Seriously, I can only tell you all because you will understand.

A little while ago there was a topic on here about oiling your machine- I think someone didn't know if they were supposed to. Long story short, I decided to look in my machine's manual to see if I had to oil mine. I had always assumed I didn't because I wasn't TOLD when I bought the machine. It's a Babylock Quest Plus.

Guess what? Oh yeah, it needs to be oiled in a little spot on the bobbin case about every 15 hours of use. I've had it since July of last year. Luckily I have some machine oil that came with my Bernina embroidery machine that I got in November.

My sewing "mantra" has been expanded from the basic "measure twice, cut once" to "read and understand your manual".

Oh dear, I have the same machine and had no idea either! Thanks for sharing.

I have had my brother for about 2 years and did not know I was suppose to oil it either. It was running fine so I didn't think about it. So I found my manual which was lost and found out it is suppose to be oiled every hour that I use it. Boy was I surprised it was still running.

I have to laugh, because you gals are NOT the only ones who don't read the manual from cover to cover. We are probably all guilty. It's not our FIRST sewing machine, so we take the lesson or lessons the dealer gives us, or we read what we need to know to get started, and from then on we only look up whatever we need to look up!

Thanks for the reminder!

pam 1966, good point, I will double check my manuals. Thank you for bring this to our attention.

Thank you for letting us know this... It wouldn't hurt if we all double checked our manuals :D:D:D

I think the maintenace section is the only section I've ever used in my manual.

Every machine needs at least a drop of oil in the bobbin, even the drop in bobbins, they go at fast speeds to rewind.

My Juki needs lots of oil. And I give it to her. I want this baby to last a long time.

My husband is a sewing machine mechanic who worked in the sewing industry for 25 years. Trust me, every machine needs to be cleaned and oiled on a regular basis. A one inch wide, soft, natural bristle paintbrush will do the trick of removing the dust and grime. Start at the top of the bar that holds the needle and work your way down into the area where the bobbin is. Dust every place where the brush will fit--be gentle. Now move the needle bar up and down slowly, oiling any parts that move that you can reach. Run the machine slowly then add a few drops of oil in the bobbin area. You're ready to go as soon as you sew off on a scrap. I like to use a light colored scrap so I can see the oil when I start and make sure all the extra has run out.

You should take it in to have it professionally cleaned and oiled about once every year or so. These guys get really deep into the machine, clean it, oil it, and time it. So, when you get it back, it will run like a dream. Ask your mechanic to show you the best way to clean and oil your particular machine.

One last thing.....listen to your machine. Really! Sew before you clean and oil it, listening to the sounds it makes. Sew again and really listen to how quietly it sews after you clean and oil. The fuzz and dust actually get into the parts and separates them in minute amounts: that's the sound it makes as the parts struggle to turn and work. The oil helps the parts to slide against each other so that they don't get sticky and mucky. Now anytime you hear the sounds, you know you need to clean and oil. BUT it's better not to wait that long...you're machine shouldn't have to cry for help before you give it a bit of attention. I clean and oil my machine EVERY day before leaving the quilt studio. The oil gets to seep into the parts overnight, and I get to begin every day with a machine that sews like a dream.

Yes, Richard does work on my machine, including a good cleaning and oiling yearly. But, I've learned a lot from him and do my part of keeping it clean and oiled, and I NEVER mess with the stuff I don't know. When others do, it aggravates him to no end!

OMG, I'm going to oil my machines TODAY!

:lol: Years ago my brother was getting ready to take my mothers car to the garage to have it serviced and "greased" and my mother said "Why? Didn't they do that at the factory?" :lol: Its been a family joke ever since. :shock:

Fleur, you are soooo lucky to have a resident machine repairman! Welcome to the board BTW

Thanks for the information. My Viking Designer isn't supposed to be oiled, but are you saying we should be oiling the needle shaft and bobbin on AlLL machines?

my brother 270D embroidery machine specifies NOT oiling...I put a drop in the bobbin once and screwed up the tension so had to major clean that up til it was back to normal...the machine is completely sealed...Now my Juki is a different story, always put a note on it when last oiled so DD willknow when she quilts something

Oh my I better get my manuals out and read. I never read those things. Thnks

Ditto. When I got my machine I was told it didn't need oiling.
Wow. It only gets oiled when I take it in for the yearly maintenance. :shock: Don't be embarrassed. Thanks for the helpful tip to check into it. I'm sure lots of us are heading to our manuals now. :thumbup:

My Bernina Aurora has this little automatic oil can that comes up on the screen when it needs to be oiled. So I oil the heck out of it -- right? THEN I read the manual -- didn't oil where I was supposed to.... :oops: :oops:

You are not alone. I am guilty of not oiling as I should.

I tried to oil my machine where the manual showed, but couldn't get the nozzle at the right place. Not sure if it's me or the manual pictures. My one complaint about the manuals is that they sometimes are written so technically that I practically need a dictionary to figure out what is meant. Why do they use a $50 word, when a dime word will do?! lol

your not alone, Im glad you posted this because im not go at oiling also.But will try to get better.

Well, I'd call and ask the dealer, but I can't imagine that any machine with moving parts would NEVER need to be cleaned and oiled. Wouldn't every company get a hold of this technology and improved the world and their sales?

Thanks Linda. Maybe I should change my thinking to older machines that don't have the newest technology. Surely, I don't want to make anything worse for anyone, especially sewing enthuasists with new machines! I know how I'd feel if it happened to me that someone suggested something and I followed through only to discover that it made my life miserable.

I took a class on my new Babylock and I am glad I did because I would not have read the book and I would not have known to pull out the bobbin shuttle to put the drop of oil on the felt pad below. Don't feel bad. Now you know.

You went to the photographer, Marsye! How did he manage do take YEARS off of you?

Try lying your machine on its back.

Thanks, JoanneS, I didn't even think of that, I was so frustrated!
I'll try it tomorrow.

Lots of beauty sleep!!! :lol: :lol:

When researching where and how to oil my bernina Artista 180 it says I need to use rotary hook oil (mobil velocite # 10) It also said not to use normal sewing machine oil as it would gunk up the machine as the rotary hook oil is a lot finer(not sure if that is correct word)
So after thoroughly cleaning and taking apart the bobbin area I didnt oil it as i didnt have any of the rotary hook oil.
My question therefore is to anyone who knows for sure do I need this special oil??

Dont be embarrassed....I dont think there is any mistake I haven't made AT LEAST once...sometimes repeatedly lol.

Margie

My main machine is so old I don't have a manual anymore and I can't get another. It's an Electro Grand. So when I clean and oil it, I look where ever there's any lint to remove, and oil any little holes and where ever metal moves. If the oil can nozzle doesn't reach, I hold a toothpick over the hole and drip the oil onto the pick. It runs down and into the hole. Then wipe up any excess, run some scraps through to catch any extra oil and I'm back in business.

My manual is getting worn in spots. They also do not recommend this machine be oiled. I take it in to the shop on Tuesday and will pay them to clean, oil, and do a tune-up. It messed up on me and I have been without a machine for almost two weeks. It's killing me!

I think I found a manual for the Electro Grand sewing machine. Don't know if you need it, but this site says they have it.

http://pages.sewing-machine-manuals....922452725.html

Thanks for the link, but it's not quite that old. I got it in the mid 70s and it doesn't look like those on that link. So far, just common sense about oiling it has been working.

Darn and I hoped I found what you were talking about. I'd never heard of it.

YES! Sewing out on a scrap after oiling is really really a good idea. Don't ask about why I am so adamant about this! LOL!

I just looked in my manual for my Janome 6600. All it says is to wipe and clean. It doesn't say anything about oiling it. I guess I'll call the LQS where I purchased it to see if I need to.

I just wrote a PM to LostN51 for his expert opinion on this matter...

hoping that he will enlighten us with his knowledge after reading this thread.

thanks for saving me the trouble. every time i have to hunt for a manual it reminds me that my housework is overdue. :lol:

I have two industrial machines so I am the mechanic! One is over 30 years old and the only time I had a mechanic make a home visit was when I burned out the motor and had to have a new BIGGER one bolted to the table. Otherwise clean and oil frequently.