sandypants

Has anyone ever removed the bottom plate of their sewing machine to clean the lint out themselves? Besides taking it to a repair man.

quilter1

My DH cleans and maintains my serger and my Bernina 830 Record, but I take my Bernina 440QE in to the dealer for regular service.

mom-6

If it doesn't require major surgery I do the cleaning myself. Only time I hesitate is if it involves possibly broken parts, serious tension or electrical issues.

Lori S

My only issue with my newer machine is that is it so sealed up I can't get very far to clean it. I just know there is lint deeper that I could clean out. It make me a bit crazy that I have to take it to a repair shop for cleaning when I know if I could "open" it up I could do a better job of cleaning it myself.

barny

I take the bottom off my machines all the time when cleaning and oiling. All of my machines are old though. There are many parts to oil. Get your manual out, there are pictures.

Ranchwife

Yep, after about every 3 hours of sewing. I used to completely take apart my old White machine to clean and oil it. Runs like a charm too. With my new Brother, I only take apart what it lets me take apart - the bobbin compartment. Next time I clean it, I'm bringing out the vacuum cleaner so I can get all the lint.

BellaBoo

When the warranty is out I take my machine apart, even my Bernina. The computer part is sealed so I leave that alone. The Bernina dealer wouldn't let me watch (I don't take no as final) the repairman take my Bernina apart sooooooooo I called the the guy and asked if he knew anyone for a private maint. instruction. He said sure, me! He came to my house and showed me step by step how to take the housings off and do a good cleaning on all my machines. I took a FW maint. and repair class at a quilt show one year. I learned so much from that class.

sandypants

Thanks for all the advice. I have a Viking, so never have to oil my machine..

Caroline S

That is a good question. It irks me that the one and only time I took my Elna 7300 in for servicing the charge was $160.00 plus tax. AND the one thing that needed fixing was the self threader which was not fixed. I know that there are a lot of lint bunnies down deep that I can't get to. AARRRG! That is the main reason I love my vintage sewing machines, I can maintain them myself.

Sierra

We live about an hour away from our repairman (tried using one closer and she didn't even fix it, much less clean it). The guy I've been using for several years now showed DH and me how to clean my Janome 6600, including unscrewing the bottom and the head above the needle, and where to put oil, what to look for. He also had us buy one of those small vacume attachments sets that you can use on computers and other small things. When I have a problem I can call him and he'll walk me through what might be wrong and, when we discover it, he'll walk me through how to fix it. He works for a big fabric/sewing machine/vacumn cleaner outfit so I guess they have enough business he feels he can do this. He's great!