Oiling my machine
 

I'm new to machine quilting and got my first sewing machine at Christmas. Obviously I want to look after it and have read about people oiling their machines etc. In the manual for my Brother machine it says that users should not oil the machine - only dealers. Is this right? And if so how often should I take it to be serviced?

What type of Brother do you have? Read your manual.

Definitely check your manual, many modern DSMs (domestic sewing machines) do not need oiling.

I also say read your manual. I don't oil my Bernina at all. My Juki, on the other hand, needs oil and the manual explains it.

The manual says no oiling so it’s right. Machines like this should be serviced about once a year or so. Depends on how much you use it. With light use you may be able to stretch the service to every two years. At least that is what I’ve been told.

Most vintage machines need oiling, but most modern machines do not.

Edit: My Bernina 1230, which is now probably "vintage" since it is getting close to 20 years old, requires only oiling of the bobbin race. I don't know if top-loading bobbins need oiling, though; mine is the other kind.

.........and speak with your dealer. They have the knowledge and training to advise you on the specific model.

Correct ... Some machines are not meant to be oiled by the user.
Correct ... Some machines are meant to be oiled.

I have one of each ...............

Your manual is correct No oiling of the machine is needed except during the dealer maintenance.

My local dealer offers maintenance class for our machines (brand as mentioned above). They also blow out our machines when we have class.

You can have your dealer show you how to clean the bobbin case area and apply ONE drop of oil as needed.

I clean out the lint with a q tip and any loose threads at each bobbin change. The thread cutter area is another area to check for stray threads.

I never oil my Bernina. It goes into the shop about once every 18 months or so. I used to take it in once a year when it was my only machine. Now that I have several vintage machines as well as the Bernina, I take it in less often. I do oil the bobbin area every bobbin change as they told us to do in the guide class. My vintage machines I oil as per the manual.

I was told never to oil my machine - if that is what your manual says then follow the manual

The two straight stitch only machines I use almost daily i oil as per the manuals.

All machines need oil -- they're machines. You should be comfortable with removing your needle plate and cleaning under it. I'm assuming you have a drop-in bobbin. You can put a drop of oil in the center hole under your bobbin case, and oil the feed dogs that are usually at the front of the feed dog area. This area doesn't really need to be oiled very often -- maybe every 6 to 9 months.

These newer machines are hard to get the covers off, so it's a good idea to take it to the shop for deep cleaning. A lot of the new machines don't have service panels or doors to get inside easily. I tell my customers that if they sew every day, they need to bring the machine in at least once a year. But don't go longer than 4 or 5 years without a service.

I really have to disagree with this post. Yes, all machines need oil, but what nobody has explained yet is that some machines are "self-oiling" and are sealed with the oil already inside, so you can't even get to the parts that need oil. If your manual does not instruct you to oil, or specifically says "do not oil", then don't. You could be doing more harm than help to your machine.

Thanks everyone. It is the brother fs100wt. The manual says not to oil so I won't. It just got me wondering as it is mentioned on here a bit and the instructions for a class I am doing in a few weeks says 'make sure your machine is oiled and you have a new needle'. It makes sense that this is only for vintage machines.

I have absolutely no idea where my nearest dealer is or even what one would look like in the UK but I will investigate!

Keep the bobbin area clean and put a drop of oil in the bobbin race once in a while. Many machines have embedded silicone in the gears so self lubricating. Metal gears are not self lubricating. The housing on newer machines cannot be taken off without damage unless you know the correct way. I sit and watched a tech work on different machines (long story) and he oiled every one once inside from new models to older ones. One he drenched in oil and put in pan to drain, others he added drops.

I have a Babylock Espire. The manual says not to oil. But I took a maintenance class and the technician said to oil the bobbin race periodically - one drop of oil. The modern machines are built so closed in you have to take for service as you can't reach all the places you would have normally cleaned on an older machine. Very irritating. I vacuum as much as I can reach(taking off the feed dog plate, etc) and take in for service every two years or so. I haven't been sewing all that much in recent years so if I start to sew more I may take it in more often.

I am surprised at the comment above not to oil a BERNINA machine. The bobbin race area needs to have a drop of oil every once in a while-when it has a good cleaning. I do this after about five bobbin loads. My B530 even has a video or how to do it on the computer screen under maintenance. I had to replace a part in the bobbin race area because of abrasion because I had not oiled it- this was on an 1130. I learned my lesson. I think the information in all of these manuals mentioned means not to randomly oil all the rest of the machine. Read manuals carefully and follow all maintenance suggestions.

I never oiled my babylock espire when I had it, not even the bobbin

I only use vintage machines and only oil them when needed. I took my Viking 6430 and 301A into the shop last year. They were both cleaned inside and out. I just bought a Viking 6460 on eBay and it will go in for a cleaning in a couple of months because it only sews in reverse (common problem when it hasn't been used for an extended time period). I used my 301A for the first time since I had it cleaned (it stays in my van just in case I need it, or someone in my sewing group is having a problem with their machine. It has never failed to deliver.)

I have some basic Brothers with the hard plastic - but the part on the left side is attached with one screw and I take that off periodically and use a qtip to take out any fuzz - usually not much and I put a drop of oil on the needle bar and the moving parts that I can see. Also a drop in the bobbin case which is drop in - but very minimal. I don't see how this will hurt anything and so far the machines are still working fine. I wouldn't take a machine that cost $100 in for service when things are doing just fine so far. One of the machines is about 15 years old.

My Bernina dealer told me that my newish Bernina (2013) only needs service every 4-5 years unless it is used 3-4 hours every day. I should just clean and oil according to the manual. Other dealers have people thinking they need service every year, sometimes for $150-$200 a crack. I can't help thinking that that is a rip-off.

She sus

I have a brother Dream Machine. I never oil it. I take it in once a year for a good cleaning. That is what my dealer recommends. I have not had any issues with it.

From experience with my Bernina 1230, I have to say I agree with this completely.

I've never sent my Janomes for servicing except once because I threw the
timing off. Like others said, a good cleaning and a drop of oil (once in a while)
is all you need.

I always follow my manual for things that could mess up my machine. This would be one of them. A lot of the newer machines and high end machines don't require oiling.