Oiling your sewing machine

How often do you oil your sewing machine? How do you tell if you have placed enough drops of oil?

My instructions are to clean and oil (and change needles) after every 6 hrs of use. There is only one spot to oil on my current machine. It is supposed to get one drop, although in fact, it usually gets 2, because one is hard to achieve. I was also told to remove any excess with a soft rag. I usaully use a piece of scrap. I use a Q tip to get into the corners of the case. Since I use titanium needles, I wait until I hear a change in sewing sound, as those folks recommend. My dealer is not fussy about my getting into the dealers' only parts, so periodically, I take apart much of the machine, clean and oil anything that looks like it could use it.

Cleaning and oiling after every use is a good idea.

I 'hear' mine when it needs oil, just used to the sounds of it like a car engine. Mine likes to have two drops of oil per oil hole, they run much smoother when oiled regularly. If Im doing a whole day loads and loads of sewing say strip piecing all day or something I may oil it during the day. Too much oil isnt a good thing but too little it much worse. Your product guide book should recommend how many drops of oil to use. I have an old paint brush I use for cleaning the lint out of mine, thats something I do regularly too

I have never oiled mine . It is about eight years old . There is nothing in it's instruction book about oiling it neither can I see any oil holes .

What kind of machine do you have HP? Do you get it serviced instead?

I have a Janome 6500 Gimpy I think a lot of the newer machines don't need oiling , a sealed unit or something. I should have it serviced but have never had that done either and it works fine . I don't use it very much though .

HP dont those janomes have a wick under the bobbin case that you pop a drop of oil onto every now and again?

The book only tells you to clean the bobbin race and not touch anything else. Just did a Google and see some info on a forum that it does have a wick under the bobbin holder and if that looks dry you can put just one drop on it. Will have to pull it apart to have a look one day. . Memaw I do sew EVERY day. never miss . But most all of my sewing is done by hand . I applique a lot and I mostly piece by hand also. I only use the machine if it is needed...like putting on binding . I sometimes piece and entire quilt by machine but very rarely, but I never do machine applique . I think I am a real addict !! have to have my daily fix of sewing or the day feels incomplete . Because I sew mostly by hand I don't have the fast turn over that a lot of you ladies do so show and tell isn't as prolific. But.... ... " My name is Henny and I am an addict "

"Me name is Gimpy and Im obsessed, nice to meet you Henny" !!!!!!

Only one place on my Bernina to oil and that is the bobbin case.. I am cleaning it all the time... don't have to worry about changing needle ..I am breaking them all the time because I forget to change the foot when I do a embroidery design...

HP, I have the same machine, and you are correct...the book doesn't say anything. I did notice that there is a wick if you remove the bobbin case; it's in the center. I put 2 drops in. I did look up online for info, and that is what it says to do from others that have experience with the same question. I agree they book only says to take it in for service..... hard for me to do that if the machine seems to be working great....and if I can add oil here and there for maintenance......

Anybody else have the 6500 Janome Professional?

AQM9 you would think the book would say so wouldn't you! Maybe that is all they do if it is serviced !!

I've had my Janome 6500 for nine years, and had it cleaned once. I also oil the wick in the bobbin case every so often. Like Gimpy said, I wait for the machine to "tell" me when it needs oil.

Thanks Ladies, I've had my machine for about 7 years now, been running great! Was told from the get go that it was pretty much maintenance free.

HP I agree they should tell you in the manual proper maintenance.....and you are oh so right if you take it in.....who really knows when they say they have cleaned/oiled your machine that they really did....really when you think about it......and maybe all they do is add oil....chance you take I guess......

I agree with preventative maintenance, yet............. I also think of the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

AQM . Agree. I have had no problems with mine in the time I have had it. I have friends who take their machines in every year without fail and pay for services even though they hardly use them. Today I pulled my bobbin holder out and had a look. There was only a couple of wee bits of fluff and the wick looked a bit dry, so just gave it a vacum and a wipe out and added a drop of oil.

HP,

We have to use our best judgement.