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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
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From: TexasDeb
Date: 04-26-2007, 09:44 AM (1 of 15)
| I purchase this Singer 513 for $20 bucks. Should I spend the money to have it repair. It's locked up or something. I am new quilter. Completed my first quilt and ready to take the dive. But I am not ready to shell out $1000 or more for a new machine just yet. |
User: TexasDeb
Member since: 04-26-2007 Total posts: 7 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-26-2007, 10:25 AM (2 of 15)
|
How much are the repairs? There is a middle ground between $20 at a yard sale and $1,000. I just bought my daughter a nice little Singer for a couple hundred on sale. I wouldn't give torture it the way I do my machine, but if treated well it should last a while. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: TexasDeb
Date: 04-26-2007, 10:38 AM (3 of 15)
| Just to service is $79.95...plus parts. I am sooo confused about sewing machines. I mean I want to purchase a new one.......but darn.....it's like buying a new car. Soooo many to choose from and I have no idea what brand or how much is tooo much in cost. |
User: TexasDeb
Member since: 04-26-2007 Total posts: 7 |
From: Anza54
Date: 04-26-2007, 10:48 AM (4 of 15)
| I agree with Dorothy, It depends on the repair cost. $1000 for a sewing machine? Ouch, not for me anyway. Especially if you are just getting started. That kind of price is for way down the line. I have several sewing machines. Janome, Pfaff, Brother, and a Kenmore. I love them all. I would suggest if you don't want to spend the money for repairs, Just find a nice a machine for a couple hundred. You can find a nice Brother with the quilter foot, walking foot and all the accessories for under $200.00 I have seen them at WM, and I am sure you can return it if it doesn't work out for you. Within 90 days that is . 90 days is plenty of time to decide if you like the machine or not. I have had allot of luck with Brothers myself. As far as the locking up part, it could just be the the if the machine has sat unused for awhile the oils inside the machine have hardened up. A good cleaning could possibly take care of that. Good luck |
User: Anza54
Member since: 03-13-2007 Total posts: 63 |
From: TexasDeb
Date: 04-26-2007, 11:02 AM (5 of 15)
| Yep I tried that Brother from WM --- man that sucker was alot trouble...not enough room when putting the quilt in to start the finishing part. I used my D-I-L sewing machine.....it's about 5 years old.....don't know the model.......but we got it finished. Ok. I have read alot were folks just like the vintage machines because they are work horses. The $1000 machine was a Janome I stopped a the Sewing Machine/Vac Warehouse and that dude tried to sell me a machine $1499. OUCH. I told him I am just looking for now. :-( Then I found this Singer. What is a girl to do?? Hee..hee.. |
User: TexasDeb
Member since: 04-26-2007 Total posts: 7 |
From: Teri
Date: 04-26-2007, 11:06 AM (6 of 15)
|
Deb, Is there another sewing machine repair place near you? If sew check their prices. However, $79 isn't too bad if it gets you up and working again with a well cleaned and oiled machine. Have you brought the sewing machine in to them? They may be able to tell you if parts will be necessary if they see the machine. I regularly buy old machines and have to oil and clean them before they work well. Many machines have nylon/plasic gears that break down over time, the gears cost about $40 each and IMHO aren't worth replacing. Do you have any friends that sew who could check the machine for you? Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66 
|
From: TexasDeb
Date: 04-26-2007, 11:13 AM (7 of 15)
| I am going to take it over and see. Can't hurt. I guess. I am just trying to get a good beginner sewing machine without breaking the bank. Thanks to all for your replies. I am just so excited about my new hobby I just want to start on my next quilt. |
User: TexasDeb
Member since: 04-26-2007 Total posts: 7 |
From: Teri
Date: 04-26-2007, 11:15 AM (8 of 15)
|
I just did a quick check on my Yahoo Shade Tree Machanics Sewing Machine group and found the 513 does have plastic gears.
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66
|
From: Anza54
Date: 04-26-2007, 11:21 AM (9 of 15)
| Sorry to hear that about the Brother from WM. I personally have never had any problems with mine. But then I don't do the finished quilting part on a machine. I do it by hand. Anyway let us all know how it worked out on the repair part. |
User: Anza54
Member since: 03-13-2007 Total posts: 63 |
From: TexasDeb
Date: 04-26-2007, 11:51 AM (10 of 15)
Wow - Thanks for checking on the plastic gears. That was thoughtful  . I also have a Singer 285K that my husbands great aunt just gave me. I am forsure taking it in for service.
|
User: TexasDeb
Member since: 04-26-2007 Total posts: 7 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-26-2007, 01:58 PM (11 of 15)
|
Texas Deb there are only a few machines out there (new Janome 6500-6600 and Pfaff Hobby Grand Quilter) that I know of that have bigger throats and are made to acutally handle the bulk of a quilt bigger than a crib size. If you want to machine quilt, you have to decide to put up with the fluff and stuff method with most home machines. Patsy Patsy
|
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: TexasDeb
Date: 04-26-2007, 03:40 PM (12 of 15)
Thanks so much everyone for your replies. 
|
User: TexasDeb
Member since: 04-26-2007 Total posts: 7 |
From: wghmch
Date: 04-26-2007, 11:24 PM (13 of 15)
|
There are many Singers that are really worth getting fixed up, and there are a few that are not. Both the 513 & the 285 fall into the latter group. Sorry. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: lamx
Date: 04-27-2007, 09:55 AM (14 of 15)
|
I suspect your 513 has cracked or broken gear(s), as do many Singer Stylists of that vintage. In addition to the $79.95 servicing, you are probably looking at around $100 for parts & labor to replace gear(s). You can find a good used machine that doesn't need repair for $179. The Singer 401, 403, 500, and 503; Necchi Supernova; older Kenmores; and other Japanese machines from the 60's are all reliable machines and are currently available for $179 or less. Even some of the older Elnas, Pfaffs, Berninas, and Vikings can be found in that price range if you are a smart shopper. Another option, if you are mechanically minded, or have a friend that is, is a do-it-yourself repair on the 513. There are several internet groups who will guide you through the troubleshooting process and, if new gears are the answer, they cost around $5 each plus shipping and and can be replaced with common hand tools. Ed |
User: lamx
Member since: 05-04-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 04-28-2007, 10:42 PM (15 of 15)
|
Deb, Bill and Ed have already said it but I'll repeat it. If the 513 doesn't have a broken gear it will soon. The 285 is a rough running machine but if kept cleaned and oiled holds up very well. I personally would not pay to have it serviced if it was any more that $39.95. There are some decent low priced machines on the market but they are not at WM. Check with your Pfaff, Viking, Bernina, and Janome dealers. People will argue but the service records prove it... Janomes sold by "big box" stores are not the same as the ones you'll get from a dealer.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
|
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
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