wraez

I'm into my 3rd year without maintenance and my machine is starting to let me know it is time to go in and have her 'serviced' by the nice man with gentle hands.

GwynR

mine are heavily used and though i clean and oil them, i feel its good for them to get thoroughly cleaned and tuned up.

PaperPrincess

I usually drop mine off just before I leave for vacation. We both come back refreshed!

quiltlady

Some will think I'm crazy - but I am a heavy sewer -I own a computerized Husqvarna 1100 - which is now 22 years old - I have never had mine in to be looked at, that being said I likely now at it's middle age need to have it serviced as I have some automatic tension issues but I'm always able to just adjust it myself. I make sure I keep it free of lint and it overall runs great. This machine doesn't have to be oiled/lubed. A recent talk with a salesman told me it had gone off warranty at 20 years. (I don't recall anyone telling me it had a 20 year warranty when I bought it in Ottawa Canada new). Salesman said this was one of the best machines Husquvarna ever made and I agree with him.

Prism99

In my opinion, yearly maintenance is unnecessary as long as you do a reasonable job of keeping your machine clean (and older machines oiled). If I sewed for 8 hours a day 5 days a week, I'd probably take my machine in for servicing every year or every other year.

I used to take my Bernina in every year, but honestly could tell no difference in it. The last time I took it, when I picked it up I realized I had left the upper tension on a lowered setting because I had been working with monofilament thread. If the tech checked out the stitch at all, he must have been satisfied with the upper tension not being at the factory setting. At that point I saw no reason to pay $100 and be without my machine for a week for cleaning that I could do myself at home.

I'd say a checkup every 10 years is plenty for most home-use machines.

athomenow

I have Vikings as well and don't take them in. I used to sell them and sometimes the machines were worse after the "cleaning". I take mine apart and clean out the lint and since they never need oil it doesn't take much to maintain it. Never ever blow the lint away with one of those gas in a can things. You will cause problems that only a repairman can fix. Vacuum only!

patchsamkim

I don't usually take mine in every year...but try to at least every 2 years...I used to be a heavier sewer and would get it serviced more regularly, but with not sewing a much in many years, I think every other year is often enough, and never have gotten "scolded at" by the service person. I do clean and oil the bobbin area very often though.

lalaland

I rarely, if ever, take in my mechanical machines, I service them myself.

I only take in my computerized machines if they are not performing properly. Otherwise, I clean out the bobbin casing after every project and as long as it works fine, I don't take it in. After 20 years of sewing on my computerized Kenmore, I decided it deserved a servicing. When I got it back it wouldn't work properly, I took it back in and the technician sat down with me and we discovered I had worn out the plastic presser foot!! He replaced it and it has been humming along ever since.

jitkaau

I maintain and service my own machines if there is a mechanical problem and I've only just had my first electrical problem with the most expensive one!After I get over the irony of this,I am content when the repair man says he does lots of those repairs.So I think the servicing is an expense I don't need to add to the cost of my sewing.

ckcowl

[quote=DogHouseMom]It depends ...

I used to bring my Husqvarna in once a year like clockwork. After the 3nd time my dealer asked me "why"? The first time he understood - the first "tune up" was free with the purchase. The second time he just did it. When I came back the third time he flat out told me it didn't need it after he opened it up. Not only did I not use it enough during the course of a year, coupled with the fact that I am a FREAK about keeping my machine cleaned, and he said the Husky's don't need maintenance as frequently as other machines.


wow! i wish i had your dealer! when i waited 1 1/2 years to take mine in- my dealer pretty much jumped all over me- stressing that with the amount of sewing i do i should probably take it in every 6 months- that waiting a year is too long---and i religiously clean my machine all the time-take very good care of it---and the dealer is 80 miles away- so i don't take it in anywhere near as often as they (think) i should---but my dealer is a definite---at least annually believer

:wink: