After 38 yrs of sewing, I learned something new today
 

Imagine that! I learned sewing machine oil is made to evaporate. Any other type of oil hardens and turns dark with age, which is why it's bad for sewing machines. I've always known sewing machine oil is the only oil you should use on sewing machines but now I know why!:cool:

Well now I've learned something too! Thanks for sharing:thumbup:

Thanks. I keep telling my DH that 3-in 1 oil is not sewing machine oil, ( even if it does say on the can that it can be used for sewing machines). He said there isn't much that you can't use 3in1 for. Oh well. I'll just get me some regular sewing machine oil. Can anyone tell me the best and least expensive one I can get? Thanks for sharing this bit of information. Now I can tell him that other oils harden and turn dark with age, (makes it sound like I know what I am talking about). BrendaK

That's new for me also! I just was told to always use sewing machine oil and that is what I have done.

I got my sewing machine oit at the shop I bought my machine at. However thanks for the info, I never knew the reason for it either.

Joanns, has regular sewing machine oil, that is all you need. 3 in 1 oil is never to be used in a sewing machine, ask any sew tech.

I always use just sewing machine oil, but didnt know it evaporated. i purchase mine at the sewing
machine dealer.

I never knew that. Thanks for sharing your info. That is good for everyone to know, just so they don't use the wrong oil.

No wonder that we have to keep using it! Thanks for the info!

I buy the Bernina oil in the dispenser tube. It's mess free and good oil. I pay for the convenience of it being in the dispenser tube but machine oil is not expensive, much less then a spool of thread.

Good to know!!!!

I always wondered how the machine could use so much oil and not get all gunky. Didn't think about it evaporating! Good to know. Thanks. I use Bernina oil too.

I always use the regular sewing machine oil...never WD-40 as it isn't intended for the machines either. But...that said, I hate it when the oil discolors and you have to throw it away. Why can't they make oil that stays good enough to use for a few years???

I'd like to know why sewing machine oil always seems to come in those little tubes that leak when tipped over. At least now I can be reassured that leaked oil is evaporating away.

Good to know. I have no idea if 3-in-1 was ever used in the old machines I have...if Dad had a choice, I'm sure that's what he used. I have never used it in any of my machines and of course 3 of mine don't use oil at all, but the FW and the treadle do...I'm gonna bet that they both have had 3-in-1 in them at some time in their life!
This is why you need to take your old machines in to be serviced so they can be cleaned out of all that "gunk".
Thanks

I buy Singer brand oil and have never had any problems. Fairly inexpensive. Didn't know the fact about darkening and hardening. Goes to show, learn something new every day.

I learned that about a year ago--------------on this board.

Thanks for the information, that's something I didn't know. :-)

Thanks for the information. Reminds me, I haven't done that in a while!

I just took my Bernina in for a cleaning and a very large sign in the shop "Do Not Use 3 in 1 oil in your machines" is posted !!!

I have a can of Singer Sewing Machine Oil that I have had since 1969. It is still good & I still use it on the machines that have to be oiled, as well as other stuff, such as squeaky doors. I has not evaporated, turned dark or hardened. I think that says something for Singer Machine oil.

It's been more than 38 yrs. for me, but thanks for the input. Now I can surprise my husband with a little known fact! I can put that in the "Old dogs ..." file. :p

Thanks for sharing the info, I use sewing machine oil I purchased from where I purchased my machine.

Thanks for the info.

there is also different sewing machine oil so best to check with your dealer I have a Pfaff and a Bernina the Pfaff takes a clear oil and the bernina takes a yellow colored one and was told to never mix the two up as would mess up my machines I buy both at my Bernina dealer

The oil I buy at the Bernina dealer is clear. ? It comes in a dispenser tube that has Bernina name on it. It's the only oil the dealer sells. I'll have to ask about the colored oil.

I just looked at my manual on the machine I use the most... it says it doesn't need to be oiled. The other machines get oiled with sewing machine oil that I bought about 25 years ago at an old Minnesota Fabrics store.

Anita in Northfield, MN

Thanks so much for this information. I knew you were to use only sewing machine oil but did not why. Now I know and can sound so smart when I tell others, lol...thanks for sharing. :)

We're never too old to learn. I have always been told to use sewing machine oil ( and I do) but didn't know why. Now I do. Thanks for sharing.

Never knew why it was important to use ONLY sewing machine oil, but learned that a LONG time ago. Thanks for sharing why we must use sewing machine oil. Soooo glad I have always used it!! I just love this board and all the things we learn. Another "old dog" has learned something!!!

Wow, I don't know of any better way to prove sewing machine oil is different from all other types of oil than to look at your 25 yr old sewing machine oil. Regular oil would have thickened and darkened into a blob after 2-1/2 decades! LOL Your oil won't evaporate, since the lid is on it, but it is certainly a testimony to sewing machine oil!

I was always told to use the machine oil, when i bought my first machine almost forty years ago, i was told to never use 3 in1, only the machine oil, i am glad i do listen, i caught my hubs getting ready to put the 3 in 1 in my machine, and i almost broke his arm, i said leave my machines to me.

Thanks for sharing that. I'd never heard that either.

Thanks for sharing. I didn't know that either. Now I do thanks to you. :)

Thanks for the information, I didn't know that either. Now you are not the only one learning something new.

Nice to know.

Hah, my hubby's answer to everything is WD-40!! I buy my sewing machine oil at Walmart, sold right above the sewing machines - but I only have 2 machines left in the house any more that need to be oiled - the others are newer and are not to be oiled. :-)

Mary

Oh that is what I love about this board- we all learn something new !! Thanks for sharing ..

i never knew that and i only use the sewing machine oil but thank you for the info

No oil machines need oil! When taken in for cleaning the tech will oil key areas. The gears are embedded with silicone and are self lubricating and oil is not needed for those areas. But if the machine is not used the lubrication will dry up and take a toll on the machine to self lubricate. Never put a no oil machine in the closet and leave it for a long time. If you have a one that hasn't been used in a long time it will need a tiny bit of oil to get going smooth.