MamaLinda

My White serger came back from the repairman with the notation that it wasn’t worth fixing! I bought it in 1987!
Have any of you recently gotten a new Baby Lock or other serger that you’d recommend? I don’t want to spend too much since it’s not used that much but when I want to serge seams, etc. I want it to work well. I also sew for a group called Days For Girls and use it for that.

IrishgalfromNJ

I have this one from Singer. Link here: https://www.joann.com/singer-profess...&utm_campaign=[ADL]%20[Shopping]%20All%20Products&utm_term=4585238368533432&utm_content=All%20Products&adlclid=ADL-4d8bba5e-7800-4074-ab5c-7f5951ec2e46 I like it a lot. It took me a little while to get used to threading it and if I could have afforded something with an air threader I would have bought one, but this one has a cover stitch function which I think I will use at some point.

pocoellie

I would get a second opinion, personally. My serger is a Babylok from '82. It's probably got a million miles on it and it's still going strong.

QuiltNama

I have a Juki 634 and it has been going strong for at least 15 years. It is not self threading but a real work horse.

QuiltE

I don't have a serger, and really do not know anything about choosing one.

Howeverrrrrrrrr ...... here's an option for you to consider.
When I think I need something serged, I use my regular DSM,
with what I call a "faux-serger" stitch.

Gives me a nice thread enclosed edge along the same idea.
Bonus ... only one machine to maintain!

MamaLinda

Thanks for the answers. I'm pretty sure my serger is at the end of it's life. It is jamming and I'm usually able to clean, oil and maintain mechanical machines but couldn't get to the problem with this one.
There are a lot of my projects other than quilting that serging is very important for me. Now that I've reached the 70's, want to be reasonable about the time I might have left to use one which is why my preference is the lower cost machines. Only have 1 son, and all my sisters already have "fancy" sergers so they wouldn't need mine! Had hoped this one would outlast me but . . .

Stitchnripper

I have a Brother 1034D which is about $200. It doesn’t have air threading but I watched a YouTube tutorial and can thread it with no problem. It is a nice machine.

MariaM

I have a Bernina L450. I've had it just over a year. It doesn't have air threading but is very easy to thread. Initially, I had gone to the dealer to look at a Babylock Imagine. The saleslady showed me everything from a Huskylock to the Babylock. I settled on the Bernina because it stitched as well as the Imagine but was half the price.

Murphy224

You might check with a Babylock or Janome dealer near you for a trade in model they have for sale. Janome came out with "air threading" technology like Babylock last year (I think) and since most dealers will take a trade in if you upgrade, you might find a very good used model for a very good price. They may even give you something for your old one! Never know unless you ask.
I bought my Imagine Babylock serger off Craigslist about 10 years ago and it has worked beautifully, so I can recommend that brand.

junegerbracht

I bought a top of the line Babylock two years ago. Great machine but truth be told it mostly sits in it case. But since you seem to be someone who will use a serger I would go with a Babylock.