So, new job, new thing I've learned:
The serger that Viking calls the Amber 100, which was also the H Class 200 and H Class 250, is a serger model that gets traded and shared between brands a lot.
If your serger has the french door threading (two doors in front that make threading the lower looper guide easy), and possibly the recessed cutter, it's probably this serger regardless of brand. (Pretty much all recessed cutters are this serger, but not all of these sergers have the recessed cutter).
I have taught classes on this machine for over a year. I have been receiving training on servicing this machine. I know how to thread it, but I've watched two people thread this incorrectly and then just say that it doesn't make a good stitch.
The thread guide that looks like an elephant? The thread goes IN FRONT of that machine. Many manuals specify to make sure you put the thread in front of the elephant. PUT THE THREAD IN FRONT OF THE ELEPHANT. Do not put the thread BEHIND The elephant. IN FRONT. IN FRONT.
Your serger probably runs quietly and makes a lovely stitch and you're just fucking threading it wrong.
Here's where it's located on the threading path. Thread in front of the elephant.
Machines that i know for sure have the elephant: Husqvarna Viking H-Class 200, Husqvarna Viking H-Class 250, Husqvarna Viking Amber 100, Babylock Vibrant.
Machines that I suspect have the elephant: This serger labeled Buxel from walmart.com, many more.
If your serger has the elephant-shaped guide that the thread goes in front of so please put it in front of it please let me know the make and model, and I'll add them to this list so that hopefully people who have these sergers can find this post in a google result.
Starting a new cult about thread going in front of elephants.