Repair old machine or get a new one?

[riboflavin]

I have an old Kenmore 385.12614490-maybe 10 years old? It is broken and the shop said it would cost around $95 to fix it. Is it worth it or should I get a new one? I only have about $150 to spend.

I am new to sewing, so even though I've had the machine for ages, I rarely used it. I started using it recently to sew simple things like blankets, pillows, kids pants, diapers, etc. and the machine was messed up. Four needles would break for one pillow! And it was constantly unthreading...My point is, its not a machine I loved, so is it worth fixing? I'd like something with a drop in bobbin and threader really, but the repair guy said newer machines in my price range break very easily, so I should just get mine fixed...

Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks.

[abunchofus]

you could find a nice used one in that price range. There were lots around $150 at our local sew & vac shop we went in yesterday.

if you liked the machine and were very familiar with using and just didn't want to part with it - then I'd say fix it but if not then I'd probably look and see if you can find one that you like somewhere in your price range.

Check local sew & vac shops and watch sales at JoAnns and Sears. Also check craigslist

[courtenay_e]

do you need one today? It's almost garage sale season, and I am fairly sure that you could find one worth a LOT more than your $150 would buy you in a modern machine for a lot LESS at a garage or estate sale, if you looked carefully. For instance. My aunt bought me a singer for $25 at an estate sale when I graduated high school (okay, she'd probably have to spend $50 on it now...). I get it cleaned and oiled periodically, and saw one at the sewing machine repair shop just like it last week for $450. I was gifted a 1967 Kenmore from a woman I nannied for. She got many things from her Aunt's estate, and wasn't the sewing type, and didn't think she would get anything for it at a garage sale. I brought it in to be cleaned and oiled last week, because I thought it would be nice to have an extra machine soon for when dd wants to learn. The repair guy told me that he'd sell it for $750 in his store...that they just don't make it like that anymore. I KNOW this, as I grew up sewing on all metal kenmores and singers from the 50's and 60's...they are just better machines in general than you find now. They don't wear out, they don't break as easily (if you do the proper care and feeding periodically), and they're strong.

So, the moral of my story is, if you have a little time to wait, I'd start looking at salvation army and garage and estate sales, and see if you just can't find yourself a quality singer or kenmore from the 60's era, that will last you forever, and be worth MUCH more than the ones you could buy that are made today. And you'll probably very easily be able to stay within your $150 limit, including getting it cleaned and oiled!

Just my thoughts.

[riboflavin]

Thanks for the tips! Those fancy features like the auto threader and drop in bobbins are so tempting though! But the most important thing really is that it can go through multiple layers of thickish fabric and not break all the time. Are new ones around $150 with those fancy features really so crappy? Maybe I'll get a new one if I can't find a good used asap, then do the estate sales and garage sales when that season arrives! I do need something fast!

Anymore input welcome!! Thanks ya'll

[andisunshine]

Originally Posted by riboflavin

Thanks for the tips! Those fancy features like the auto threader and drop in bobbins are so tempting though! But the most important thing really is that it can go through multiple layers of thickish fabric and not break all the time. Are new ones around $150 with those fancy features really so crappy? Maybe I'll get a new one if I can't find a good used asap, then do the estate sales and garage sales when that season arrives! I do need something fast!

Anymore input welcome!! Thanks ya'll

You know, those new features are just more expensive things to replace when they break! My mom has an ancient Singer that is all black metal and really cool. Everytime she takes it in to get it serviced she thinks about getting rid of it, but then the repair guys tell her not to. Or if she has to, they'll take it off her hands. I'm sure it's one of those that will sell for $700. On the other hand, I was given a new Singer in 1994 as a gift. It broke last year. The newer ones just aren't made to last.
My newest machine is a Brother and I have to say I'm not happy with it. Regardless of the number of stitches it can do, I don't like the way it sounds sick when I run it at full speed. And it has a hard time going through thick stuff. I also don't like that you have to set the LCD screen for each different stitch width and length, if your machine accidentally gets turned off it automatically defaults to stitch 00. And you have to press a button for the needle to raise up. Just more electrical elements to fail, IMO.

[courtenay_e]

If you like the drop in bobbin, look for a Singer Touch and Sew. It was their drop in bobbin model. I learned to sew on it, and frequently consider buying one at the repair shop where I take my others to get oiled and cleaned! It is soooo easy to use.

[Dakota's Mom]

If your machine is old enough to still be mostly metal inside, fix it. If it is a newer machine that is almost entirely plastic inside don't bother, get a new one. The biggest problem with most newer machines is that they have very little actual metal inside them and the plastic breaks all the time. Your best bet is to get an older model metal machine. Pre-1980 is better.

Kathi

[riboflavin]

Thanks ya'll. I decided to get the old one fixed-insides ARE all metal-and then see how I like it. If it still drives me nuts, I'll be back on board (this one) asking for tips!