Have a go with electric on. If you are worried about oiling try sewers aid instead which lasts ages only a pin head drop or less .
i have a similar problem to the stiff needle when using invisible thread. What happens is the thread wraps too tightly around the spool and doesn't flow freely. I have too stop and release check there is no tightness there.
Last edited by DOTTYMO; 09-18-2015 at 10:00 PM.