Originally Posted by
foufymaus
Threading the buggers and changing the stitches. *nods*
I haven't had to replace my set yet. For my model you have to purchase replacement blades.
Yes threading is a painful process, and if your thread gets caught under the spool it will snap. This problem can be avoided to some extent by not pushing in the thread hangers. I just don't put it away, so it's the only machine I have to dust. Still, better than having to thread it every so often.
I had to change mine a month or so back. They don't sharpen them but the replacements were very cheap.
Mine is from around 1980 and is a Singer 14U12 (3 thread). I wouldn't have bought it only the GF insists that I finish her seams by overlocking, and it was $30. It does not use 15x1 needles.