Servicing..?
 

So, I decided my machine (a Husqvarna Viking) should really have a service. I will confess now that I got it new more than 20 years ago, but it has never been serviced. In my defence, it has also been hardly used, until this year, when I discovered quilting, but now that I have just finished my first quilt (and started piecing the second, and planning the third and fourth, and...), it seemed time... My local store has quoted me 'oh about 2-3 weeks' for a 'summer special clean and oil' (ie not actually a full service, but since it is still running beautifully, I don't think it really needs more than an inspection, clean and oil: they would notify me, they said, if anything was spotted amiss). They aren't a dealer for my brand.

As a complete novice at this, I am asking you lovely, knowledgeable people - is this normal? I don't think I could manage now without my machine for a week, let alone 2-3 (I don't have a spare, nor do I have funds for one), but I realise that not servicing is asking for trouble. I've tried enquiring elsewhere, but seem to be hitting a blank (we have moved far, far from the original, lovely store where I bought my machine).

How long does a service usually take? And how important is finding a dealer specific to my brand?

Find a location that they service the machine on site. Many shops have someone pick up machines once a week to take to another location. And, if you should need a part, expect them to have the machine even longer. My neighbor is without her Viking high end embroidery machine for almost 3 weeks now. We actually drove from Southeast PA to Lawrenceville, NJ to a Viking Dealer and when I asked if they serviced on site, we were told "yes". Then my neighbor was told later that the machines were sent to their Bordentown, NJ site for servicing. It would have been closer for us to drive to Bordentown. Today, we found that there is another location that would have serviced the machine cheaper, but I don't think they are a Viking Dealer. The Viking dealer is charging $249.00, plus parts. I took my 1996 Viking Rose in for the 1st time year before last. That cost me $149.00 and I did not even take the embroidery attachment in. I later found that I did not have a problem with the machine itself. I actually wore out the Walking Foot.

Donnajean, I hope that my much lowlier machine would not cost so much - I do not have any problems that need fixing at the moment, but I do want to keep it that way.

Tartan, they do not have loaner machines - and my machine is actually still running like a dream, I just worry about lint building up where I can't get at it, and the fact that it has never been oiled (my user manual only tells me to keep it regularly cleaned (and shows how to get into the bobbin area), 'no lubrication is needed'). When you say a drop of oil on the hook, would this run the risk of getting the thread oily?

Thank you for your replies!!

Your manual is indicating that the gears are sealed; this is why they don't need lubrication. Since your machine is running fine, I wouldn't take it in for servicing -- especially when it takes so long. If you clean out the bobbin area regularly and oil the hook regularly, you should be fine. You may be exaggerating the fear of lint getting into areas you can't reach, especially if you have made only one quilt so far. I'd be more concerned about that if you had completed 20 bed quilts, although even then there would probably be no internal lint issue if you have been cleaning and oiling the bobbin area faithfully. I stopped taking my Bernina 1230 in for servicing over 15 years ago after paying $150 for basically nothing. I noticed the technician had not even bothered to return the top tension to factory setting, which is something basic he should have done in order to test stitches and tension. My machine still purrs and sews the way it did 15 years ago and I have approximately $2,250 more dollars in my pocket today to put towards another machine some day. In my experience the older machines simply do not need yearly checkups; however, I would take my machine in earlier rather than later if I noticed it starting to get "sick" or misbehaving.

Edit: Sorry about the manual comment. I was reading on my iPad and probably mixed up postings. I'm not sure if your machine has sealed gears or not. What I would advise doing is joining a Yahoo group for your brand and type of machine. They can give you lots of good advise about maintaining your machine and may even be able to recommend a good servicing agent in your area. You didn't mention what model you have, but at 20 years old it would probably be considered a vintage machine. Here is one Yahoo group you might want to join:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...gquilters/info
and there are additional groups specifically for pre-1980's machines, Designer 1 machines, etc.

Our local shop also quotes 2 weeks for servicing. I usually take it in just before I go on a vacation so I won't miss it as much!!

My local Sew & Vac can turn my Bernina around in just a few days. Ask around when around any quilters and maybe they have a better recommendation.

My Viking dealer took a week and cost me $99. when they serviced my Mega Quilter in January. I agree, look around.

My dealer takes 2 weeks, if I am lucky 10days

Have you asked if you could make an appointment and when they are ready to work on the machine they could call you to bring it in that way you would only be a day or two with out one. My shop will do that. there is really no reason that your machine needs to sit in their shop just waiting for its turn to be worked on.

I have to admit, it everything is going fine, I wouldn't take it in, either.

I sent my Horizon 7700 in one time in 4 years, just because I hadn't sent it in yet, but it had some small things I wanted them to look at. However, my husband had it apart underneath and found lots of lint where a normal clean it out wouldn't work. But that was after i had sewn almost nonstop on it fo 2-3 years.

It is to their advantage to have scared customers.

I am very fortunate - my Viking dealer is less than a mile away and he has a 24 hour turn around for cleaning and servicing, less if it is brought in when they open in the morning. He also services other brands - so I have taken in my Featherweights. I am giving one to my niece and I want to make sure it is full working condition. Tomorrow when I pick up the FW, I am taking in my Viking. I have had it 3 years and it has been used a lot - performance it great but I noticed some squeaking at times in the embroidery unit - so feel it needs to be checked.

I think two weeks for general cleaning is a rip off. I have watched a tech service a high end machine and it takes less then an hour if no parts are needed. They do not test everything unless there is a problem note attached with the machine.

FWIW - the shop you & friend took this machine to is excellent. I've been dealing with them for 25 years. It's only recently that they started doing the work in the Bordentown location. It used to all be done in the Lawrenceville location. I think rent in that location is getting a little out of hand as each time I go in that shop it's a bit smaller. Their repair guy is great and extremely knowledgeable. I just had my computerized Viking (about 12 yrs old) serviced there. I think it was about the $150 range. Price difference might be because of the embroidery???

Also, since the Bordentown location is closer for you - call them and ask if they can just hold it there for you to pick up instead of back in L'ville. I'm sure they will be fine with that plan.

I have a cheap Brother machine as a backup.

my sewing machine shop is swamped all the time, and usually quote 5-6 weeks wait. I put my vintage machines to work then.

a total service on a 50-60's machine I can have done locally is $69.00
Total service on my Janomes is about $125.00

Thank you all so much for all the help and information! I think, I will wait until there is something specific that could do with being looked at, and in the meantime try and save up and source a cheap 'emergency' machine!

I agree with Prism and would not take it in for servicing. I have a Viking bought in 1980 and used for many many draperies and other home dec projects, clothing and some piecing of quilts. I REGULARLY clean/cleaned out the bobbin area and my machine does not require oiling. I had it in for servicing one time and when I got it back, it was messed up and had to go back to be adjusted. unfortunately, something is now wrong with the gear for the presser foot pressure and it will not hold the pressure. A few places told me via the phone that it is obsolete and parts are unavailable. I am so sad about that. 34 years of wonderful reliability!! I bought a Bernina 830 6 years ago and it doesn't stand up to the Viking for dependability!

I totally agree. Like the saying goes if it ain't broke don't fix it. They might fix it worse. Look at your manual, if you have one.

I have 2 machines. I love both of them. Am thinking of getting another. Been keeping my eyes open for the different estate sales but so many of them need work and quite pricey. So I may just pick one up at a big box.

You should probably get a backup machine, even if it is an older machine, for that time that it needs to go in (whether for repair or servicing).

I agree with Tartan. Clean the heck out of it. You probably do not need to oil it. My 1975 Viking has never been oiled. Was told that it nerver needed it d/t the type of steel it was made out of. If it just a mechanical machine, read the manual, check online and clean, clean ,clean!! If it is not broke don't chance someone messing it up.

My Viking manual says that the gears, etc, are sealed and not to oil. It runs beautifully, so I will not take it in unless it starts acting up.

If your service man is not "approved" to service your brand of machine he cannot get parts from the parent company and will have to either tell you he can't fix it or rob parts from another machine that he thinks will work. I have a Babylock and the service center is 250 miles away. I sent it there with my daughter and after about TWO MONTHS they got it fixed. NOT a good scene and it cost boocoo bucks on top of that. The only thing wrong was that the automatic threader wasn't working right and because of my vision I have to have that feature working. He said he adjusted some other things and cleaned it, but I hadn't noticed anything amiss so I sort of feel like the longer they keep it, the bigger the bill! He won't get it again unless it is an emergency!

My Viking..does not need oil..the manual says only to clean out the bobbin case..said nothing about oiling the hook..my dealer always takes at lease a week..if not more..I learn the hard way ..do not waste the money..if there is no problem..on these machine..if they are care for ..if u are just worry about the lint collection..take the bottom plate off ..blow it out..I have done that to mine..I also thought after years .I should just have it clean..nothing was wrong with it. So finally I did take it in .but I was told a part was bad on the embroidery part..which I could not disagree with because .i hadn't use the embroidery part for ages..but it was fine the last time I used it..but I did took his word for it..the part and clean job ended up over 300 dollars..when I next sew on it..it now does not tell me when the bobbin is running out..it cuts the thread half the time when I push the button..it doesn't always start sewing the first inch..none of these things were happening when I took it in..I took it back ..it seems these things only happen at my house..REALLY..not saying this will happen to others..and yes it was a Viking dealer I took it too..just saying ..why ask for trouble and spend the money..and be without ..if there really isn't a reason..again just my opinion.

The machines I own are also sealed and not for me to oil. Even though I keep them as clean as I can within the areas that I have access to, the professional servicing/cleaning of the machines includes areas that I can't get to; plus they are oiled or whatever when they are serviced ... I know this because they sound much quieter when I get them back home. The dealer to whom I take my machines to be serviced will allow me to make an appointment so that it's only gone for a couple of days, rather than a couple of weeks (w/o appointment). He always forgets something, though, and I learned long time ago to leave notes with him about what is not right and even then, he forgets to do everything. Makes me crazy, especially considering the big bucks he charges me! Because he is just a 10-min. drive away from my house, I buy brands of machines for which he is a dealer, altho' that changes from time to time. He just got his first shipment of Baby-Lock yesterday.

If your technician does not know the Viking, I would not take it there. If you are close to a Joann Store, they are usually a Viking dealer. The turnaround time could depend upon when their technician is in. Otherwise, if it is running ok, like Tartan said, give it a thorough cleaning, put a drop of oil on the hook, and maybe just a drop on the shaft. It should be ok. If you put a drop of oil on the shaft be sure to sew for a few minutes on a scrap of fabric. Good luck and don't fret

If the gears are all sealed in and you have the manual that came with it, it will tell you exactly where to oil and clean it. Usually, if you just clean and add a couple drops of oil, that should do it. Clean out the bobbin and the bobbin cage after every thread change. Never use canned air to clean out the cage as it will leave water that will eventually do some rusting. I have been sewing for 55 years and my machines are at least 20 to 30 years old and I have never ever taken then anywhere. It's just a rip off to charge 99.00 plus dollars to service a machine...what service? Machines last for years and years and years ..they are built to last. All the scare tactics they use to make you do service that is not needed. Clean and oil is all. You shouldn't need parts at all. Even the Computerized machines come sealed so cleaning is all that is needed and the occasional drop of oil, check the manual......my longarm has never been service either. I clean and oil before every job and my manual tell me exactly what to do. I have never had a problem with it. It's a Gammill, built to last. lol

My janome is about 20 years ole and works like a top. The other two brother quilt clubs are electronics and they both work like new and all I ever do is clean and oil.....and that's all the service does.

And you all know how much quilting I do..lol

Luckily there are two independent repairmen or OSMG's, who live within 30 miles of me. I have an older Pfaff from 1994 that started squeaking. I didn't have the special tool needed to get into it to oil it myself so I decided to call one of the men who advertised on Craigslist. He didn't have the tools to work on my machine but gave me the number of another guy nearby because he knew he had the tools and would do the work for a fair price. Two days and 35.00 later my machine was purring like a kitten. I have used both repairmen and have been very pleased with their work.

Check Craigslist in your area for sewing machine repair. You might be surprised at who you find especially since your machine is not in warranty.

For me, 2 weeks sounds like a long time. I would check to see if there was another shop in the area that would be faster. I guess I am lucky because, for just a cleaning, I can have my machine back in a day or two.

If it ain't broke ....don't fix it.......I have never taken my machines in for cleaning or service......no telling how much I have saved in 40 years..I have Janomes, New Home, antique Singer......clean with vacuum attachment, oil the wick, change the needle often..oil the shaft. That's it. Why spend the dollars and invite a tech to find something to replace....that is how he keeps a job. When something serious goes wrong.....then get service.

I agree with the others. I wouldn't take it in. Just clean it and oil it yourself and use the money you saved for something fun.
Rodney

Now that is what I call fair and reasonable.....