I have a vintage Singer, circa 1931 that is a version of a machine Singer made for harness making, and it has an oil well. This is the quietest machine I have ever sewn on, and is by far my favorite machine. I also have several computerized machines from Viking that I try to get serviced yearly, or every 18 months, depending on how much I have used them. As far as I am concerned, it is well worth the $100 spent to service them and keep them in excellent condition. I do the same for my truck, so why not my sewing machine. It is an investment not to be taken lightly. I have had my Designer 1 for fifteen years and it is still working beautifully. My old machines I take care of myself, as did our "foremothers". Those machines were very simply made and easy to take care of, not so the newer machines.