I have an opinion question not exactly related to embroidery. Yesterday I took my serger in to the shop after a week of frustration because I could not get it to chain after threading. I bought it used about 20 years ago, and it has been a real work horse. I hit a thick spot when I was sewing. They gave me the bad news. The timing was out, and to get it repaired would be $200. Ouch. I cannot justify paying that much for a repair. Can you tell me what you have for a serger and what you like or do not like about it? I would appreciate that. I'm debating on whether to buy another one. The bottom fell out of my income, so this is a big deal to me. Thanks so much!!!

I have several (8) sergers, 3 of them at least 20 years or more old. I would put the money into the old ones. They are like you said, work horses. I recently had someone give me an OLD singer serger, at least 20 years old...it was frozen up, out of time, a mess..It cost me $90 to have it fixed, worth every penny! I don't know where you live, but $200 seems a bit high...try another repair shop..many of them will work on machines not associated with the brand they sell. Ask your sewing friends in the area, where they take theirs..you may be able to get it done for less.

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by justonlyme 31 Oct 2011

Wow. Do you have a shop or something? I could not imagine having that many sergers. :) I've babied my one for the past two decades and it has treated me well.

I have an overlocker, similar to a serger, and my timing has gone out a few times. I must say that nothing I tried could fix it, so I had to concede and get it professionally sorted, and was advised that it was better to repair the older type machine as they are made to last and are more sturdy than any newer version. I would get a second quote if possible. Good luck.

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by justonlyme 31 Oct 2011

I will do that. My husband wants me to get a new one with all of the bells and whistles. But then, he doesn't know how much money we don't have.

I would seriously think about taking it apart yourself. I did just that last week to the old Elna L5D sitting in the back of the closet. It had frozen up several years ago, and was about to hit the scrap heap. I took it apart, oiled it, put new needles in it, adjusted and re-threaded it. It works just like brand new. Now I don't have to spend money I don't have on a serger for my daughter. She used it last night and is thrilled.

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by justonlyme 31 Oct 2011

I pulled it apart last night, cleaned and oiled it and installed new needle with high hopes. No luck.

It does seem excessive i have had on one occasion had the same problem the timing was out and i am sure it was less than $100 I think he is ripping you off is there another repair place you could compare prices with....good luck let us know how you get on...soozie

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by justonlyme 31 Oct 2011

Thank you for the encouragement. I will be calling around to get quotes.

So sorry to hear this. That certainly sounds a lot of money. I live in South Africa so cannot really be of any help. I have an Empisal overlocker which I am certain is a SA brand. i have had it for nearly 30 years. It is used almost every day and had never given me any trouble. I wish you lots of luck in your quest. Sarah.

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by justonlyme 31 Oct 2011

I have not heard of that brand, but I bet it was made like mine...sturdy and expected to "live" forever!! Thank you!

by pennifold 31 Oct 2011

I've heard of that brand Sarah in Australia. Love Chris

I was so haooy whe I walked into the store and the repair guy said"oh! she got a good one!" I got a viking 1000 does not have chain stitch, however I love it anyway! I spent just over 200 used. It is a difficult decision,If it is gonna work another 20 years I say fix it!

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by justonlyme 31 Oct 2011

Thank you. I'm definitely going to try!! I have too much to lose to not try.

I have a Janome 634D that I've had for about 10 yrs. with no problem. I think that $200 is a lot for the repair, especially when you think about what nanabs said. As your machine is over 20 yrs. old and you don't seem leery of trying to fix it yourself, so with the help of the utube videos - I'd say go for it - can't make it worse! (When you take it apart lay things out in the order to take it apart and maybe write some stuff down or even use some post it notes on each thing to help you remember where it goes to make it easier to put back together.)

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by mranderson 31 Oct 2011

I would take close-up photos on a digital camera to remind me where things go. Just a suggestion. Marg

by justonlyme 31 Oct 2011

Notes and pictures both!! I already have it apart. :)

I googled "how to set the timing on a serger machine" and read through some of them. If you want to try to adjust on your own (I know I would but that's me I take stuff apart all the time lol)there is some good information on these links. Good Luck.

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by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

Oh wow. I LOVE your idea. I had thought about tinkering with it, but didn't know where to start. Since there is some sort of information, then I'll try it. I retime my sewing machines often, and it works just fine. Thank you for the idea. I'm also one who takes things apart; the hardest part is getting them back together. :)

by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

I'm also one who takes things apart; the hardest part is getting them back together. :)
I don't like the comments cutting off here!!

by justonlyme 31 Oct 2011

I tried. Pulled the whole thing apart. Followed the directions. Cleaned everything from top to bottom. It still doesn't work. It was good to through though!!

My overlocker is almost 20 years old as well and a few years ago it needed a repair. I was faced with the same decision: buy a new (cheaper) one or repair the one I have? After consulting with the repair guy I had it fixed as its a well made workhorse that will outlast newer machines :)

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by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

I have to agree. The old machines were built to last forever! I'm not ready to give this up, but don't have that much $ laying around.

That sure seems like a lot of money to put into a 20 yr old machine. Maybe some of the l0ocal fabric shops have machine rpair people that they can recommend. I have a 25 yr old Bernina- no frills but it does the job.

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by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

I'm kind of far out. It is 30 miles to the nearest shop. I'll be checking prices tomorrow though IF I cannot get it going myself.

If that machine is 20+ yrs. old, it's probably better made than today's! If possible, I'd check another repair shop & have it repaired. A good serger isn't exactly cheap! I have a Viking, but it cost more than $200 several yrs ago! Good luck!

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by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

This is a Viking. And it is rock solid...or at least it was...

Wow $200.00 is a bit much to reset the timing. think I'd buy a new one for that. I just can't imagine that cost. Is there another repair shop close by? If so I'd call and see how much timing would cost there. The shop where I worked at only cost about $35.00 for timing. Entire cleaning including timing was only $69.95. I'm in shock...

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by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

Wow, where do you live? I wouldn't mind using your repair shop!! :)

by nanabs 03 Nov 2011

I live in Ohio USA but our shop closed in March this year and I am very sad to lose that job after 8 years as it was wonderful. Worked for my best friends and she is losing her eye site so had to close. wish we were still open and you could all bring machines to us. They were the most honest people I know and so great to our customers. I was so spoiled. We live in a depressed area so they tried to keep prices down. Just had coffee with the tech this AM and was telling him about this charge and he couldn't believe it so I sent him a copy of the post.

by nanabs 03 Nov 2011

shoot got cut off.... adding the rest.
and you could all bring machines to us. Good honest people and treated all customers like a friend. I was so spoiled and love my job. we were a Brother warranty center but worked on all machines.

When my Singer quit sewing anything but white thread, I was so upset, i went to Walmart & got an inexpensive Brother & it has been a wonderful machine. Love it. Hugs, Judy

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by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

I haven't seen any inexpensive sergers that don't look like toys. I've been looking. The nearest WalMart is about 110 miles away.

I purchased a baby lock model BL097 in March of this year
and am quite pleased with it. I think the best feature is the facility to rethread when necessary, a door in the front opens and the workings are very visible and easily accessed. I was looking to buy viking because my other machine are viking but the dealer recommended this
one saying it was a better machine. I like it, no complaints.
Good Luck in your search
Michelle

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by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

That is a nice machine. Thank you for your input. I sure appreciate it!

do you have any other (local) options for repair? Maybe another quote? Here we can go directly to the tech who does the machine repairs for the sewing shops. They may advertise privately if you check your local papers or telephone book. Another option, buying a(nother!) 2nd hand one in good condition, either through a shop or Ebay etc. I'm sure lots of people have them sitting around unused and eventually sell them. Best of luck.

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by justonlyme 30 Oct 2011

I'll be checking all of what you said tomorrow once businesses open. We don't have very much sewing anything nearby. Thank you.