How much to get machine cleaned
#1
How much would you pay to have your Featherweight 221 cleaned and turned?? I just purchased one and I want to have it turned before I use it. I called the shop and they want $100.00 to clean and tune is that the average price??
#3
I just paid $90 for a cleaning of my 221 Featherweight. That from my repair guy that I've used for the past 25 years!
OUCH - but his records said it's been 5 years since I had one done and I had made something like 8 quilts in the last 6 months on it so it was worth it to get it going again.
OUCH - but his records said it's been 5 years since I had one done and I had made something like 8 quilts in the last 6 months on it so it was worth it to get it going again.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
How often do you all get them professionally cleaned?
If nothing is wrong, and you periodically take it apart underneath and clean out the lint and oil everything, how often do you need to have it done professionally if nothing is wrong?
If nothing is wrong, and you periodically take it apart underneath and clean out the lint and oil everything, how often do you need to have it done professionally if nothing is wrong?
#5
Only when it starts acting up. Sometimes that can be 2 months, other times 5+ years. Just depends on how much you are using the machine and what types of things you are sewing.
Do you oil and lube regularly? If so, it will be a lot longer between servicing. Do your machine wires look good (nothing old starting to break)? Does your machine gobble up thread in the bobbin or break needles constantly?
Are you using very linty materials (ie fleece and flannel) or very heavy materials (ie canvas and denim)? Those may cause problems with the tension, especially if you are jumping back and forth between cottons and these materials.
My mechanic says every 6 months or so. I do it only when I REALLY NEED TO - at $90 a pop, it just isn't always affordable.
Reality standpoint - the machine is VERY DEPENDABLE, so I do it when I need to or if I know I have a very important project upcoming where I CAN'T afford to have a breakdown in the middle of the project.
Do you oil and lube regularly? If so, it will be a lot longer between servicing. Do your machine wires look good (nothing old starting to break)? Does your machine gobble up thread in the bobbin or break needles constantly?
Are you using very linty materials (ie fleece and flannel) or very heavy materials (ie canvas and denim)? Those may cause problems with the tension, especially if you are jumping back and forth between cottons and these materials.
My mechanic says every 6 months or so. I do it only when I REALLY NEED TO - at $90 a pop, it just isn't always affordable.
Reality standpoint - the machine is VERY DEPENDABLE, so I do it when I need to or if I know I have a very important project upcoming where I CAN'T afford to have a breakdown in the middle of the project.
#6
Check out this site. I just took a class from them last Saturday on cleaning and oil/lubeing your featherweight. the book they sell is excellent
www.featherweight221.com
This is the sweetest couple. you can do it in about an hour yourself. very easy. they also have replacement items if needed. I had to get a new belt.
Blessings,
Lovequilts
www.featherweight221.com
This is the sweetest couple. you can do it in about an hour yourself. very easy. they also have replacement items if needed. I had to get a new belt.
Blessings,
Lovequilts
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,198
I have a 25 year old Elna that was just dropped off for a cleaning. When I picked it up, the repairman asked if I had ever even used the machine. He couldn't do much to it- $55 to verify that I had taken good care of her. A drop of oil per the manual and the lint brushed off.
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Dollyo
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10-12-2013 10:26 PM