cleaning bobbin area question
 

Just wondering if there is a gadget out there to vacum out the bobbin area on our sewing machines. I have a drop in bobbin and when it collects fuss balls the bobbin will skip. I have the small attachments for my regular vacum. However, it is a hassel to drag out that big machine each time. Just wondering if there is such a thing as a hand held mini vac just for machines and electronics. If so where can I purchase one. If anyone knows I know the quilting board will know this answer. Thanks so much ahead of time.:shock:

Clotilde has a small vacuum for machines.
I use the little brush that came with my machine and a tweezer to clean my bobbin areas.

I did order what I have from them. It was not a small vac. It was attachments. I will look again to see if I can find it. Thanks.

I agree it is a hassel to drag out the vac to put the attachments and vacuum out the area and, although I have an inborn need to keep that area very clean, I only vacuum when I know it needs it. However, every time I change the bobbin I put a drop of oil on a Q-tip and clean the area. It is always amazing how much gunk comes out on that Q-tip. I also use the Magic Genie, and think it also helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdo_q0M2rsw

It may be important to note that I do not have a computerized sewing machine, so I have do issues with a bit of oil, but I think you have to be more careful with them. I had one machine that took one tiny drop of oil in that bobbin area (into the little bump with the hole in it) every time the bobbin was filled. I tore my hair out until I discovered that little quirk of the machine. I recently gave that old machine it to a friend of my mine, and received a call a little while later saying "what was it you said I should do when it starts to skip." One drop of oil did the trick.

I have not heard of a portable mini vac for machines, so continue on with my little regime.

amh
Saskatoon SK Canada

i agree that dragging the big machine out is a hassle, but it does a very good job in the deeper regions of my Juki that i cannot reach with qtips, tweezers, or artists brush

i agree with quiltnNan it is a hassle but it sure is worth it to
keep the machine humming along.

I have this one. Works OK for the bobbin area
http://www.crafttownhobbylandusa.com...hp?prod=NSP102

I have a car vac sitting in its charger beside the sewing area. It has a fold-out spout that fits into the bobbin area nicely.

I bought a $29.00 machine from Nancys Notions, it weighs about3 pound but has the suction of a big machine. I use this and my sewing machine stays lint free much longer

Just a note of caution: I was going to purchase one of those mini vacs from Office Depot that is used for keyboards/computers but the clerk told me to "save my $$" that it didn't work well at all. I have been on the lookout for one ever since. Going to check on the above recommendations! Thanks!

OK.........am going to throw this out there.......I use nothing but a can of compressed air. everytime I change
my bobbin, I give it a blast......been doing it for Years and years now......on both my computerized machine and my older Bernina.......

Its always been said that blowing into the machine will make the dust go inside the motor area and should never be done! Glad to know you've not had problems doing it!

I think it is just the attachments.
I have a wholesale acct. with them and have it sitting here for a customer pickup.
Just looked at it and you're right - no machine, just attachments.

You're right. I have one of those and it "ain't worth a dime":thumbdown:

Patski - I checked on Nancy's Notions and couldn't find a small vacuum for cleaning my machine - only attachments for a large vacuum. Could you tell me the name of yours and I will look again? Thanks

I use a small paint brush or a makeup brush. Seems to keep everything in working order.

Just saw one at our Walmart yesterday. I'm another using canned air for years, no problems. My 8 years old computerised machine just had it's first deep cleaning.No fuzz packed in, it was actually pretty clean. My new Juki has a sliding door (?) in the bottom to open to let the fuzz balls out. That tells me they want me to use canned air.(grin)

Every machine I ever bought had a little stiff brush in the attachment compartment that I have always used when cleaning out the bobbin case...Works wonderful....sometimes less is better.

I bought the "teeny tiny tank" from Nancy's when it was on sale for $19.99. It is currently on sale in her late summer catalog for $24.99 it is on page 27.

check out this link
http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...vacuum+tank.do

I'll put this one on my wish list!

That is what I was told by my repair guy also, but hearing another service guy second that is great to hear.:p

For those who are using canned air you might want to check out this site http://bearhugquiltworks.blogspot.co...s-to-wise.html

I have never used canned air in any of my machines. And after I saw this article I was very glad that I hadn't!

Colleen

i understand and appreciate your comment and the pictures, perhaps that is also a good reason to use better quality thread, which equals less limit.

I bought a $35 portable vacuum cleaner (for the car) at Walmart and I attach my Clotilde vacuum attachments to it. It has a hose on it. It has a charger on it also, so no messy plug ins. I found it in the vacuum isle at Walmart. Some Walmarts carry them in the car department. They are the size of a small breadbox. Very handy. They come with lots of attachments. I use it for the car and around the house and for the sewing machine (attaching the mini attachments to it).

I agree that the little battery operated computer vac is useless. It isn't strong enough to suck up anything, but...
It does come with a nice attachment for getting into the tiny areas around the bobbin.
So, I got out my duct tape....and secured the attachment to the hose of my hand held vac. That works great. And because it's a hand held vac, if I accidently vac up something important, it's not hard to find in the little lint filter. That wouldn't be fun in a regular vacuum!

Stores like Lowes have some small handhelds for shop use. I have a 1gal wet and dry in the garage. Small and light. Has a hanger. If you just keep it in the house and use it for sewing room, it makes no difference that it's a small shop vac.

Ladies, ladies, you can buy the vacuum set at WalMart and Harbor Freight. It's around $10 at WalMart and les than that at HF.

I have a Riccar sewing machine vacuum from years ago and I like it a lot.

I used canned air on the outside of my machine, to blast lint off of the presser foot and the like, but only with the plate ON so nothing goes into the machine. And when I pull the bobbin case out I'll blast that separately, but I don't blast anything inside the machine because it's not really going anywhere except deeper into the machine.

I use a little plastic-bristled paintbrush to grab lint gobbers. The longer handle lets me dip into the machine easier and it's kind of splayed out from years of usage so if I just touch lint, it'll grab it. I reach into areas the dealer would probably tell me to stay out of, but I'm careful and gentle and so far all is well. DON'T use a natural brush, the bristles will come out.

Canned air works to blast the lint off the brush too. (Aimed into a trash can, of course) It's also good for scattering annoying cats!! LOL (I don't actually shoot the cats with the air, just the noise scares them off.)

The repair department of my LQS gave me a lint magnet - actually it was a chennel or pipe cleaner. I can get it into the bottom of my Jamone and all around the bobbin case in all the small, tight places. You would be surprised how much lint you can get out. Works wonderfully and keeps the bobbin case clean and working well.

I know I misspelled Chennile, but you know what I mean - it's early!

I use a tiny shop vac that I purchased especially for my sewing room. Also bought the tiny accessories from Clothilde. It works great in the bobbin area.

I'm just wondering if it would help to vacuum out the machine every time you vacuum the house even if it doesn't need it. Just add it to the list .

I use a Lint Lizard, used to clean lint from the dryer vent, it does need attached to a vacuum. I attach to a small electric broom. Works for me especially in the bobbin area.
L.L. can be found at Bed Bath and Beyond for $10.99 and it really does work in the dryer vent(See the Sept. 2012 issue of Good Housekeeping, page 128). And I get to clean the dryer vent too.

The best tool I have for cleaning lint is a mascara brush - I also have a tiny brush used for cleaning teeth with braces. These will collect a lot of lint rather than sweep it around. You can get into really tight places. I also have a package of 3 in 1 flossers.

I used to use compressed air all the time, especially for my serger but when I bought my Babylock the dealer was emphatic about NOT using compressed air. All it does sometimes, is blow all the "guck" into the bottom inside of the machine & this came from the repair tech. When I bought my Bernina 820 the owner told me the same thing & lo & behold, one day I was looking on the internet & they showed what can happen when you use compressed air in your sewing machines or sergers, so I do NOT use compressed air anymore, except on the top area in & around my machine. You have been very lucky to not have problems with your machine. If you Youtube the question concerning compressed air & sewing machines this same video may come up & you can see for yourself.

UM I could rent out my DGKs (Nah, they are all mine!!!)
Here they are working on a Singer 401:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]368340[/ATTACH]

My tech. with our featherweight answered my frustration with the canned air from the electronics dept. of Wal-Mart. It blows out anything and everything.
He cautioned to not use it everyday, as there is water in it. But I just use it when cleaning my machines.
Mariah.

I have a battery operated mini vac that is perfect for vacuuming the bobbin area. It even came with a carrying case and attachments. It's made by Conair. I've had it for years and just discovered it a few months back so I don't I any idea what I paid but probably $10 or less. The suction isn't as much as an electric but you don't need a lot of suction.