Serious warning - very serious
Polly Esther
admit I was about 8 years late in "getting around to it". The nice Bernina
man called me today and said she was ready to come home. He also said that I
was Real Close to having to have my SM sent to the Bernina factory for
serious repair. Now, I am a Goody Twoshoes about keeping my SM very clean
and oiled. I keep her covered when not actually sewing and do all the good
things. It is a long and intimidating trip from here to the Bernina shop and
I was always "too busy". So, if it's time to take your precious SM in for
some tender loving care, I hope you'll do it. Soon? Polly
AprShowers
been used. The first time using it was fine, but after about the 3rd or 4th
time, it got worse. Likely when I took it in, I too, was close to loosing
it. They were able to unlock it and it works fine now.
--
April
SW Washington
"Fabricologist Resource Center".....now does that sound more
impressive than "fabric stash".
"Polly Esther" <miste...@garbage.mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:av8cpj$rjg$1...@slb9.atl.mindspring.net...
Polly Esther
about how long it took him to get the inner workings cleaned up. I had no
idea that I was risking very serious damage. Polly
AprShowers <dennis...@tds.net> wrote in message
news:ASOR9.110897$Hs2.10...@kent.svc.tds.net...
Julia Altshuler
I have a Pfaff 6122. Like you, I keep my machine well oiled and clean. I see
no reason to take it in for maintenance as long as it is working well so I want
to know what particularly can go wrong if I don't. I know that cars have a
maintenance schedule that should be attended to even if the car is working well,
but sewing machines? This is important. Help.
--Lia
frood
get my Rocketeer out - that's my back up machine. I have lots of
paper-piecing to do, so the difference in seam allowances won't matter.
--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
"Polly Esther" <miste...@garbage.mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:av8cpj$rjg$1...@slb9.atl.mindspring.net...
I.E.Z.
> Ignorant me - I just thought the Bernina guy would growl and grumble a lot
> about how long it took him to get the inner workings cleaned up. I had no
> idea that I was risking very serious damage. Polly
>
Did he say, specifically, what terrible thing was about to happen? Because
I am skeptical. (30 years in the criminal justice system does that to you.)
I waited six years to take my Bernina in (when I got my Pfaff I finally
decided I could do without it for a few weeks). It worked fine both before
and after, and no one hinted at catastrophe.
Iris
surfingsylvia
I had been advised earlier by a Bernina dealer that the machine should be
serviced once a year.
The service man called the next day asking me when I last had my machine
serviced. I told him never. Apparently the gears needed replacing and since
I had never had it serviced before, he said I might have a problem replacing
them without being charged as Bernina has a policy that the machine should
be serviced regularly to be under warranty. But since I had not been
advised by the dealership about this, he checked this out with Bernina and
the gears were replaced at no charge.
About two months later while sewing, I turned off the light switch and my
machine stopped sewing. I immediately got on the phone and called the
service man. Told him the problem and he said that the 1090's machine had a
problem with the light circuit and that it was advisable not to turn off the
switch. Brought the machine in and apparently the switch and some other
part needed replacing. One week later I had my machine back, but with the
advice, not to turn off the light switch as there maybe a problem again.
Would love to hear from any Bernina 1090s owner if they have had a similar
problem and remember to have your machine serviced regularly.
surfin...@hotmail.com
"Polly Esther" <miste...@garbage.mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:av8cpj$rjg$1...@slb9.atl.mindspring.net...
Donna in Idaho!
I'll be gone for a week or two. That way there's no pressure on the store
to get it done in a hurry and it's always home when I am!
--
Donna in Idaho!
SW Idaho Project Linus Coordinator
Website: http://donnakwilts.tripod.com/
The ultimate inspiration is the deadline!
"Polly Esther" <miste...@garbage.mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:av8cpj$rjg$1...@slb9.atl.mindspring.net...
Sandy Foster
"Polly Esther" <miste...@garbage.mindspring.com> wrote:
I take my Bernina in annually, just because I can't stand the thought of
being without it for more time than the tune up takes! I've also begun
taking my Featherweight and 99K in annually, since I don't want to be
accused of favoritism. ;)
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
mailto:s_fo...@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~s_foster
Betty Evans
get off over time and wear out other parts in the machine. He said it was
advisable to bring it in at least every 18 months.
"I.E.Z." <ieza...@ptd.net> wrote in message
news:NTWR9.14$Z5.5...@nnrp1.ptd.net...
Kate Dicey
I took my Lily in for a service in November, for the first time (3 years
old). She was working perfectly, but the carrying handle needed to be
replaced, so I took the opportunity to get her serviced as well. Got
her back, and since then she's been better than perfect! it's like an
elfin glamour... Somehow everything is that little bit brighter, more
perfect, sweeter... ;D Not quantifiable, but worth the £36!
--
Kate XXXXXX
Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons!
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
Dr. Quilter
Marissa
always distrustful of mechanics and sewing machine repair men... :o)
--
------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Quilter
mvig...@u.washington.edu
http://faculty.washington.edu/mvignali/
------------------------------------------------------------
Polly Esther
one who needs adult supervision with anything more mechanical than opening
pickle jars. I can do just about anything with a SM - but I don't understand
its innards. He muttered something about timing and gears but I wasn't
paying much attention. Gears to me is forward, reverse and park. Polly
Julia Altshuler <jalts...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3E183EEA...@attbi.com...
Polly Esther
you very skeptical. One of my favorite courtroom arguments was, "But, your
Honor, he only shot her one time!". I don't know if the first shot was
supposed to be "free" or what. Polly
I.E.Z. <ieza...@ptd.net> wrote in message
news:NTWR9.14$Z5.5...@nnrp1.ptd.net...
>
I.E.Z.
"surfingsylvia" <surfin...@altavista.com> wrote in message
news:FLYR9.181$7h3....@news20.bellglobal.com...
> the gears were replaced at no charge.
> About two months later while sewing, I turned off the light switch and my
> machine stopped sewing. I immediately got on the phone and called the
> service man. Told him the problem and he said that the 1090's machine had
a
> problem with the light circuit and that it was advisable not to turn off
the
> switch. Brought the machine in and apparently the switch and some other
> part needed replacing. One week later I had my machine back, but with the
> advice, not to turn off the light switch as there maybe a problem again.
> Would love to hear from any Bernina 1090s owner if they have had a similar
> problem and remember to have your machine serviced regularly.
I have a 1090s bought in 1995. I have never touched the light switch. I
just turn the machine on and off in the normal fashion. I have never had a
problem with the machine in any way and it has only been tuned up the one
time, in 2001.
Iris (wondering why anyone would turn off the light without turning off the
machine?)
Julia Altshuler
for the repairman to take advantage of you so it is not a good idea to advertise
that. Point is, a sewing machine that has been oiled and cleaned and used in a
normal fashion should not spontaneously break unless it is defective. You might
ask your repairman what is defective about this machine that makes it need
regular servicing from a professional.
If there is something in your original warrantee that states that you must take
it in for servicing every year, and you didn't do that, it is another story.
But if you kept it clean and oiled and didn't abuse it in ways stated in the
warrantee, then the repairman might be trying to drum up business. He tells you
that he's just saved you from an expensive repair job. Now he's got you coming
in for cleanings that you've been doing all along by yourself. See anything
fishy here?
Lorilynn King
threads get caught in places where they can only be removed by taking the innards of
the machine apart. This is true for any machine, regardless of brand or age. Any
lint or threads soak up oil and prevent it from lubricating the machine properly.
Most of us don't have the proper tools for taking the innards of the machine apart
and getting it put back together and adjusted properly.
Manufacturers of many of the new electronic machines advise against the consumer
opening up the covers of the machine, due to the risk of damaging the sensitive
electronics inside. For example, any time the covers are taken off the new Bernina
Artista 200, the machine is to be placed on a anti-static mat and the technician is
supposed to wear an elastic bracelet that is grounded.
A good technician will check the timing of the machine -- does the needle go down
into the bobbin case area at the proper time with respect to the position of the
hook? When the hook catches the thread behind the needle, is the needle at the
proper height? Do the feed dogs move at the proper time with respect to the needle
and hook positions? Are the feed dogs centered in the openings of the throat
plate? Are they the right height? Is the needle centered correctly? If it is not
a straight stitch, are the right and left swings of the needle too wide or too
narrow? What about upper thread tension -- a technician will adjust the "default"
tension so that it's in the middle of the tension range, so that you can adjust it
to be tighter or looser as you prefer (if the default is all the way to one end of
the scale, you won't have as much leeway to adjust to your own personal preference).
A technician also inspects the machine for worn or broken parts. Something that may
not be obvious to you may in fact be something that a technician knows to look for
in your particular brand or model of machine. The sewing machine companies even
make changes to the machines after they're first introduced, in order to solve or
prevent problems that may have occurred with the first few machines that were sold.
The technician will know of these updates and can install them on your machine.
All of the things I mention require the knowledge of what things to take apart
and/or adjust. Most people who oil and clean their machines don't have that
knowledge or the proper tools to do it.
In summary, even those machines that have been religiously oiled and cleaned still
should be inspected by a technician that understands the inner workings of the
machine.
--
Lori in Colorado (a.k.a. JJoQ)
http://www.users.qwest.net/~lsquared/
My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
taria
machine
would require a lot less professional 'help' than a new computer model.
I
would be hesitant to take in my Bernina 930 every year and spend $90.00
for
a cleaning,oiling and adjustment. Yes it needs it occasionally but if
you
have a dealer you can trust he will probably let you know what is
reasonable
and too help you in caring for the machine yourself. If I had a machine
that
cost thousands of dollars I'd be sure to have it in the shop as per
manufacturer
recommendation. Having good folks to service it is really important
too.
The care you give any good machine will certainly effect its
performance.
Taria
--
Please visit my web page at:
http://home1.gte.net/res0yk6g/taria/index.htm
See my Siberian Cat, Lilly, at:
http://home1.gte.net/res0yk6g/lillypage/lillycat.htm
CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS BOOK! New email address: taria....@verizon.net
I.E.Z.
> Iris, I, too, survived 30 years in the criminal justice system. It does
make
> you very skeptical. One of my favorite courtroom arguments was, "But, your
> Honor, he only shot her one time!". I don't know if the first shot was
> supposed to be "free" or what. Polly
ROTF!
My favorite story from my "offenders" is what I call the "I fell asleep"
story. Our hero is out with his buddies, at their house, or in their car
and..."I fell asleep....and when I woke up...the police were there!! But I
don't know what happened because I was asleep!"
It's never their fault, never.
Iris (Then there's the guy who murdered his roommate and dumped him in a
stinky swampy mudpond - because the roommate always said he wanted to be
buried at sea)
~Spidey
Perhaps you may want to get one of those from the shop where you
purchased it.
Linda
On Mon, 06 Jan 2003 18:45:21 GMT, taria <taria....@verizon.net>
wrote:
Julia Altshuler
>
> In summary, even those machines that have been religiously oiled and cleaned still
> should be inspected by a technician that understands the inner workings of the
> machine.
>
> --
I agree with this. My suspicious nature was awakened at the idea of the
repairman doing the cleaning and then saying that the machine was Real Close to
needing serious repair. What would break from lack of authorized maintenance
that would be more serious and more expensive than ordinary breaking? And why
isn't the maintenance schedule in the warrantee? (Or is it?)
--Lia
sewingb...@webtv.net
Re: Serious warning - very serious
Normally I'd agree with Marissa, but eight years is a long time to go
without a good cleaning or adjustment. Too long, perhaps; you were
overdue a trip for your Precious, but I do wonder about the "Dire
Warning". Is the repairman psychic, can he foresee trouble? Or did you
have lint buildup which was speaking English and Spanish?
I'm fond of taking those little screws off and cleaning the guts once
a year. Anyone can unplug a machine and wield a soft brush.
Cea
---
<<mvig...@u.washington.edu (Dr. Quilter)
Marissa
always distrustful of mechanics and sewing machine repair men... :o)
Lorilynn King
in order to fix or prevent a problem that has been happening to other customers'
machines of that model once they have been in use for a while; these are probably
covered by the warranty. It's always a good idea to inspect the machine with the covers
off, especially in the bobbin area. Breaking a needle can knock things out of
alignment, and pieces of the needle can become lodged in areas that can only be seen
and/or reached by taking things apart. If these little pieces aren't removed, they can
cause abnormal wear and tear, which may not be covered by the warranty. You may not
notice a problem right away but if they're not removed and if the alignment isn't
readjusted, you could be in for an expensive repair later on. And, of course, if your
machine is not under warranty, you want to make sure that it's adjusted properly so that
its parts don't get worn down prematurely as a result of being out of adjustment. This
is true for any machine, electronic or mechanical.
The first time I serviced my FW, I was amazed at all the fuzz and thread that was
wrapped around inside it. I had cleaned it pretty thoroughly, I thought, until I took
it completely apart.
I only have experience with one brand of machine with regards to what's covered in the
warranty, so it would be best to refer to your own warranty and/or talk with your
dealer.
--
Lori in Colorado (a.k.a. JJoQ)
http://www.users.qwest.net/~lsquared/
My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
C. Carroll
serviced in over 10 years. Well not professionally anyway...I have taken
care of it myself and it sews like a dream and does not give me grief. My
Bernina 160 however, is another story. I take it in faithfully for it's
annual check-up. It is a computerized machine that I consider as an
investment (quilting is cheaper than therapy and brings me great joy), oh
yes...and I also don't want to invalidate its warranty. An annual servicing
is a small price to pay for a well working machine which by the way is worth
more than DH's car ;-)
That being said, I couldn't "NOT" not look under the hood once I got it
home. After working my way through the owners manual and having learned how
this wonderful machine functioned, I removed the top cover and had a good
look-see at what was making this machine run. Really not much to see..looks
like a cross between the insides of my computer and the insides of my old
sewing machine. But you should have seen the face on my DH when he saw me
looking into my new machine...the ink on the check was still wet after all.
I assured him that I would only look and not touch and promptly replaced the
cover. After seeing the insides I agree that a professional does indeed
need to be the one to service this baby.
--
Cheri
On Vancouver Island, Canada
http://community.webshots.com/album/37734846yfGJnU
"taria" <taria....@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:3E19CF81...@verizon.net...
MB
and had
the machine 65 years. I do admit that it sounded clunky ...but she liked
it and it
worked ok for her!....I do not advise using castor oil tho!.....Mary...
Pat in Virginia
>
> I took my beloved Bernina in for clean/tune/whatever checkup yesterday.
Hi Polly! I take Pfilomina Pfaff for check up about
every 12-15 months. When I fill out the request form I
always write (in the place for reason) " Well Baby
Check Up"
Miles of Smiles from PAT in Virginia
Kate Dicey
>
> The thread on servicing the newer electronic machines was very
> interesting and got me curious - how often do the manufacturers
> recommend you bring in the newer machines for service? How much does
> this work usually cost?
My dealer said with the heavy use I give mine (part time professional
dress & costume maker as well as manic quilter!), I should bring it in
every 18 months to 2 years. I waited three - partly pressure of work!
It needed a new handle, and I had a slack time in November, so in it
went. The service cost £36, the handle was free - guarantee repair.
There isn't a time in the handbook because different folk use their
machines different amounts. Also, because of the way they are made and
don't need oiling the way older mechanical machines need oiling, there's
no accumulation of caked oil to get rid of before it gums up the works.
I have also found that because the case fits more closely than with my
old (ancient!) Singer, less fluff gets into it anyway!
My dealer did say I should hoover out the machine carefully,
particularly round and under the bobbin case, on a regular basis, and
after sewing particularly fluffy fabrics. I have a special attachment
with a number of miniature brushes that fits on the Dyson for this.
Polly Esther
SM, and, of course, how willing and able you are to take tender loving care
of it. I have a lovely little sable brush, stolen from my oil painting
supplies, that does a gentle job of sweeping out the bad stuff. A new brush,
of course. A little alizarin crimson in the SM would be more excitement than
I'm up to. My clean/tune up only cost $50. When I brought mine in, the
dealer was sending one back to the factory for serious repair and expected
it to cost about $300. That ought to make all of us diligent about keeping
our precious SMs clean. Polly
Kate Dicey <ka...@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3E2214D6...@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk...