As you know, my machine broke last week when I was sewing my first pair of handmade jeans. I was heartbroken because I was not sure if I was going to be able to finish these jeans and because my machine had to go away for repair for the first time. They came to pick it up on Wednesday and told me that they would probably bring it back on Saturday. They couldn’t make it for Saturday, but the technician was going to be around Madrid center on Sunday morning, so could he come and bring it then. Wonderful!
He explained that denim was not the root cause here. The real problem was that the upper part of my machine was never oiled in the two years I’ve owned it, and that coupled with some heavy fabric, caused the needle axis to break. I reviewed my machine user manual, and it only mentioned oiling and cleaning around the bobbin case area. The maintenance chapter only included that and how to change the light bulb. I mentioned this to the technician and he explained that low-mid range machines do not include a clear access to oil the upper part so that they break after some time and you need to buy a new one (!!). In order to oil this part, you would need to lift the upper cover like I partly did when I was checking what happened to my machine (and Gerry supervised).
Since doing this can be cumbersome, it can also be done by sliding the bobbin winder to the right and introducing the oil spray straw aiming to the left. He mentioned that two drops there from time to time would be fine. Also oiling the needle area that you can see in the upper picture is a good idea, according to the technician.
I can report that my machine never sewed as smooth as right now, and that my jeans are almost finished. Remember, you can sew heavy fabrics with your machine, but always make sure that all parts are correctly oiled. And I’ve learned that blindly trusting a sewing machine user manual is not always a good idea.
I hate the planned obsolescence. Thanks for the tips!
I hate it too. At least it’s good when you meet somebody that knows better.
Wow. That stinks that the sewing machines are made to be broken since you aren’t instructed or easily able to oil them!! My machine went to the shop when I tried to hem jeans. I was told that there was a metal burr somewhere creating the problem but I stopped trying to sew denim afterwards. So glad to hear the your machine is running so well and now you know how to oil it! I’m going to do an internet search on my machines to see how to oil them! 🙂
Just see if you can open the top somehow and see if you can drop some oil there. I never thought I had to do it like this.
I should definitely do the same: go and clean my sewing machine now! or take her to the sewing doctor!anyway, planned obsolence is what drives me crazy the most, but I think this is what consumerism is about, right? besos!
Yes, consumerism is everywhere nowadays, also among hobbies that are for minorities. Good luck with your machine!
Vaya!! Tengo que revisar la mÃa, porque en el manual, se lavan las manos diciendo que como mayoritariamente está hecha de piezas de plástico, no necesita mantenimiento. Sé que no es cierto, asà que de cuando en cuando, la limpio con aire comprimido. Pero lo del aceite no lo he hecho nunca. Y precisamente, de un tiempo a esta parte, hace un traqueteo que no me gusta nada.
Besos!!!
La mÃa también hacÃa el traqueteo, y al final era un ruido horrible. Intenta ver si puedes abrirla para limpiarla y ponerle aceite. Besos
That’s just not nice of those machine manufacturers. I’m glad it is working so well!
It’s not nice, indeed! I’m very glad too, it’s like sewing through butter 🙂
I’m so glad your machine is back and better than ever! Thank you very much for the tips!
Thank you, Dona 🙂 I hope these tips can help you too.