I know there are no fumble questions but.......

[easyquilts]

I am sure I was told I didn't have to oil my Janomes when I bought the first one, years ago, so I haven't. Never gave it a thought....

But.... The takeup lever in my 2007 did stop working, and now my Jem .platinum is squeaking....

So..... Should I have been oiling them? I don't hear well, so I could easily have misheard.

Did I ruin my Judy? Oh, I hope not... She has been a real workhorse.

I did take the 2007 to the repairman today.... I will be totally embarrassed if I was supposed to be oiling all thus time.

[Denis]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

If you sew a lot, taking your machine in for a complete tuning, oiling and cleaning should be done every few years.

For your take up lever to stop working, I'm thinking there could be some threads that have wrapped themselves somewhere along the lever where you cant see it. Take a look at this picture. It happens more often than you think. Sometimes there is so much thread build up, it will actually damage the lever.

Husvarna take up arm 001 (1).jpg

If you were told by your dealer not to oil it, then don't be embarrassed for not oiling it as you were following their "expert" opinions. When you pick up your machine from the repair person, have them explain and show you what you could be doing on your own regarding cleaning and oiling. Reputable repair persons will be more than happy to show you this.

[soul60s]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

I saw the photo but I don't recognize it. What is a take up lever?

[Denis]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

Joanne, the take up lever is the arm on your sewing machine that goes up and down as you sew. Your thread passes through it but many times if not careful, the thread may slip out if not threaded correctly. The picture I posted has part of the lever removed so you may not be able to recognize it properly.

[grannyann]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

My Janome is almost a year old and I am taking it in for a cleaning and check up here in a week or so. I don't sew as much as some but for what I paid I am not taking any chances.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

Denis, can the home sewist get to this part to remove the thread build up? Or does a machine repairperson have to disassemble the machine to unjam it? On some of my machines, you can open the front cover and on others you can't without unscrewing it. I'm always afraid of disassembling for fear I might not be able to reassemble it!

[Janet J]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

Sandy I have a jem platinum and the service person told me the only place I should oil was under the bobbin case. Under the case there is a small lip around the outside edge that needs a drop of oil about every month and also in the middle under the case there is a small opening that looks like it has a white cotton in it. He told me to also put a drop there. Hope that makes sense. Never had any problems with the take up lever squeaking.

[Denis]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

Jean, If your machine has a cover that slips off, or on a hinge as you described, or possibly loosening one or 2 screws, you may be able to have a look at the take up lever. All machines are built differently. Older machines are much more easier to take apart than the new ones on the market today. For example my first Janome MyExcel (?something?) Limited Edition (2000), was much simpler than my Janome QC6260 (2006)to take apart. Some machines have a cover above the pressure foot area that comes off easily, while others have a 2 piece solid cover (front and back) for the entire machine. These are more difficult to remove and it's easy to forget which screw went where as they are not always the same size.

Anyone with a new machine, please look through your booklet and study your warrantee. If you attempt to open your machine, you may void the entire warrantee.

[easyquilts]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

Sandy I have a jem platinum and the service person told me the only place I should oil was under the bobbin case. Under the case there is a small lip around the outside edge that needs a drop of oil about every month and also in the middle under the case there is a small opening that looks like it has a white cotton in it. He told me to also put a drop there. Hope that makes sense. Never had any problems with the take up lever squeaking.

I really like my new repairman... I 'm sure he will show me how to better maintain my machines. You did make sense.. I understood what you were saying... No problem....

Thanks..

[easyquilts]

Re: I know there are no fumble questions but.......

Sandy I have a jem platinum and the service person told me the only place I should oil was under the bobbin case. Under the case there is a small lip around the outside edge that needs a drop of oil about every month and also in the middle under the case there is a small opening that looks like it has a white cotton in it. He told me to also put a drop there. Hope that makes sense. Never had any problems with the take up lever squeaking.

Isn't it a cute little machine... My takeout lever isn' the thing that is squeaking.... I don't think... But, when Judy gets back, Judy Jr. is going in to be cleaned and checked out.... I'm doing that for both machines every year from now on...faithfully.