One of the disadvantages of my $20 garage sale serger is that it did not come with any kind of manual. I contacted Baby Lock and asked about buying a replacement, and they said it would be $16.99 plus shipping. Hmmm. I decided to wait.
In case anyone else runs into the same issue, I bought a Baby Lock Protege BL5370ED, also known as a BL402, and I couldn’t find the manual for free anywhere on the internet. I’ve been figuring it out as I go along, not wanting to spend almost as much on a manual as I did on the machine.
Well, today I went into the local sewing machine store to see if I could order a lower knife for the machine. When trying to serge knits, I’m getting a raggedy edge, and according to my reading that means I need a new lower knife. The nice man was able to order the part for me for $3.95 and he also (without realizing it) gave me a huge tip in my search for a manual. He said my machine was manufactured by Tacony for Baby Lock and that the same manufacturer did identical machines for Riccar and Simplicity. Using the part number as a reference, I googled and figured out which Riccar is the same model, and SCORE! The Riccar website has the manual available for free download.
So, in total the machine has now cost me $23.95 🙂
In case anyone else needs it, the Riccar model is RL 739ED, and the manual is here.
Update: I no longer own this machine, I broke my lower looper and was unable to find a part to replace it, and I’ve moved on to another serger. I love comments, but pretty much everything I know about this serger is in this post, so I can’t really answer any questions that the manual linked above doesn’t answer.
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Hi! Found you on a search for parts for my Babylock serger that I’ve had for years. I stupidly moved with out the power cord and pedal, manual, and all other accessories. Thanks for the tips on the manual and other numbers to look under. I’ve been having the hardest time finding things for the BL5370ED! You’ve been a life saver, you have no idea.
~Zar
Thank you for the helpful information. I had purchased my serger a few years ago and it had no manual. I downloaded the one I needed today and found out that there is a built in pocket on the housing with the tools in it. It was not obvious so now I am off to see if the tweezers are internal as shown in the manual. Also the major reason I have been fighting with the thing is the order I was using to thread the loopers. You have made me feel so much better about the whole thing. thanks a million.
MIG
Thank you! I just bought a used Babylock with no manual, either. It didn’t seem right that in this day and age the manual wasn’t online. Okay, and I’m too cheap to spend the money to buy a paper one. You saved me both money AND time. Yea!
Thank you!!! I am picking up my Babylock on Fri. for $25.00. Like new. No manual included. Thanks for the info, I am printing it now!!!
Susan
Wow – you just saved me a big headache, deadline looming, never fully unpacked from a move, about to have the vapors, etc.
Thank you!
Wow – you just saved me a big headache, deadline looming, never fully unpacked from a move, about to have the vapors, etc.
Thank you!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
I’m obviously not as good as you, ‘cos I’ve had this machine for three weeks and can’t get it working at all – problem solved.
Bless you! I lost my manual years ago and haven’t been able to find a free download until now. Thank you!
Wow did this post ever save my afternoon! Thanks so much for posting the manual. I am not kidding that I spent an hour threading the machine ,which had been working perfectly and then got the threads tangled. Now it’s working again!! Hooray. Apparently the real trick is in having the second looper all the way to the right when threading it, and then making sure the thread does not get in front of the other looper. Picky! Well, thanks so much for this….many blessings…
Thanks so much! Searching for two days. This has helped me tremendously!
Thank you for the info on the Manual for Baby Lock 402 aka Ricar!!!!!
Thanks for the info … just picked up my bargain ($14.99)BabyLock Protege from the shop , having it looked over and tuned up etc as i have never used one….to my shock it came up to $245. for the work done ! Hope it is worth it but i do need a manual. Mine says BL402 then …C4-010330 is that the same as the one you all have been discussing …(Riccar RL739ED) just wondering before i order manual
and does anyone know what was in the hindged cubbie on left when new …. am i missinf parts ? mine is empty 🙁
Thanks
I am also looking for help with a BL4-838D serger. Manual has been lost along with the power cord. Plus the telescopic thread bare broke during a move. I have spent hours on the internet trying to download a free manual to no success. Baby Lock site says it is no longer available. Any help would be appreciated.
I would like to know if there is a way to drop the cutter on the 402? I am putting in sleeves and cuffs and having trouble going around curves. I have cut into my material once and don’t want to do it again.
tia
Donna
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thanks for the help. I didn’t know to move the front cover to the right to expose the knife. I got it out of the way. I know nothing about surging so am learning a lot by trial and error. the manual writes like I all ready know how to run the thing!!! anyway–thanks again
Donna
Thank you so much for this. I have been looking for a couple hours. From what others have paid, looks like I paid a little too much for this “old” serger. I paid 91. 🙁 We will see if I can get it working right, if not I will take it back. Bought it at a pawn shop. You are a lifesaver. Thanks for leaving this post up to help us out.
Laurie
Thanks for posting this. I found the same exact serger today on Craigslist and it was FREE, yep FREE. It did not come with a manual, so I will be downloading it and learning.
Thanks again
Thank you so much for the help with the manual. The link didn’t work, but I was able to look it up with the number you gave.
That will save me so much time.