Sewing machine broke, may as well clean
 

so I'm sewing, FMQing my little heart out and the needle starts slowing down, the machine begins to groan, like it's pulling a bag of bricks instead of a little needle, and then it grinds to a halt. I can't even turn the wheel manually without a lot of force.

My husband refuses to understand how futile it seems to put $100 in service charges into a $300 machine that's been used 2-1/2 years, when I would really benefit more from a new Juke 2010Q with a larger throat. Part of me says go ahead and get it, after all, it's easier to get forgiveness than permission; but it's a lot of money to start a fight over.

The broke model is a Singer Confidence Quilter - any ideas how it could be repaired on the cheap?

It sounds like it just needs a good oiling. Mine did the same thing one time. Lesson learned, I oil a little more often.

It's the second part of your title that throws me. If my sewing machine broke, cleaning would be the furthest thing from my mind.

I had this problem just a few days ago, on my Brother SQ-9000. I ended up taking out the 6 screws that hold it together, cracked the case open, cleaned it for what seemed like forever, and oiled every metal part that moved. Put it all back together (okay, so this took 4 times to get it right but we won't mention that) and it works like the day I bought it again. I just couldn't justify spending $100 for someone else to do it when I only paid $200 myself to buy it new. Hubby had very little faith in me but I figured, what's the worse that could happen? As long as I was careful when taking it apart, I wouldn't hurt the wires for the computerized part of it and I would be saving money. Maybe ya could try it? Just go slow, pay attention to what's what and what's where and be careful of any wires that connect to both sides. Hope ya get it worked out, good luck!

Try what PJ says. You will be so proud.

There is good advice here, take the sucker apart, and clean and oil it. and put it back together. will take time, but if after all that - it still doesn't work, I would say buy the machine (if it is in your budget) that you want. I would look on ebay and compare prices, your local store will work with you on a price, and see what time of payment plans you can find. I don't know your relationship with your dh, or your financial situation, but sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

I agree with this totally

Ditto!

They tell you that you can't clean/service your computerized machines, but you can. The computerized parts are all encased and protected. You can do exactly what PJ said to do. And you always need to oil your machine regularly if you are fmq'g. And more than once if you are working on a big project.

Sorry your DH doesn't understand. I would take the housing off and see what I could see. I would use the repair cost to buy a vintage Singer. The 301 is a great FMQ machine and are usually under $100.

I would take it apart and see what I could do! If I could not get it up and running I would not spend the money to have it repaired, I would save that money for a new machine!!!!!! So sorry hubby does not like the idea!!!!!