Sewing machine broke, may as well clean
 

so I'm sewing, FMQing my little heart out and the needle starts slowing down, the machine begins to groan, like it's pulling a bag of bricks instead of a little needle, and then it grinds to a halt. I can't even turn the wheel manually without a lot of force.

My husband refuses to understand how futile it seems to put $100 in service charges into a $300 machine that's been used 2-1/2 years, when I would really benefit more from a new Juke 2010Q with a larger throat. Part of me says go ahead and get it, after all, it's easier to get forgiveness than permission; but it's a lot of money to start a fight over.

The broke model is a Singer Confidence Quilter - any ideas how it could be repaired on the cheap?

It sounds like it just needs a good oiling. Mine did the same thing one time. Lesson learned, I oil a little more often.

It's the second part of your title that throws me. If my sewing machine broke, cleaning would be the furthest thing from my mind.

I had this problem just a few days ago, on my Brother SQ-9000. I ended up taking out the 6 screws that hold it together, cracked the case open, cleaned it for what seemed like forever, and oiled every metal part that moved. Put it all back together (okay, so this took 4 times to get it right but we won't mention that) and it works like the day I bought it again. I just couldn't justify spending $100 for someone else to do it when I only paid $200 myself to buy it new. Hubby had very little faith in me but I figured, what's the worse that could happen? As long as I was careful when taking it apart, I wouldn't hurt the wires for the computerized part of it and I would be saving money. Maybe ya could try it? Just go slow, pay attention to what's what and what's where and be careful of any wires that connect to both sides. Hope ya get it worked out, good luck!

Try what PJ says. You will be so proud.

There is good advice here, take the sucker apart, and clean and oil it. and put it back together. will take time, but if after all that - it still doesn't work, I would say buy the machine (if it is in your budget) that you want. I would look on ebay and compare prices, your local store will work with you on a price, and see what time of payment plans you can find. I don't know your relationship with your dh, or your financial situation, but sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

I agree with this totally

Ditto!

They tell you that you can't clean/service your computerized machines, but you can. The computerized parts are all encased and protected. You can do exactly what PJ said to do. And you always need to oil your machine regularly if you are fmq'g. And more than once if you are working on a big project.

Sorry your DH doesn't understand. I would take the housing off and see what I could see. I would use the repair cost to buy a vintage Singer. The 301 is a great FMQ machine and are usually under $100.

I would take it apart and see what I could do! If I could not get it up and running I would not spend the money to have it repaired, I would save that money for a new machine!!!!!! So sorry hubby does not like the idea!!!!!

OH, WOW! PJ you are BRAVE! I would probably wait until I could pay for someone to fix it. I do have a backup machine, though.

I wouldn't exactly say brave, I was absolutely terrified!! I will add, that right quick, I realized it was best to pull apart the casing from the presser foot end! The wires are all in the hand wheel end on my machine. I also have a backup machine, but this one is my fave and I really wanted to get the quilt done since it's been 4 yrs in the making. LoL!

My Bernina 801 ground to a halt during a workshop on Saturday. Dropped it off to be repaired and was told it was a bind in the shaft (would love to know more about what that means). She fixed it and cleaned and oiled it for me. So far it is moving like a hot knife through butter.

Cheers, K

I agree too! Also, the previous post that mentioned how many toys the husband has!

I have found videos online that show how to take things apart. My hubby just took his laptop apart to replace a $12.00 cooling fan. He had found a pictorial tutorial. He was very slow and patient and it turned out fine. Moral of the story is maybe there is a video somewhere in cyber land that shows you how to take your particular machine apart.

Sounds to me like the DH is in favor of getting another machine. If that's the case, I'd be on that new machine like white on rice. THEN take the old machine apart and see if you can get it running. If so, you have a great back up machine.

If you have a digital camera take pictures. I helps when it is awhile between taking the fist screw out and getting it back in... ask me how I know LOL!

Same here!! I'd be boo-hoo-hooing so hard it wouldn't take hubby very long to repair it for me. He's a sweetie and can fix anything under the sun, as long as he has the right tools and replacement parts.

Yep...turn the power off get tinkering (with camera to see where bits go) and see what's jamming it. Sometimes it is something quite simple. You will be very pleased with yourself if you can get it going....and if all else fails put the $100.00 you would have spent on repairs toward the machine you want. Surely if you saved up the money to pay for a new machine it wouldn't be a problem for your husband.

A binding in the shaft means nothing more then the shaft was cleaned of whatever it was the was making it not turn or go up and down. I have taken the housing off every machine I have once it was out of warranty. No big deal. I can see immediately what the problem is for most mech. issues. The computer part of any machine is sealed on the inside. I don't have any fear of messing it up. It's just a sewing machine and I can get another one at Walmart to hold me over if need be.

go to u tube. they have some really good videos about maintenance maybe they have yours? but I'd still go for the new or slightly used. Always best to have a spare!!!