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09-12-2013, 02:46 PM

#11

tessagin

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Join Date: Mar 2013

Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.

Posts: 16,105

My DH is also a car person, former auto body and mechanic. He still maintains our vehicles. He says every vehicle that can move should be operated at least an hour a week and get the fluids circulating. Also never let the vehicle get bottom dry low on gas because sediment especially from old tanks will ruin the engine. he has said that is the way to keep good maintenance on any machine. Sewing machine's included. We only recently found out his grandfather worked in a textile factory and helped maintain sewing machines.

09-12-2013, 03:48 PM

#12

DogHouseMom

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Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Knot Merrill, Southern Indiana

Posts: 5,781

Well ... judging by some of the vintage machines I've worked on, those motors have lasted a very long time. I think my oldest motorized machine is from the 30's and while the external wires needed to be replaced, the motor still ran. Bear in mind these motors are external unlike the motors on our modern machines.

I have not had the guts to take any of my modern machines apart to even look at the motor. I have no idea if they are the same size, voltage ... etc. I'll tinker all day with the old gal's, but my modern machines go to the machine doctor.

09-13-2013, 03:57 AM

#13

applique

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: MA

Posts: 1,507

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch's mom

Do any of you wonder how long the motor on your machine will last? Until the last decade or so, most home sewing machines were spec'd for garment sewing by the manufacturers. Garment sewing, as we all know, is very start and stop with rare instances of continuous sewing. Since these are the machines that were/are available, they are what we bought, with a few quilting accessories thrown in, to make them more user friendly for quilting.

Quilting using a domestic machine can be really hard on a machine motor. Do you think machines marketed to quilters have ample motors for the stress we put them through or do you think the manufacturers are using the same motors for all machines because there isn't a problem from the constant usage for quilting?

I just spent 12 hours riding in a vehicle and my thoughts wandered to this topic so I thought I'd ask.

This is exactly what my mechanic told me 40 years ago! I was going through secondhand machines every month or so. The hook broke, the race way gave way or the motor burned up. Finally he suggested I buy an industrial machine. I did burn out the first motor and he had to put in a new bigger one, but that was the last time I had it serviced. I do it myself since the motor is attached to the table and they charge mileage etc. for a visit.

09-13-2013, 04:37 AM

#14

barney

Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Mo.

Posts: 91

I have a15 yr old 5050 model Singer that I keep threaded in dark thread and use only occasionally. I have noticed it being quite warm to the touch does that mean the motor is burning up? My computerized brother never feels warm. I do not know if it has always run warm and I just did not notice or if its burning up.

09-13-2013, 04:46 AM

#15

ptquilts

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Vermont

Posts: 6,984

well, after about 50 years of use, first sewing clothes and then quilts, I burned out the motor on my mom's Kenmore. Brushes went and then the wires that hold the brushes got into where they shouldn't and the motor now needs to be replaced.

DH has the right idea, he has a treadle. He does most of the piecing.

09-13-2013, 05:20 AM

#16

coffeegirl

Junior Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Indiana

Posts: 185

I have often thought that the new machines should come with an indicator showing how many hours have been logged on the machine. When advice is given regarding maintenance, typically they say something like "you should have service or oil or needle change or whatever every so many hours of sewing." Honestly, how in the world would you know when that is? I certainly don't keep track of the time the machine is actually running. I come from a family of sailors and our boat engine had an indicator of the number or hours/minutes the engine has run. It was very helpful when it came to servicing.

09-13-2013, 05:41 AM

#17

peacebypiece

Junior Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Posts: 255

to coffeegirl:
Viking computerized machines do have a counter that lets you know how many hours you have used it. I bought a used Designer I in 2004 and sewed over 700 hours with it the first year. Still running just fine.

Last edited by peacebypiece; 09-13-2013 at 05:42 AM. Reason: spelling

09-13-2013, 06:05 AM

#18

BellaBoo

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Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: Front row

Posts: 14,646

The newer no oil machines are the ones that have to be run regularly. The silicone is embedded in the moving parts and will lock up if not used for a long period of time. The older machines, a good oil dousing and the parts are good to go.

09-13-2013, 06:11 AM

#19

katesnanna

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Brisbane, Australia

Posts: 3,453

My first machine, I had for over 30 years. I maintained it myself, cleaned it regularly and kept it covered when not in use.
I now have 3 Janome machines (MC 10000, 6600P & a 5024) as well as an overlocker which is almost 30 years old.
I used to have my machines serviced every year but my machine mechanic has told me I only need to have them serviced every two years as I keep them so clean. He has said on more than one occasion that my machines are the cleanest he has ever seen.

09-13-2013, 06:45 AM

#20

lclang

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2009

Posts: 2,061

Some of the older machines have grease holes in the motor, which means they need maintenance now and then. The newer ones are supposed to be lubricated so that you don't need to oil them. I think that is questionable if you use them for long periods such as for quilting for long stretches of time. Maybe a sewing machine specialist can shed some light on this subject.