Brother KH800 knitting machine
$625 machine + $110 shipping (with insurance)
$735.00
This blog is about a specific Brother KH800 knitting machine, which I cleaned, serviced, and tested in March 2024.
To learn about the Brother KH800 model, with all its pros and cons, read my Knitting Machine Encyclopedia.
All needles were removed, cleaned, serviced, and inspected. The sponge in the retaining bar was replaced. The case and the lid were wiped thoroughly but I did not subject the case and the lid to excessive rubbing to remove all staining. So some stains remain. The same applies to the plastic panel: I was able to remove most of the dirt and grime but some minor staining might still be visible.
I installed new weaving brushes (it is typically a pain in the butt to do it – so take good care of them). The old ones completely fell apart. They are not black as the original ones but white with strong bristles.
The machine will come with all major accessories (which fit inside the knitting machine case lid):
- extension rails (to accommodate the lace carriage if you are using one or to accommodate the main carriage when you are knitting on the full bed)
- tension mast
- lace carriage
- big and small cast on combs
Most critical minor accessories are included too:
- metal 1×1 needle pusher
- claw weights (greenish. like the machine)
- latch and transfer tools as well as crochet needle
- set of 3 spare needles
- carriage lock
- puncher
- table clamps
- set lever (also known as ratchet tool)
- cleaning hand brush (good for cleaning carriage and removing some lint between the needles)
- two carriage handles (one for the main carriage and one for the lace carriage)
- row counter (I specifically looked for a greenish row counter to match the machine)
The minor accessories that are NOT included are marked below. These minor accessories do not affect the functioning of the machine. But read below about the punch and pattern cards.
The parafin is only needed for the yarns that are prone to static. The pen is actually for the knit leader and not for the machine. The greaze was old and I tossed it away. Any gun oil will work to service this machine. Any strong thin yarn can serve as a cast-on or waste-yarn thread.
All minor advisories are stored inside the built-in box with the lid.
The handles for both carriage are screw on and are also stored in this storage box. The carriage moves very smoothly on the needlebed.
The machine did not come with the original hard copy of the manual. It can still be found online for free. I can include a printed copy that came with this machine – just let me know but it might add to the weight (1-2 lbs) of the shipping package.
Even though the original pattern and punchcards are missing, it is very easy to make your own cards. I made a video on how to do it and described it in another blog. Follow the links for free pdf-files for the blank and pre-patterned cards. In my video, I printed out and used those cards.
Also, the cards are very easily to make (punch). Simply insert the cut-out of a new card into the punchcard reader and punch the wholes either using the punch provided or using a simple pencil. I describe it in my other blog and show it in my video as well.
The machine can be easily attached to a knit leader using the triangular tripper and the rod above it. Read on the manual of a specific knit leader on how to attach the machine to it.
I knitted several swatches (tuck, slip, stockinet and fair isle) on this machine to ensure the carriage functions properly. I also knitted on the full bed to ensure all needles form proper stitches and that the patterning mechanism works well on the whole needlebed. Watch the video of all tests. The picture below shows the tuck-stitch fabric knitted during these tests.
Check out my blog and a video (…coming soon) on the fair isle patterning on this machine. It was quite interesting.
The panel I knitted during all these tests was converted to this 3-in-1 berett/cowl/hood shown below.
Turned out pretty good!!
Now about imperfections:
The most obvious imperfection is the scratches on the main carriage. They seem to be just cosmetic and did not affect the functioning of the machine.
All other impefections are also cosmetic. Like some minor dents and scratches on the lid and the case (not shown).