When my husband packed the car in the fall for our ride to Florida where we spend the winter he mistakenly packed my old sewing machine that I had put aside to give to our son. The other day I pulled it out and decided to have a look. It is a Kenmore over 30 yrs old. Back then I was very intimidated by a sewing machine, as I was new to sewing. I read through the book and realized I could open the whole machine and clean and oil it. I was very proud of myself and it still works great. All set for my son now. 30 yrs ago I don't think I ever cleaned it, in fact I didn't like this machine much at all and stopped sewing in the late 80's. I didn't understand things, like tension and pressure feet and cleaning. 5 yrs ago I bought a new computerized machine to start sewing again and with the age of computers I now know so much more about sewing and machines. I'm not at all intimidated now, although I would never think of opening up the new machine except to clean under the needle plate and bobbin area.