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No real need if you do routine care on it!
I break mine down after 24 hours of use...clean it, wipe with oil, unset and reset the tensions, etc....Unless it is acting strange, making noises, or a computer program is not responding...you can do more harm taking it in than leaving it alone! |
I took my Viking mega quilter into have it looked at, the tension was not cooperating. It hadn't been looked at for 5 years. My Bernina did go in to a 2 year check up. I called the Bernina dealer and they made an appointment to bring the machine in to be serviced. I went to do some shopping and he called me about 2 hrs later and the machine was ready. I'm in Texas and have to drive to New Mexico for service. Service was 69.00. Good Service and he will do any machine.
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I take mine in anywhere between 1 to 2 years, and again if there is a problem. When I bought it new it went in 4 times in 5 years at no charge. Not so often now. I take of the top plate and clean all I can reach, and oil what I can/needed as directed.
The new babylock I am waiting to come in with go for it annual between 12 - 18 months depending on use. |
I take my machines in when I go away somewhere as I cannot stand to be without either... :)
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Good luck with baby. Sounds like a good plan to me. I'd find it hard to be without a machine too.
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I'm with BellaBoo. I clean and oil my machines myself. Mamaw said that oil is the life of machines--and her treadle still works well! Use correct oil-for sewing machines.
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I just got my Elna back from repair at my Berninia dealers cost me $34.95 for service and $7.50 for hook repair.
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Originally Posted by donnajean
I have never taken my 1996 Viking Rose in for a "tune-up" & it has logged a lot of miles. Maybe some have seen the quilt pictures I posted on 1/7. I'm just careful to keep in clean.
I do take out the bobbin, and clean underneath with cotton swabs after each project. Amazing how much lent accumulates within just a short time. |
I service them myself.
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Depending on the machine, you can do your own tune up ..As long as it seems to be running smooth. I worked in sewing machine sales and the tune ups were basically cleaning and oiling and lubricating the gears if you have gears. ( and yes they charged upward of 100 dollars) There are many blogs on the net telling you what to do. The instructions may be in instruction book that came with your machine. Along with the brush that comes with most machines i always have on hand pipe cleaners (bent they can get into small areas) and new make up brushes along with cotton swabs. Be careful with the swabs tho that you do not inadvertantly leave cotten in the machine.
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I just "put down" my 35 year old Singer machine. I have grieved it like I would an old friend. That machine was purchased the same month my daughter was born. We worked together on baby clothes, gifts, decorator items, garments, costumes, cheering leading skirts, you name it! It moved 19 times with me. My advice, keep your machine tuned-up! Even though I have a new one, I still miss my ol Singer and all the memories we made together. Is this silly or what....
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Took my machine in for repair in early November. Wanted it back quick to make Christmas presents. They thought it would be 2-3 weeks. Unfortunately the repair man had a heart attack. I'm still waiting for it so picked up a used machine to help me through.
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The dealer said once per year on my new Viking or twice if I use it a lot for quilts. Can't mess with these new computerized machines.
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My old Janome used to go about once a year, now it goes in when I have a problem, my new Horizon will be going in every year as recommended. The shop I go to is about 85 miles so I usually take a couple of machines when I go. They get them back in a day or two and the cost is about $90.00 per. The $90.00 is why I don't take the older machine in yearly. My FW and serger only go in when I have a problem.
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Yearly.
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Never!
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How do you like the Horizon? I just got one but am still reading through the book
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My very old Singer(no electronics ) hasn't been in in twenty years. I clean it after each sewing session to remove lint and oil it regularly. I also change the needle after each project. It runs as well as the day I bought it.
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I have an old Singer Industrial machine that I bought in 1984. I clean it and tune it up myself. However, I just bought a Viking quilting machine that has alot of gadgets and things, so that I will probably take in once a year.
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Mine goes in once a year. I like to think of it as a fine tuned Porsche and try to treat it that way. She's Sweet Sixteen this year.
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I have never taken a machine in to be serviced. Knock on wood. I just keep them really clean, and well oiled. Did I mention my second ever job was at Jantzen Knitting Mills? I was 18. I had to learn machine maintenance to keep the job, so now I do it automatically.
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BellaBoo -- where did you find the repair manuals? I googled a manual for the Viking1+ (computerized machine that doesn't require oiling) and found nothing that sounded reliable. I regularly follow the instructions given by Jan Hennings in her website. I do have it cleaned regularly but sometimes question if every year is necessary.
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I agree with Donna Jean. I have the Designer I, II and SE/LE machines and they don't require as much attention as some other machines do. However, I do clean my machines regularly and try to keep all lint out of the bobbin case too. I rotate the machines every year for service but haven't had a moments problems so far and I sew all the time on all of my machines. I can embroider on two of the machines while I quilt on the other.
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wow I am hanging my head in shame, I've had my Viking since 1974 it has only been in the shop once about 10 years ago... Yikes.....
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once a year
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Originally Posted by cheryl rearick
wow I am hanging my head in shame, I've had my Viking since 1974 it has only been in the shop once about 10 years ago... Yikes.....
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My thoughts exacty! Just get your manual out and get comfortable using a screwdriver! Good luck with your new baby.
Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
No real need if you do routine care on it!
I break mine down after 24 hours of use...clean it, wipe with oil, unset and reset the tensions, etc....Unless it is acting strange, making noises, or a computer program is not responding...you can do more harm taking it in than leaving it alone! |
I just wanted to update.
I just used my machine for the first time since having it serviced. Oooohhhhh...she is purring like a kitten. She hasn't sounded like this in years making me wonder why I didn't take her in sooner. |
I'm like Craft, "everytime I deliver". Hmmmm, youngest son is 33 now, guess it's about due any day .
Originally Posted by CraftyGardenMom
Hiding head in shame here...my poor machine hasn't had a professional tune-up in about 3 years. It's definitely needed since I sew almost every day, so "old girl" could use some internal love, LOL. My problem is this.. I HATE being without my machine! The place I take it to takes 2-3 weeks. I understand this because they service a lot of machines, and they do an excellent job for the money (approx. $90). But I only have one sewing machine, so that kind of puts me out of the game for almost a month.
My "solution" to my sewing machine selfishness :wink: is to wait until just before I am due to deliver (I am 8 months pregnant) and then take it in. I'm pretty sure I won't be sewing at least the first month with a newborn and also a 4 yr old running circles around me, LOL. :) So how often do you all take your machine in for service? |
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