Lostn51

I think in a way this is kinda going overboard but since I service vintage machines it has turned second nature for me to do this each and every time I use one of my machines.

The first thing I do is pull the machine down to get to all of the workings then I make sure all of the lint is out of the works. Then I oil the machine top to bottom, front to back. Essentially I give my machines a complete service before I use it on the next project. Even to the extent of putting my set of gauges on the machine and checking the tensions of the bobbin and feed.

Billy

jojo47

On these newer machines, they tell you NOT to oil. I can't even find an oil hole on my Pfaff. On my mom's Golden Touch and Sew that I inherited, yes, I can.

Kryssa

When you guys say you clean it after every project and clean the bobbin area after every bobbin change, what does that mean? I am new and just got my machine last week and want to take care of it. I'm guessing it means more then wiping down the outside :P

I am kind of afraid of my machine. I worry that if I were to open it up, I'd break it :P

oldswimmer

Boy I am glad to hear you say that. I bought a Pfaff not too long ago and I clean the bobbin area, but I never could find any place to oil it. Kept looking through the instructions to see if I was missing it. I took it in today because I thought it needed a good look through. I am just used to cleaning and oiling my old Kenmore I guess.

janRN

I've wondered about the $89.00 price I was quoted about cleaning and a tune up for my Viking. What do you think? I'm really anal about cleaning my machine. I don't take it apart. I'm sure there's something in there that probably needs checked, right? I guess I'm trying to justify spending that $89 when it runs fine and sounds fine. Suggestions please...
I have a Dirt Devil Kwik-a really small (12") hand vac that works great on my machine, computer, and any other electronics. Just enough suction but not too "sucky" (is that a word?) to damage equipment.

Quilt Mom

When I bought my viking, the dealer taught me how to take it apart and thoroughly clean it. I "remove screws and get into the works..." So mine has been in to be 'tuned up' only once. We had moved in the interim, and the new dealer couldn't believe I did my own cleaning. The machine is now 30 years old.

sewnsewer2

Boy, I must be a clean freak! :lol: I clean mine everytime I change the bobbin.

I do take it in to the tech every 4 months or so tho for a check up and once over and cleaning. He says I have the cleanest machine he's ever seen and asked if I use it. :lol: Yep, almost every day!!

shopaholic97

I clean mine every time after a every project & put in a new needle. It is surprising how much gunk gets in the small area.
Serena

Stitchnripper

INterestingly, I emailed Brother about oiling my cheapy XR-52 (mechanical). There are no oil holes, and I would have to unscrew the case to get to the innards. The response was to take it to an authorized person to have it cleaned after a certain amount of hours sewing. I do clean out the bobbin casing myself, but not that often. I haven't tried taking it apart to try and oil, so if anyone has any advice for me it would be appreciated. I do like the machine. It seems to be a workhorse (of course now that I said that, it will probably go on hiatus!!!!)

shopaholic97

I must admit I was not always as diligent about cleaning my machine & like you would never remove the bobbin casing but I took a machine quilting class & the first hour was spent on her teaching us how to clean & oil our machines. One woman had her machine for 20 years & had never cleaned it & she couldn't believe how much better her machine ran. None of us could believe that it was still working.
Serena