sewing machine problems
 

Ok girls, Here's my problem. I have a Viking Sapphire 870. Have looked at other brands including the pricey ones. My 870 is overheating and skipping stitches..It could be expensive! I am now considering the Viking 962. I am not in a position to replace my plastic inserts and portable table tops to fit a new machine. They say the 962 measures the same as my 870. So-ooo has anyone got an opinion of the 962? Heard anything troubling about them. I don't want to buy new with the same problem and have asked around and been told the 870 and 875 have the same problems. My machine is about 6 years old and I admit I have used it a lot! So maybe it is time to give it a decent burial. But only if the expense is too high to warrant repairs. HELP! Also they no longer manufacture the 870 or 875.

Sorry to hear about your machine. :( I have a Sapphire 870 as well and love it. I have had it for about 6 years and use it a lot, so hope mine doesn't start giving me trouble. So far, so good. I hope it doesn't cost too much to have your machine repaired. A machine that expensive (at least I thought it was expensive) should last more than 6 years!

I have had the Viking 875 for almost 4 years and loved it and I exchanged with the 960 and love that one too. I have had the new one for few months now and no issues at all. I can't help much with the insert because with the 875 I was using the table that came with the emareld 215 and now I got the viking new white extension table for my new 960. Let me know if you have any more questions.

I'm very surprised to hear you are having those issues with that machine. My friend has that one and has not had any issues at all. My older platinum is still going gangbusters. If the problem is that serious, possibly it's still a warranty issue. Aren't they warrantied for 20 yrs for those type issues?

Oh warranty for 20 years Wow. I sure hope I have some discount when time to pay. That would be extremely nice. When I first bought it we had problems with overheating and the feed dogs would not move until it cooled down. They fixed that and no further issues. With a little luck this issue will involve same parts keeping my fingers crossed! I love that machine and do not want to change if I don't have to.

I would definitely check on warranty ... 20 years. I am not sure if that covers labor. The computer board is not the full twenty( not sure how long).. so hope it is not that. I would make a call to dealer for warranty specifics.

Have you had it in for a yearly service maintenance?? I know that I am overdue with taking my Bernina in. Sometimes skipping stitches may just need the bobbin adjusted. When you take your machine in, be sure to have your warranty papers with you. Good Luck. It may just need to be adjusted.

Do you plug directly into the wall outlet? Not using an extension cord? I don't know if that makes any difference, just wondering............also I was told I do have a 20 yr warrenty with my Designer 1 but only on the electrical, when I purchased it.............. but with all warrenties, they are only as good the mfg, or dealer is willing to stand behind it. ...........good luck...........calla

I would recommend you consider a checking to see if a model you want is available as a trade-in. Both my Designer I and my Rose were used models and I've had them 4 and 6 yrs without any problems. Plus both were greatly reduced from new price.

The 960 and 930 are both the same footprint as your 870. Since you don't mention a service contract, chances are your repair might be extensive. I have seen both 960Q and 930 machines (own a 870Q - about 5 years old, and keep it under contract, no big problems to date, use the machine alot). The 930 is a slight upgrade to the 870 - and the "sewing advisor" panel, which you are familiar with, is identical. The 960Q has a different interface, using a stylus, and allows you to download new stitches via your computer and transfer them to the 960Q.

There is a BIG promotion on the 930 going on right now -- thru the end of March. With ANY tradein -- the manufacturer's suggested retail price is dropped to $1,299. You can see the details of this offer -- google Husquvarna Viking -- and when you get to the site, click on "promotions". This is really a great price for this machine. It's less than my "on sale price" for the 870Q back when. This is still alot of money -- and perhaps getting a quote on repairing your 870 might be worth thinking about. And do check all the features on the new one, to make sure it has those which you use the most on your 870 -- I could have missed something looking at it with my eyes, we all have different "must haves" on your machines.
Finding the warranty information on their website is difficult, I finally gave up -- do think it is 25 years on the motor, but don't know if labor is included.

You can trade in your old machine right now for $500 toward the 930. I have the 960! and love it. Lots of nice features for quilting. I did buy the new extension table that has the fabric guard on it. It fits so much tighter than the quilter's kit II that I have for the Lily. It was $99 but 20% off. I think that's also true right now, the 20% off on accessories. Go to the website and look at all the promotions going on. You can get 4 years same as cash for the 960Q, that works out to about $55 a month. Pretty good deal. I would also check out the warranty on the one you have. Might be covered.

UPDATE: Took my 870 in this morning and after several phones calls from the Sewing Machine Doc, he has found: tension problems, timing is off, cleaning, needle is off center and now it needs a new "hook" what ever that is. Also tried to fix problem with making button holes When trying to make Ilet I got "9's" instead of circles. He got it to make one but we must do it in reverse. At least it kind of works. LOL. I would not give the Doc up no matter what. He is good and does his best to be fair in pricing. Always calls first and explains what is wrong, what he can fix and about what it will cost. I think we will keep him around a little longer. Even suggested if I was going to buy a new machine to check out the Royal. I told him it wasn't in my budget to be kind to me, LOL

P>S> I get my machine back Wed. Woo Who!

Is that the cause of the overheating?

He was not sure but did say 6 hours is a long time to sew straight. Actually I thought it was normal. Hoping it just needed cleaning and timing adjustment to take care of that issue. My question was how did the needle get off center? He couldn't answer that one. He did say it was a nice machine one that was made in Sweden yet. Yea! Chalk mark on my side of the board.

I have a Sapphire 875Q - I love my machine - I've had it about 4 yrs - only had one sort of big issue - it had something to do with feed dogs - I got the dealer to stand behind the repair - since then I only bring it in for cleanings and maintenance - I hope mine lasts forever. Good luck with your machine.

The first big issue with mine was also the feed dogs. After hours of use they would not move. I then had to let the machine sit for a half hour or so and it would work again. That was fixed and I asked him to look and see what he had to fix at that time. There was no charge for me at that time and I have had no further problems with that issue. I really like my machine and talked my best friend into buying one. She left it in the box for 2 years and is just now starting to use it. She says she is really liking it and wonders why it took her so long to get it out of the box. She had an Lilly but it wore out finally.

Crystal ball, crystal ball, of old time lore
Tell me about HER some more

Is there cat in the house
To chase a mouse?

There just might be
Fluffy yellow I see

I don't get it. You're thinking about buying a newer model of a machine that currently gives you trouble...but you "aren't wiling" to replace a cabinet insert? Obviously replacing the machine will cost more, even with a trade in. Plus, why would you think the newer model will be better? Perhaps you should be open to other options

.....??????how does this relate to discussion????

I have the same problem with my Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt. Have a day (about 6 hours) of sewing the feed dogs stop working. Usually waiting overnight clears up the problem, but this time it's been 3 days. I've had it to two shops about 4 times and they can never find anything wrong. I am ready to trade it in for another machine. And since my best sewing shop is also the repair shop, I'll probably get a newer Viking, too.

I'm guessing that there is a thermal fuse or link that is breaking contact once the machine overheats. When it cools down, the contacts are together again. Have you talked to the sewing machine repair guy to ask what would make it overheat? I would want to talk to him in person, asking a lot of questions, before making a decision. Is it possible that there is not enough ventilation, causing it to overheat?, perhaps a lint build-up inside the housing?