. I caught it and it was a second “sponge bar” below the needle selection bed. I’ve never heard of such a thing existing. the debris inside was from a completely decomposed sponge. the needle bottoms ride against. When I pressed the sponge with my finger, the sponge completely collapsed.
So I’ve replaced the sponge just like on the “known” sponge bar.
In retrospect really, the most surprising part was that I was able to get the thing back together with no left over parts and it actually works.
This is a really useful guide – thank you! I have recently got back into machine knitting after many years and have had to buy second-hand machines. It’s comforting to know how to get them apart to clean them and check them over properly.
Just one thing – what bits need to be oiled and do you just use the standard machine oil like for sewing machines etc?
This was most informative and quite straight forward. Thanks so much for sharing and using the excellent pictures.
Hi Have just your page on takig apart a knitting machine and found it a great item. I wonder if you can help me further. I have Brother 950i and have tried to delete some mylar sheets from the programmer On the lid of the electronic pat it gives various numbers one of which is 888 to delete all. I did this and now can no longer use the programmer except for the built in patterns.
Can you tell me how to rectify this.
Eve Young
Thank you thank you thank you. I was looking for a place to have my machine fixed and cleaned (I have a Knitking) and just as soon as I typed in “knitting machine blog” up you came, with all the information I needed to do my own. Thanks again and I will be watching you now for more info as I go along.
Mary
West Virginia
Is this pretty much how the ribber is cleaned as well? I can’t seem to find any info on it, and I just bought a used one that is pretty grimy. Any help appreciated!!
hi, thanks so much for all this wonderful info – i love looking in on you from time to time and always leave your site with more knowledge!!
this post of yours is brilliant – thanks.
someone gave me a KH 840 with the ribber and i have a couple of “problems” with it – the main bed carriage is quite stuck and even though i’ve managed to finally loosen up the knobs to all turn to all the settings, it won’t really knit and jams on the ndls.
the other problem is that on the ribber the knob that moves from P to H and back is really really stuck – gummed up from years of not being used i suppose. do you have some advice fro how i could get in there to clean it up and get it moving? the ribber actually looks most unused and is in really good shape, so would love to get it going
thanks for any help you can give (btw i do have a new sponge bar in and also have cleaned and oiled everything)
zia
kansas
having a hard time finding a manual for this same machine. I don;t know what all the knobs on the carraige are used for. Getting frustrated. Could you please tell me where i could get a manual and what the knob settings are for? Thank you and have a great day>>>>
hi there what a smashing review what is simple green degreaser does it take oil off thanks eileen
how do i fix a mainbed carrriage on a brother 260 the metal piece under the magnets are broken and bent could this be stopping the carriage selecting the needles its ok on plain but not on fairisle thanks eileen
Hello!
Thank you for your very informative guide to take apart and clean an old punchcard Brother. I have the KH 860 which I have taken apart today and has not been cleaned with alcohol yet. Do I soak the needles in a jar of it?(pour it into jar containing needles) and if I do, do I have to re-oil them. I was thinking of putting them back without cleaning as they seem in good condition, no stuck latches etc. I also have a KH 965 I have just obtained, is the proceedure more or less the same? Thanks again for taking the time to put this up for me. π
I have inherited a brother k-970 knitting machine . The carriage has a spring that is not connected causing the carriage to knit one row and then draw the wool across on the next row. I can see the spring dangling through a hole in the back of the carriage and can also see where it needs to be connected . However I do not know how to remove the necessary parts to reconnect the spring. Do you have a parts manual for the k-970 carriage. Would this help or could you recommend a service center to have the carriage fixed?
Thanks for taking the time to post this!
VERY HELPFUL for the KH-910 I picked up today. It had been sitting in a garage for a very long time (years, probably) and needed some seriously cleaning. Now I need to buy both sponge bars. Everything else looks swell.
(Thanks also to Dave Sanderson for his post about his KH-910)
Wait! Never mind, I don’t have to buy the the sponge bars. You have a great post on how to make the upper one right here on Knittsings!
KH-910 owners, I found out that the lower sponge bar is for noise reduction. It can be left out if it is disintegrating – and given the age of these machines (production was from 1980 – 1987) the sponge is probable closer to dust than sponge at this point.
Since I bought supplies to refurbish the upper sponge bar and I have the lower one taken out anyway, I replace that piece too.
GREAT SITE! Extremely informative, very clear tutorials, thank you very much.
I have a Knit Leader that is broken. I would like to know how to take it apart and perhaps fix it. This is a hardly been used item. Its a shame not to save it. any information you might have would be of help thanks much. rose bradley
Please can you help explain why dosen’t the knob on the carriage for kh910 run to the MLB position?
Hello,
I have a Brother 260 Bulky and having a same problem as it is described by Eileen Shepherd, post # 13. I would like to know the answer to her question. Or would you mind to forward this email to her so that she can email me with your answer. Your web site is really fantastic! Thanks, Kristina
I am due to retire and have an old Brother KH836 with a KR850 attached. I’ve dug these machines back out of the attic as knitting is scheduled to return as my retirement hobby, and this website, which I have just found, is so going into my favourites.
I found the site when searching for why, when the ribber and knitter are attached, the needles catch on the plate, meaning the carriage cannot move. Maybe it’s because the needles sit too high because the retainer sponge bar is dead. I’m going to try your renewal tips and hope for the best.
Superb site.
I would to ajust & line up my brother 260 ribber
Love your site. Inherited Mum’s machines. Absolute Newbie but promised her on her deathbed to look after them and learn to use them. I’m a Newbie on Internet too, and getting instructions at Local Library. Ingrid
What a brilliant tutorial, just what I need, having ‘volunteered’ to have a look at a machine that’s been stored in a loft for 20years. Couldn’t believe how much blakened fluff is coming out & convinced there’s more to come!!! Thank you.
I am so impressed w/this site as it has answered questions before I even ask them. But, now I have a question………..can anyone tell me about a knitleader problem I have been having. The mylar sheets will not move after a few runs w/the carriage. It seems to be okay on some rows and then it absolutely gets stuck. I’ve taken it all apart and it looks like the wheel part w/the cogs might be the problem…….do you think there might be a replacement part available?
Dear KatrinAa:
I’ve visited you website a few times, but your spongebar replacement directions were fabulous. I am basically a Passap knitter but needed to fix my old 910, which I never really used over the years to make quick to knit stuff for an upcoming show. I get tired of spending money for a lot of crap and I am handy as you are. I wanted to share that I purchased the 3/8th foam here in NYC..I will send pictures of my venture. I worked perfectly. It’s already sticky on one side where you lay it in put I just put a little bit of plain old Elmer’s glue. I also cleaned out this 20 odd years of gook (sponge had never been replaced) in less tan 15 minutes with water soluble “Citristrip”. All were available in my local hardware stores but I’m sure that they are around in the depot hardware. The Citristrip was so fast and clean and no odor; no bent “bar” and I was so excited about not having to shop that I was beside myself.
I didn’t have any binder for the other side, so that took me longer because I had not patience to cut the strip that thin. The fusible binder that I had was old so it wasn’t sticking so well after light pressing. Just use the spray adhesive very lightly on a finger ( gloved or ungloved) and tact it in the unsticky places. Have a glass of wine and get to knitting. Let me know if you get this and I’ll take the time to upload photos of the stuff for your other guests.
Kindest Regards
Rhonda
I am so thrilled to see your information on the web!! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! I have had 2 brother knitters for over 20 years, inherited from my grandmother. I took classes then but they have been in storage since. I want to get them in working order again yet noticed you did not mention putting any oil anywhere. Shouldn’t I put some somewhere? My carriage seems to get stuck on a few needles yet I have not noticed if they are always the same ones. I have checked them and replaced the ones that appear damaged yet still have some problems with the carriage jumping a few needles. Ideas?
Thank you
Stacey
Hello! Thank you very, very much for putting this clear and instructive tutorial online. My husband and I have just spent a happy (and grimy) hour dismantling and cleaning an old Brother KH-840 machine that we couldn’t get serviced anywhere. Hopefully I can now add a whole new dimension to my knits…
Thanks,
Jay
I have 1 miserable screw that won’t undo. I am so annoyed.
I bought this machine fully expecting to need to clean it and replace the sponge bar, but the drive belt was totally stuck, and the punchcard reader moves the card 3 times in the same row.
I have the drive belt moving but stiff and noisy so I need to strip the whole thing down and play around.
I haven’t had this much fun since I stopped building computers.
This is excellent. My jaw dropped when I followed this with such ease.
I would have never been able to do this task without this intuitive pictorial information. Thank you so much for putting this up on the internet for us all to see.
Wishing there was such informative guidance like this enabling us to change a punch card reader. There must be many of us who have problems with this.
Hello I need help with my card reader on my bulky 260 brother machine. I was knitting fine for two weeks and then the machine not will read the cards. It will pull the card thur and knit But not the pattern. Could you please tell me what I should do the correct this problem ?
Thank you Lynette
Hi Guys: Thought that I was out of the dark with the sponge bar replacement but yes; there is a second on underneath on the brother 910. Pray for me; everything else was working on the electronics but now the timing belt got loosened and now the needles aren’t selecting but that blasted extra spongebar ‘s foam is demolished.
HELP
I need a couple of new sponge bars or the sponge to replace it. Can you tell me where I can purchase them. Thanks Connie
Hi !! Absolutely loved how simple you made it for me to clean my Mom’s machine. …thank you !! One problem. ..when we got it back together. ..it is knitting backwards !! Whar did I do wrong ? How can I fix it ? Please respond….my Mom is anxiously waiting to use it for Christmas ! Thank you!
Hi, I have a Knitmaster 700 (UK) I believe this was called Studio SK700 in the USA. I have not used it for about two years as I have a very busy life and no enthusiasm for knitting. Then I suddenly wanted to get it going again, cleaned it all up (it was not in a bad state but needed a little brushing/oiling). Then thought I would do a tuck stitch baby blanket. Cast on 200 neeedles, no problem. Memorised the punch card and off I went. Looping occured on the left hand side end needles. I frogged it and looked at the carriage, made sure there was no lint or debris in any wheels, made sure the brushes were turning, all seemed in order. Started off again, same problem. Frogged it, decided perhaps the wool was at fault-changed to a different 4-ply, off I went again-same problem. No matter what I did I always got some looping. Its driving me nuts and I am thinking perhaps I shall just cover it up again for the next two years!!
I am so glad to find this helpful site for knitters struggling with their old machines. Mine is a Toyota 747 which will not respond to the auto selection lever. I’m afraid the timing(?) belt is stuck, so I must open the beast. Has anyone found a source for items such as belts?
hi
I have a brother kh820 .. I just got, and removed the needles, when I put them back in the sponge bar was also replaced, the needles pop up out in the back when they are in position E?
not sure if there is a special way to replace the needles so they don’t do this.
thank you
lisa
I have a Knitking knitting machine electronic 965i. I have a broken needle stucked in the needle bed. You can’t see it, it went completely into the metal bed and I can’t insert my sponge bar due to this problem. Is there a way I can get the metal needle bed loose and take it off in order to get the needle out? If you can send me directions on how to doe this, I would appreciate it.
Thank you,
Hi,
I looked at the pixs of how to take a kh knittng machine bed apart. Once everything is out of the frame (case), can I get to the back of the needle bed? I have one bent needle which is stuck with the very end to the metal bed. The needle had been cut up to the needle shaft, but since it is still bent within the needle bed, I cannot lift out the needle past the enclosure at the very end. I do not if I make myself clear. Your picture 7 shows how it should work. But the needle won’t lift out of the slot. It is stuck by just a fraction of a mm. How can I get to that needle to lift it out?
Helga Walters, Newark, DE
I am new to machine knitting and enjoy it so very much. After finishing with a project yesterday, I decided to take the machine apart and give it a deep clean. (It was bought used and probably hadn’t functioned in years!) After about half an hour of trying to figure out how to take it apart, I gave up and just pulled out fluff with a crochet hook and vacuumed as much as I could. Thank you for this information! Being an expat Yank in New Zealand it is hard to find parts and so far I haven’t even found a service/repair person.
Again, thank you so much!
Thank you for these brilliant instructions! I was able to bring a stuck card reader mechanism back to life by disassembling the knitter and lubricating jammed parts.
This was exactly what I needed … thank you for doing this π Extremely helpful …