I got a viking!
 

It isn't new but I am so excited I had to tell someone. A friend of mine came by today and my sister and I were working on a crazy quilt for my son. She said she had a sewing machine at home she wished someone would look at because she didn't like it. She doesn't know anything about sewing and wished for a simpler machine she could use without fuss. To make a long story short, her hubby and my hubby dug it out of the building where it had sat for most of ten years. When it arrived we gasp when we saw what kind it was- a viking 400-electronic! She didn't even know what she had. She said is that good?
I told her I would let her use my small brother I gave ten bucks for if she wanted something simple to learn on and she offered me the viking-yes - the viking for the brother and me make her a crazy quilt like the one I was working on. I ask her if this quilt would be fine and she jumped up and down. I love that quilt she said! I will take it! All I have to do is hand tye the quilt to finish it.
I am still in awe-walking around like what in the world happened. I never in a million years thought I would own a viking even if it is old. It is a beauty!!!! I am so happy I am doing the happy dance!!!

I used to have that model and loved it! I had it for about 16-17 years and it never required service. I was so sad that I had to see it go. It was great for FMQ!

That's what I plan to use it for. I was looking around for one I could use on Ken's quilting frame, I think I just found it.

congrats-sounds like a great trade and you both are happy.

Very exciting news. I bet you just want to play all day!
I have the Viking 500. It is nearly identical , even the same owners manual. I love mine , other than the occasional trip for cleaning .. its never had an issue.

Lori S. Since you have one about like it a question if I may. It sews beautifully but I noticed a small pecking racket in it as I was sewing and checking it out. Is that normal or do you think it might need a good cleaning or something. I read in the book no need for lubrication and checked for lint and found hardly any. Hope I have the bobbin in right. Just wondering. Thanks ahead of time for the answer.

Congrats!!!!!

Check to make sure you have the bobbin loaded correctly , it will make that sound if the bobbin thread has jumped out of the small tension bar located in the drop in bobbin case at about the 7 o'clock postion. When you thread the bobbin thry the bobbin tension it should "click" the thread into place. Also it only takes viking bobbins, they should have as H printed in the plastic. Viking never made a metal one for this machine. That H should always be facing you. when you wind the bobbin and when you drop in in the bobbin case.
That "bobbin case " is removable and I highly recommend you do periodically take it out, lint does collect under that case. You need a small hex screw driver to remove the one screw ( some time a dealer will replace that hex screw with a regular flat head screw. It can be a bit tricky at first to figure out how to get that bobbin case out, and back in but once you do it a few times you will gat the hang of it. It helps if you use rubber fingers ( like the bank tellers used to use) . Mine can with a rubber finger cover, your nay still have it.
Do check and make sure the needle is pushed all the way to the needle stop. Also change the needle.
Hope this helps.

I have 2 Vikings, and I love, love, love them. They are incredible workhorse machines, and even though the manual says there is no need for lubrication, that means that YOU don't have to oil it, but it should be taken in periodically, ( especially if you use it a lot,) and be professionally lubricated. Viking says once a year. And especially since that machine has been sitting unused for so long- I would definitely take it in. It's not cheap- in Houston it cost about $90. But it's money well spent to keep a great machine in top working order.

I love my Viking best of all my machines! Check all the things Lori S. said to do for it and it may need a check-up since it was stored for a while. Good luck. You will love it!!

Thanks so much. I will try all the suggestions made. What kind of needles do I need to purchase for this machine?

I like Schmetz and the dealer recommends them...

Congratulations...i have all Viking machines and i love all of them. I am sure you will love yours

I agree that Most Vikings don't need to be oiled but that doesn't apply to all. I have the mega quilter and it does require oiling, alot of you use it alot. I love all of m Vikings and they are all good machines. Normally if it makes a thumping sound its due to a needle needing to be changed. You can not use the sidewinder bobbing winder for Vikings because they are wound in a different direction plus you can't buy most of the already filled ones; they have to be for Viking and rather they are clear or colored they will have the H on them and that will be on top rather you are winding it or loading it.

It'll use most but some are better than others. Shmetz is good but I really like the inspira (which is Vikings). The eye of the needle is flat on the side where the thread comes thru instead of an oval so the thread has less chances of shredding. But I've use xglasse too and havent' had any issues. Make sure you use the right size for the job too.

Congratulations!!! A professional tune up might be a good idea. A fresh needle almost always is.