machine maintenance
 

I have found the cans of compressed air sold for cleaning computer keyboards, invaluable for cleaning the lint out of my sewing machines, it loosens all the fluff and then I use the little hard brush that came with the machine to clean it all out.

The compressed air might blow little bits of fluff into other areas. I sometimes use it on my vintage machines because I can take off panels and see all the inside parts for a thorough cleaning. But on my newer computerized/electronic model I can't do that so I don't use it. The fluff might mess up the electronics.

I was also told this by my machine repair man. I also have a computerized machine. It's better to use a vacuum to draw the fuzzies out. Compressed air can force lint into unwanted places.

When I bought my Baby Lock Jane the Lady that owns the store told me to use it. I bought a can but have not used it. She also has a Son and Nephew that work on machines. They are not very good, last time I took two machines in for cleaning--- they were not cleaned. My last trip there. I just use brushes to clean them. Straight stitch only machines.

Not had a problem so far, but my machine although computerised is fairly old n I would like a new one, but that said I would hate to cause any damage to it as it has been a real treasure and sewn everything ive thrown at it. I'll go back to the vacuum cleaner.

Make sure you fasten a nylon stocking over the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner hose, in case anything is loose!

My Janome repairman said to be sure not to use compressed air as it can blow debris into the machine - actually harming it. He said to be sure to only use vacuum and as Neesie said - to put a stocking over the end - just in case.

Okay, this is from an expert sewing machine repairwoman (not me !): do not use compressed air. I just picked up my Bernina after getting it cleaned and serviced and she asked me what I used to clean it with. I said: compressed air. She said that was a no-no, use a vacuum cleaner. She said all we do is push the dirt, lint, oil whatever into piles that does not blow out. So that is what I will do in the future. This woman is a true expert at repairing all machines, she has quite a reputation in our area.

I have also been told not to use compressed air. I do use it on the longarm, where the fluff is being blown straight out and not into the works.

I think it might depend on your machine. The end cap on my machine comes off, then I can blow the compressed air in that direction, so it goes out - not in. This is per the advice of my Babylock dealer. Of course, I just occasionally go to that much trouble - most often, I just clean out around the bobbin case.

In addition to blowing the crud harder into the insides of your machine, compressed air contains moisture (water) that can damage delicate electronics or cause metals to corrode.

The stocking idea, I never thought of that, thanks Nessie.......calla

I use the compressed air ... but ... only on the top part of the machine and only after blocking the needle plate and bobbin areas so I don't blow anything into that part of the machine. If I knew how to take apart the bottom portion of my machine I might use it there also, but am not willing to do that.

I watch my machine repair person and she used very compressed air to clean out the machines.

If you take the housing off your machine it's okay to use the canned air. Never blow your breath to remove lint. Your breath contains moisture which is bad for the machine.

Ditto what Neesie said. I have used my vacuum with the knee-highs to clean my machine and other things to just catch what I need. Found a foot for my machine also.

This is also what my Bernina dealership told me. He had to replace the bobbin case becuase there were signs of rust from the compressed air.

I bought a can of air too...then DH told me in no uncertain terms what a bad idea that was...I knew if I used it and something happened I'd have to listen to I told you so for the rest of my life....Can't remember who, but someone on the board suggested the little vacuum attachments at Harbor Freight...They come with step downs to fit most any vacuum cleaner and they work wonders. I think it was only about $8.00. I am so grateful for all the tips I have found here...this right at the top...Amazon has them too cheaper...LOL
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Vacuum-A...attachment+kit

I was told by my machine repairman to never use canned air. It forces lint into place on the machine that cannot be removed easily.

I like this hint! I vacuumed up a loose foot one time!!

I understood that you should not use those cans on your sewing machine - might blow dust somewhere where it could mess up your machine.

I think the electronics are in the head of the machine not in the base.

Recently bought the entry level Pfaff machine and was told to NEVER use the air that it would ruin my machine.

Well my computerized Singer Quantum uses air to run the foot control. The air is going into or out of the machine, haven't figured that out. It's not a good idea to keep compressed can air in your home anyway. It's deadly if inhaled.

Has any one had a Circuit board go out in there machine.

I took my baby lock Decorator's Choice in for I had it start to beep and show an error code of f01, the dealer said that the Circuit board went out. He would have to order it. He said they are hard to put in and Baby Lock has a 5 year warranty on the part but not the labor. So he told me it would that would be about $120.00 for labor. He has had it a week and haven't heard a word. I know someone else that had the same thing happen on there Bernina and it was $600 to repair it.

5 years ago I watched the one and only time my machine was cleaned. He used an air compressor. I watched where the oil went.
I have an air compressor so I take it apart and then outside. Blow the lint out and a drop of oil.
Sorry but I cannot explain where the oil goes.

Air compressor is different than canned air. I used canned air on my keyboard and it left a film of oily something that I could never get off completely and it collected dust like a magnet. I would never use it inside a machine or on my keyboard again.

I use a brush to get out the big fluff and then compressed air for anything that the brush couldn't reach. I've been doing my machine maintenance this way for years and, this is going to get me in trouble, have never had a problem. I have four machines and do the same on all, have never had a machine in the shop. You know what they say about tempting fate? Well I figure I've just made a big boo boo.

I was told my a longarm repairman NOT to use the canned "air" that is sold for computers for this reason on my longarm and also another reason not to use it on my Elna--that the canned stuff is not really air--but is canned gas and that it not only is oiled and collects dust, but also will attract moisture in the air--certainly not needed in a machine! So he suggested if I can truly find canned AIR to use on my long arm,to go ahead--otherwise I can use our air compressor (not practical) a bike pump, or better yet, the vacumn cleaner. And he suggested only a vacumn for my domestic machine cause I wouldn't want to blow bits of stuff into the case where it lodges in moving parts. Now my cheaper, traveling machines that are not computerized and I can take apart are another story! I've looked but can't find true canned air, so plan to buy one of those little specialized attachment hoses for my vacumn to clean my machines (think Keepsake catalog has them??)

Here's a good article about using canned air http://bearhugquiltworks.blogspot.co...s-to-wise.html

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Colleen

they really aren't good for computers

Not all of them. There are some machines with sensors for low thread in the bobbin case, etc. My cousin swears that canned air is why her Janome had to be repaired. It threw off the thread cutter.

Oil is typically one drop wherever metal rubs on metal. Not 4 drops because they were small, and if there are -any- electronics around where you're oiling be extrememly careful. Oil and electronics do not get along, which is why I don't think I'd encourage anyone to do their electronic machines themselves, only the "manual" ones.

As the link that cmrenno posted mentions: a sewing machine repair person sees your machine "naked". If you fully diassemble, it's a lot different from blowing air into the bobbin area and around the needlebar. I use an air compressor (some of the same risks - moisture, etc) but that's because I've fully disassembled the machine to do it.

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That's exactly what a Kenmore / Janome machine I had on my bench last week looked like. There was stuff so packed in it looked like someone had knitted a scarf for the gears. No wonder it had "issues". ;)

I was told to never use compressed air because it can blow everything back into the deeper parts of your machine. I use vac and tweezers.

I use my shark vac and tweezers to clean out ...no compressed air

Harbor freight has a set of vacuum crevice tools for the$8 that go on end of you vacuum hose also great for keyboard and other small spots