How do I learn about sewing machine repair?

[achintyasamma]

My local sew & vac charges $69 and up for repairs and I just had it in there in October for $74. I need a cheaper way to fix my machine. Right now, I can't loosen the top-thread tension. I think the tension hook is not working. I tightened the bobbin thread, so now the machine is sewing reasonably well, but both threads are ridiculously tight. Can I troubleshoot and fix this myself? It's a Singer 2638 and I really don't want to put more money into fixing it right now. I don't mind buying parts, but the labor is too expensive for me.

[tippytoes26]

i asked the same thing one time because it cost me nearly $400 to have my serger and sewing machine serviced and cleaned once a year.. and that's if there is nothing wrong with them.

what i was told was there are places online that you can find "service manuals" for your particular machine. If you can't find one, call the manufacturer.

i haven't ordered mine yet.. but will soon.

[rubelin]

there's a great Yahoo Group dedicated to this (although they specialize in vintage machines)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wefixit/

[mrslevine]

It's funny you asked, because I threw my hands up in the air yesterday about this too!!! I found a site online that shows you where to oil, and I tackled it last night. It was easy!

Just use your manual, and take it apart. Just be careful. Take off the area under the presser foot -- clean that out. That lint will KILL your bobbin tension. Then, the screws around the back should give you access to the inside, where you need to oil. Just hit the local sew/vac store to grab a bottle of good oil for it. Then you oil the "moving parts" -- it's pretty obvious where you'd need to oil, and where not to oil.

Here's a link with a diagram to help you:
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library...ces-F2147.html

Let me know if you have any questions! It's still fresh in my mind, so I hope I can help.

- Jaymie