for years they have put oil wicks in sewing machines, it lets the oil drip slowly to the parts needing it. a sewing machine is like any other tool, it needs oil of some type some place from time to time.why do you think you are suppost to take it in once a year to be checked? they should take it apart and service it where you can not get to it. if the machine is all plastic it gets no oil. if it has metal gears it gets grease, you can even use vaseline on metal gears. however, the old singers FW's must have only "motor grease" in the motor. that is why old machines have felt drip pads under the heads to catch the oil run off and save you fabric from oil stains.