SRP Ribber Bed Alignment and Adjustments

Silver Reed machines (Singer, Knitmaster, Studio, Empisal, Elna) often use interchangeable ribbers. The primary compatibility factor is the gauge of the machine. For instance, fine and standard gauge models can generally share ribbers, but the chunky 150 and 155 ribbers are not compatible with other models.

For a chart of main beds and compatible ribber models:

www.poppyshop.ca

Knitting Machines & Compatible Ribbers (Brother & Silver Reed Charts)

Welcome fellow machine knitting enthusiasts! If you've ever delved into the world of these fantastic fabric-making devices, you've likely encountered a confusing array of brand names. Today, we're going to unravel the mystery behind the two major knitting machine brands and, crucially, pair them with their compatible ribber attachments. Understanding these relationships is key to expanding your creative possibilities and ensuring you're using the right equipment.Let's break down the two giants i

Adjusting Vertical Ribber Height

A frequent adjustment needed is the vertical height of the ribber. Environmental factors like changes in temperature and humidity can cause a wooden table to warp, and the combined weight of the machine and ribber can also cause the table edge to sag over time. This significant weight poses a risk of the setup tipping over or the clamps loosening. Therefore, it's crucial to always use a sturdy, stable support and ensure the clamps are tight before you begin knitting.

Checking the vertical height:

1. Make sure the ribber is fully raised on its supports and the pile levers are up.

Pile levers raised

1. Pull out a few needles at the ends of the main bed.

2. Compare their position to the sinker posts of the ribber.

3. There should be just enough space for the needles to clear the posts when the ribber is racked. A good rule of thumb is to have the thickness of a sheet of writing paper as a safety margin.

1. Don't worry if the center of the bed is slightly lower than the edges. However, if it is higher, you must increase the gap to prevent collisions between the needles and the sinker posts.

   
   

To adjust the vertical gap:

1. Locate the 7mm nut on the back of the ribber bracket (labeled 'A' in the diagram). There is a corresponding nut on the other bracket.

2. Loosen the nut by about half a turn to free the lever (labeled 'B'). Take care not to loosen the nut too much or the bracket assembly may come completely apart.

3. Move this lever up or down to adjust the position of the ribber bed on the brackets.

4. Once you're satisfied with the height, re-tighten the nut just enough to hold the lever in place—excessive force is not needed.

   
   

Adjusting Horizontal Ribber Alignment

For side-to-side alignment, a single screw right next to the racking handle holder is used. Before adjusting this screw, try a simpler method:

1. Remove the clamps from the ribber brackets.

2. Loosen the screws on the ribber holders on each side of the main bed.

3. Apply gentle sideways pressure to shift the ribber.

4. If this works, tighten the screws and reattach the clamps.

If more adjustment is needed, you will have to use the screw (labeled 'C') next to the racking handle holder. This screw allows for small horizontal movements of the machine bed.

To align the beds horizontally:

1. Set the racking to the correct position of H5 for standard gauge models.

2. Move the ribber until the needles are directly opposite the main bed needles.

3. Once aligned, tighten the screw.