Question on the newer machines.
 

the Janome needs a special tool to pop the case, that we dont have, so it has to go the dealer to get cleaned, etc. what about the singer and brothers? Is it the same or is that something we can do? I am so used to cleaning our old machines, I prefer to do my own.

Mine is too fancy, way computerized. I leave it to the professionals

I can't answer this.
I can't even figure out if I'm suppose to oil my embrodery machine. It says not too-but htat seems strange.

Dee .... if you are that comfortable repairing the newer machines perhaps you can inquire about purchasing the required tool. Figure the cost of the tool divided by the number of times you would have otherwise have taken it to the dealer to see if the tool is cost feasible.

I have a Janome 6600 for 3 years now - but it was purchased as a used machine from the dealer (so it was well serviced before purchase). I've brought it in once (recently) because *I* screwed up the timing on the machine by doing something stupid. BUT I keep my machine very clean (to the extent that I can through the top plate only).

If you keep it clean on a regular basis, you may not need to open it up very often.

I use a small brush to clean my bobbin area and around it. I don't oil because I'm told not too. I use a small vacumm to suck and not blow because when you blow into the machine you can lodge the lint in it deeper and cause more problems. I have no desire to go into the computer part of the machine but the part under the bobbin, between a brush, vacumm and a long handled Q-tip it stays pretty clean. I do also take the cover off of the tension guides and make sure nothing stuck in there if need be.