Hi! everyone,
Does anyone know what happens if a Viking sewing machine was idle for 5 years without maintenance? I have an opportunity to buy one from a friend who hasn’t touch her sewing machine for a long time. Since she had only used it a few times, she didn’t sent it in for maintenance. Is the sewing machine a past history now? Is it safe to buy the sewing machine without falling into the money pit? I’d appreciate for any input you can provide. Thanks!
Replies
The machine should be fine, but they don't like to sit idle. I'd take it in for a tune-up before using it.
Hello Jean,
Thank you for your advice. Do you know what does a tune-up include? Is it the same as yearly maintenance?
I know Viking doesn't need to be oiled by users. One dealer told me if I buy sewing machine from him, maintenance will be included forever. The other dealer told me that only the first year maintenance is free. I'm kind of struggling between buying from a dealer with a higher price or buying from other sources.
I'd ask for specifics on that lifetime maintenance. It probably only includes cleaning or something, not repairs.
Have you tried out the second hand machine? Can you get it checked over and serviced and still return it if it has a problem that would be expensive to fix?
Buying second hand is always a gamble. You might end up with a bargain or a lemon.
Just regular check the plugs, clean the filter, change the oil stuff. LOL Typical maitenance stuff. My machine is 20+ years old and I've had it in twice. Wish I could replace it, but it's a regular work horse and I don't need as much as want one that embroiders. Oh, well, so it goes.
If it was stored clean in good conditions, I'd open up the manual and check for oiling points, oil and clean as directed, then take out the needle and try the machine. Sintered bearings are in most modern Vikings so they don't need oiling like the machines of my youth. However, the lubricant tends to collect after a bit, and the machine may be a bit stiff. If it sounds all right, Ijust sit there with my foot on the pedal and run it for awhile, gradually increasing to top speed.
Taking it in for a tuneup is a good idea, but cleaning, oiling as directed and trying it out should tell you if it's going to work ok or not.
You might also want to join a group like the yahoo group "wefixit" if you're interested in doing your own maintenance work.
You don't say how old the
You don't say how old the machine is. If it is less than 20 years old, I don't think you would have a problem. These are made to last. But I assume you can sit down and try a few stitches to see if you have obvious problems.
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