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From: needle_elf
Date: 11-12-2006, 10:47 PM (1 of 12)
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I found a Husqvarna serger used at an area thrift store tonight. The machine is marked $150, but tomorrow I can get it for half that--$75. Are there ways to know if it is a good deal? I'm pretty sure the store's policy is "all sales final". And what if something is wrong with it? Does anyone have any experience with having their serger serviced, and the associated cost? I haven't used a serger in many years, but I very much want to invest in one, and the price certainly seems right. Any advice anyone has for me will be greatfully received. Thanks. Jennifer |
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000 Total posts: 26 |
From: wghmch
Date: 11-12-2006, 11:06 PM (2 of 12)
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Husqvarna has had their sergers made by numerous mfgrs, so in order to give you any info about this one, I would need to know who made it or at least the model number. For quite a few of the early years of sergers, they were made by Brother, and there was always an equivalent Brother model. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: needle_elf
Date: 11-12-2006, 11:58 PM (3 of 12)
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Bill, I think the model number was 810. Unfortunately I didn't get any more info than that. The store was already closed when I spotted it on my way out, and I'm pretty sure they would have lynched me if I would have taken the time to look any further. Thanks for any help you might have for me. Jennifer |
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000 Total posts: 26 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 11-13-2006, 12:44 AM (4 of 12)
| I don't know older models of Vikings like Bill does. I only used Babylocks till recently and I don't know of the 810 but one of the newer Viking models is a 910 . If it is a 910 and not an 810, I would surely buy it for that price. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: wghmch
Date: 11-13-2006, 01:56 PM (5 of 12)
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And I am afraid that I am the opposite of Kylnne. It is too new for me. Maybe Tom Land will jump in. He's still in this crazy business, and far more up to date on recent models. If it is fairly new, I would ask the dealer for permission to talk to the previous owner and find out why they traded it. Usually, (not always) if it has been traded in on the same brand it is a good sign, and if on another brand, a caution flag goes up. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 11-13-2006, 05:34 PM (6 of 12)
| Well, the price is weird if it is a 910 and not an 810. The 910 is a current model that sells for around $1000 or more. One on line site has a refurb of the 910 for $999. So $150 for a 910 would be rather outstanding, possibly that price is only for the thread antenna LOL. Sorry I could not have been of more help. I am not familiar with the model 810. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 11-13-2006, 11:27 PM (7 of 12)
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I don't remember an 810. I can't imagine a 910 anywhere near that price. Although a thrift store might not know it's value. Regardless, if it works and has differential feed it is worth that price. If its an older model and doesn't work it might not be a very good deal. Things to check are: are both loopers there & make sure the needleplate is'nt broken. If I wasn't confident that I would know how to use it I would'nt buy anywhere that I couldn't get help. Your local dealer can probably get you as good a deal on a reconditioned machine and then you'd have help as well as a guarantee.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
|
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: needle_elf
Date: 11-15-2006, 02:50 PM (8 of 12)
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Okay, so here's the update: I was totally wrong on the model number. It's a Husqvarna Huskylock 565d. I went Monday to the thrift shop where I spotted it and found it still there. So I played around with it a little (powered it up, opened it up and watched motion). It looks okay on the surface. Needs a good cleaning and I'd like to have it re-calibrated before I try to use it (yep--I lucked out and my folks were with me shopping and decided that they would get it for me! Gotta love that!) Now I need to buy an owner's manual for it, and I would be thrilled if I could find a repair manual as well. So far I haven't had any luck with the repair manual, though I did find one place that offers the owner's manual for $16 plus shipping. At any rate, I'd be happy to hear what experience any of you have with this machine, or Husqvarnas of this era in general. Jennifer |
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000 Total posts: 26 |
From: wghmch
Date: 11-15-2006, 04:50 PM (9 of 12)
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Jennifer, It's a Brother built machine, about 15 years old, and the model has a habit of inconsistency. It would not have been one that I would have recommended, but every once and a while there was one of them that ran quite well. Sorry to be discouraging to you, but if you do run into problems, I would hate for you to feel that it is your fault. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: needle_elf
Date: 11-16-2006, 09:18 AM (10 of 12)
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Bill, Thanks for letting me know about the inconsistancy problem. I am glad to know that in advance so I'm not overly frustrated later. I have to admit that it is a little frustrating to hear about, but frankly, on a pastor's salary, there isn't much chance of me getting any other serger. So I've got to make lemonade.  Do you know if it's possible to find a repair manual for my serger? I've been looking online, but no luck yet. I'd really like to be able to do my own repairs & maintenence, if possible. (especially since I called around the other day to area shops and found that it will cost me around $70 to have it serviced on a basic level!) Jennifer |
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000 Total posts: 26 |
From: wghmch
Date: 11-16-2006, 12:21 PM (11 of 12)
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Jennifer, If memory serves, the 565D was a shorter run version of the similar but better known 560D & 560ED. So you might keep this in mind as you look. It is certainly possible that you can find an IB, (Sew USA shows one for the 560ED) but a service manual would not be of much value without quite a bit of hands on training in working on sergers. This series was (I believe) the first one that Brother made that was supposed to use the common 15X1/705H needles. Prior to these, they used the 16X231. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 11-16-2006, 07:50 PM (12 of 12)
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Jennifer, you can purchase a Janome which is also known as New Home on line for around $199 with free shipping. Janome also makes the Sears Kenmore sergers that cost a bit more and basically the same. These sergers have 4 threads with differential feed but not the coverhem/chain stitches but Janome does make coverhem models. They have few bells and whistles but are known to be work horses by their owners. You might wish to check them out on line, several dealers have them. You might want to check on line dealers such as Allbrands, Sew Vac Direct and even more. You might also want to check on line reviews of sergers by owners at Pattern Review. I hope you can find a serger that you can love and one that suits your pocketbook. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
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