I don't usually take any of mine in unless I can't fix it. My Viking #1 broke (something with the presser thingy) and I took it apart and found the little piece that broke off inside and repaired it, didn't think I could...BUT I don't give up very easy and I finally got it. It was in a hard spot to reach. I figured I saved myself a couple hundred dollars. I also took apart my "new" FW and cleaned and oiled and greased her. I had my Viking serviced once and they charged me almost $200 to re-align the needle area and they never even fixed it , something else happened to it and I had it back there 3 times before they got it right.I try to keep my machines clean all the time.