Basic brother mechanical machine
 

I just wanted to put a plug in for my basic Brother mechanical machine. It is the XR-52 bought at Costco about 12 years ago. That machine will sew through anything and will even do a very nice job at FMQ even though thr feed dogs don't drop. I just set the stitch length to zero. I haven't been great about cleaning it. About 9 years ago I made a chenille and flannel quilt and long after it was done I thought to take the plate off and clean it. I couldn't believe how packed with lint it was! And yet it never missed a beat. Today I broke a needle because I didn't have the right foot on for zig zag and took the plate off again and it was packed with fuzz. I cleaned it out and took the side off and oiled the moving parts. The manual says it doesn't need oiling but I've been pretty good about that. I just wanted to give this machine a pat on the back!!

Nice. Don't you wish those higher end machines were as reliable?

Too bad the newer basic ones aren't as solid. I bought one 2 years ago just to do piecing on. Wanted something easy to move around. It didn't last a year, pieced 3 quilts on it.

My original mechanical brother XL-3010 is still going strong for my MIL. It is 23 years old

My mechanical Brother VX560 still works great and it's 36 or 37 years old. I've pieced, FMQed and done Fmq embroidery with it.

Rob

i have an older machine that i never use. i hesitate getting rid of it because it is about as reliable as yours.

I recently took my 10-year-old Viking Mega Quilter in for a cleaning. The shop owner tried to convince me I should trade it in for $300 toward a new machine. First of all it's not my only sewing machine, I have others that do fancy stitching. But also I like my Mega Quilter. It should last a very long time. The last computerized machine I bought has had numerous problems. Also, my Mega Quilter is worth more than $300.

Just wondering why you don't clean it more often and how often do you change the needle? I'm not criticizing just curious. My sister has an old Kenmore that she uses often enough that she should have cleaned it at some point but she just won't, for most of us who have more than one machine if we mess it up it wouldn't be disastrous but she only has the one I believe hers is 35 years old.

Great. Nice to hear you are satisfied with it. As far as someone saying higher end not so reliable...I am not sure mine falls into higher end area but it was pricey and has performed well...no oiling either 😊

dont know if you meant this for me? I know you aren't criticizing. I guess I am just lazy and had been concentrating on some vintage machines I spent a lot of time with. I am also bad about changing needles! Trying to do better. I do have a lot of machines so none of them gets that much use.

I have an old mechanical basic Brother, too. Don't know the model, but it's reliable and quiet, goes through anything, and I decided to take it and leave it at my sister's house in Kentucky for when I visit--or in case she decides she needs to start sewing. :)

My first (and still champion) machine is an old Brother "Project 120" (not Runway) that I was gifted years ago by my boyfriend who bought it used. I love it. I have cams for it yet never felt brave enough to try them. As I learn more about mechanical machines (now I have 7, drawing the line there...I have no more space is why...) I am getting braver. Just wanted to chime in and say I love my old Brother. It's on vacation now, giving it a rest while I fool with my Bernina 830 Record. Boyfriend was a keeper too, 37 years and counting.

Almost half of my herd of 60+ machines are Brothers. Many models from the toy Baby Brother to embroidery machines. Most are vintage with the exception of the embroidery machines which are from the 1990s. They all work but my favorites are the 1950s models. They sew anything I can get under the foot and do it well.

Cari

I have a Pfaff 1473 bought in 1984 new and it still runs and I have sewed everything on it. It is beginning to have a few issues so I bought a Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0. I like it but somehow still love my 1473.

I have three machines. One is a really inexpensive brother machine that I paid two hundred bucks for. For what they are I would agree that they are a great machine for the price. In fact, my bernina is in the shop and I may go and get my brother machine and do some piecing. I would recommend it for a first time sewer to find out if sewing is their thing. It's a far superior to the singer once had. Singer makes a terrible machine compared to others.

My daily machine is a Kenmore I bought back in 1973. I take it in for a checkup every 2-3 years and it works like new. I also have a couple of 20-year old Brothers for backup that are just as reliable. Am afraid to buy a new computerised machine although I do have machine envy!

I have a Brothers machine that I purchased in 1959. It still works and I will never get rid of it. At that time, I was a single mom and no money. I bought the machine and paid for a sewing class and made my clothes for work (in an office). Love it! It got me through the hard times.

AMAZING!!! I found a machine just like mine on Ebay, having never seen one online except for 1 brief youtube video.
Apparently the seller doesn't know this machine too well...saying it probably needs to be oiled...mine came in a plastic carrying case and base...sigh! this one has original case, manual...so tempted...
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Rare-Vintage-...gAAOSw9GhYmnyz