Replacing the sponge bar on a Brother knitting machine | Fixing the most common knitting issues

[@LadyJane721]

Absolut nützlich! Ich hatte ein bisschen angst davor, diesen Schaumstoff selber zu wechseln. So wie Sie es hier zeigen scheint es ganz einfach zu sein. Vielen Dank dafür!

[@andrefenske4403]

Thank you. The magic sauce was the scotch tape. Thank you!

[@寒鸦]

I have a standard gauge brother kh894 with kr 850 and bulky kh260 with a ribber. Didn't dare to buy electronics, as I'm no good with electronic 😅 but I serviced mechanical ones myself and I'm very proud of it

[@daramclaughlin7234]

Thanks so much! I had pulled out my sponge bar to adjust the number strip and when I shoved the sponge bar back in it got stuck and the needles didn’t move right. Your video showed me exactly what was wrong. Holding down the needles with a ruler while I pushed the sponge bar back in worked great!

[@yppiz]

your comment about brother using a sponge bar that breaks down to give dealers something to do got me wondering. do you think there might be a more modern or durable material that we could use in the bar that would be more resistant to breaking down?

[@brisantiago6]

My machine has a thicker plastic bar instead of a metal bar with sponge

[@aussieyarnie9389]

I have a empisal kh820 which I'm told is now brother. Im waiting on some parts to arrive so I can start learning it.

[@crivensro]

Thank you so much for this clear, concise and very useful tutorial on how to replace the sponge bar! What is the average life tim e of a spomge bar when you are using your machine regularly?

[@JudySours]

very helpful! Im trying to get a Brother 820 back in working order. All is clean an well now except the punchcard part. It seems pretty sticky but I can get it to move now except the card lock seems to be frozen. Any thoughts on this?

[@SondraDaroshefski]

THANK YOU! I just got a NIB 1984 HK-100. I'm wondering about the little arrow shaped plastic pieces in the end of the sponge bar? Are you supposed to get them out to secure the ends? It looks like the old sponge bar was secured underneath them.

[@minkyungkang7282]

Hello ! I have empilai knit master and I also took off the sponge as this tutorial (thank you) I realized the metal bar is not perfectly flat it’s floating I. The middle should I change the bar as well in this case ?

[@susanfortner8427]

Great tip! Thank you for sharing!

[@dandyblethroad6442]

Thank you so much. Your video was a great help!!!

[@petrakuemmel]

Über den Schaumstoff noch eine Lage weisses Pflaster von der Rolle kleben. Gibt's in verschiedenen Breiten in der Apotheke. Sonst hält das nicht lange...

[@Jenny-zr3ck]

Is the window weather proofing sponge bad or okay to use as a replacement? 3$ to 16$ is a big savings, esp over multiple machines.

[@KnitFactoryImpl]

I don't know, I've never tried it. It looks like it might be possible. If you wind up trying it, let me know how it goes!

[@dawngheerkins4590]

Why would you need to change this, does it have an effect on the knitting, would you drop stitches?

[@KnitFactoryImpl]

@@dawngheerkins4590 When the spongebar wears out and goes flat, the carriage can jam and damage the needles. You may also see miss-patterning and dropped stitches.

[@LucieLucieBBeaulieu]

I just bought a second hand sk700. The carriage was blocking on occasion for no apparent reason. I saw your video and followed your instructions. My spongebar looked exactly like the one in the video. I've now replaced it but now when I move my needles forward they pop out at the back so I obviously did something wrong and have no idea how to fix it. I've pulled it out and put it back a few times but they keep popping out. Do you have any idea why?

[@sofiaoutandabout]

@@LucieLucieBBeaulieu It sounds likely that the bar ended up underneath the needles, rather than above them. For some machine models/brands, you need to gently press down on the needles to make sure the bar glides over them - I use the selector comb for that and it only needs a little pressure.

[@emilywarren3129]

I think the white pieces on each end are for holding the sponge in so you wouldn’t need to tape the ends down but I am sure either way works

[@queequeg0323]

Hi, there are metal tabs that go around the plastic, holding it in place. You can bend the tabs back and put the new sponge under them, but it will fatigue the metal, and you will eventually break it and need to get a new bar. This way it can be replaced hundreds of time instead if 5 or 6 times.

[@julesyan]

How necessary is the double sided tape/glue? Wont the needles keep the sponge in place?

[@snow2267]

Necessary. It can fall apart as you push it in.

[@snow2267]

Also, just an FYI, you can buy a new bar if you don't want to do the whole process. I got mine for 15$ from knitting closent!

[@nancymorissette7564]

Can I disassemble the machine if my foam bar is shredded inside ? I used Red tape and it broke my New sponge bar.

[@paulinefraser1770]

How do you get the bar to come out the other end? It gets stuck and won't go any farther

[@chriskaelin8280]

I have a Toyota KS650 and had never heard of a flat bed knitting machine until a month ago. I don't have a clue where to start

[@Jilbrock]

I have a Studio SK 322 and the Ribber.

[@luanngraham1759]

I just received a Brother HK864. I cleaned & oiled all moving parts. The sponge bar seems to be good. All needles are sitting right, not floppy. But the bar is so tight I can't get it out to check. Can you help as to what is wrong. Also, after casting on very first row, moving carriage to right for second row the yarn follows to the right and jams. Can you help?

[@KnitFactoryImpl]

I'm sorry, I can't help with individual machines. You can try Ravelry or Reddit though.

[@Регина-п6ш]

Огромное спасибо за подробную инструкцию

[@4Luwana]

Brother KH260