Thank you for the freedom to used canned air without guilt! I’ve been doing it for years, and it is so helpful at getting the last bits of lint that are hiding out of sight. Your newsletters are so, so helpful, keep them coming!!
Thank you, Cale, for these very informative posts. I’ve learned a lot. And you are an excellent writer. (I’m a published writer and a former English teacher, so I know whereof I speak. 🙂
Thank you for a very good article with information that we all need to know. Why don't shops that sell machines tell customers this important information? Looking forward to your newsletters.
Hi Amy, thank you for the kind words. My personal opinion is that the sewing machine industry has a problem with "knowledge gaps." For example, the technicians know a ton of stuff about the inside of the machine, but they don't necessarily know what the user experience is like. The people who sell machines and work at the front end of the shop understand user experience, but they aren't familiar with the technical aspects of the machine. I am fortunate to have hands-on experience with both side, so hopefully I can fill in these knowledge gaps for people.
Cale I am reading your post News Letter for the first time. I have been In Upholstery since I started working at a furniture Factory in North Mississippi at the age of 18. I am now 70 and still at it doing Airboat seats. I found your Newsletter very very interesting and helpful. Do you ever post about industrial machines. I am sewing now with a OLD Consew 206 RB 1 and a Phaff 545.. Thanks again and God Bless you
Hi Steve, thank you for the kind words. I am glad you are enjoying it so far, also glad to have a reader with a upholstery background such as yours. I will be writing mostly about home sewing machines, though many of the principles I'll cover also apply to industrials. Right now I I do have an article planned that talks about the pros and cons of industrial machines-- why someone might wants an industrial machine over a home machine-- so stay tuned for that.
I am religious about cleaning out my machine but Wow! Examining between the grooves of the feed dogs even after brushing. Thanks for the info. I love your newsletter.
Thank you for this information. I have an older Viking and have trouble finding individuals willing to work on it. Your information will help me keep this great machine in motion.
Wow, back in about 2000 when I first got into quilting and got a Brother, the machine intro class recommended canned air for cleaning (a different shop). Then later I became a Bernina girl and heard somewhere do not use canned air on Berninas because they are all metal and canned air introduces moisture, and doing your regular lint cleaning & oiling is sufficient. I didn’t even think about trying to clean the upper tension disks. Is that why they teach us never to pull thread backwards from needle, but instead snip above take up lever & pull it it out from the needle area?
I would say that pulling the thread out backwards could possibly create more lint than the other way around. I have heard people say that it is really bad for the machine, but I think that claim is a bit overblow. Pulling thread out backwards would not be responsible for the excessive lint buildup I spoke about in this email. This kind of buildup comes from lots of machine use.
Thank you for the freedom to used canned air without guilt! I’ve been doing it for years, and it is so helpful at getting the last bits of lint that are hiding out of sight. Your newsletters are so, so helpful, keep them coming!!
Thank you, Cale, for these very informative posts. I’ve learned a lot. And you are an excellent writer. (I’m a published writer and a former English teacher, so I know whereof I speak. 🙂
Thanks for the tips on keeping the machine clean and operating smoothly. I love the newsletter. 👍
Thank you for your posts. And YES, thank you for the letting us know it's ok to use canned air.
Thank you for a very good article with information that we all need to know. Why don't shops that sell machines tell customers this important information? Looking forward to your newsletters.
Hi Amy, thank you for the kind words. My personal opinion is that the sewing machine industry has a problem with "knowledge gaps." For example, the technicians know a ton of stuff about the inside of the machine, but they don't necessarily know what the user experience is like. The people who sell machines and work at the front end of the shop understand user experience, but they aren't familiar with the technical aspects of the machine. I am fortunate to have hands-on experience with both side, so hopefully I can fill in these knowledge gaps for people.
Cale I am reading your post News Letter for the first time. I have been In Upholstery since I started working at a furniture Factory in North Mississippi at the age of 18. I am now 70 and still at it doing Airboat seats. I found your Newsletter very very interesting and helpful. Do you ever post about industrial machines. I am sewing now with a OLD Consew 206 RB 1 and a Phaff 545.. Thanks again and God Bless you
Hi Steve, thank you for the kind words. I am glad you are enjoying it so far, also glad to have a reader with a upholstery background such as yours. I will be writing mostly about home sewing machines, though many of the principles I'll cover also apply to industrials. Right now I I do have an article planned that talks about the pros and cons of industrial machines-- why someone might wants an industrial machine over a home machine-- so stay tuned for that.
- Cale
Thank you. I will take your information to heart.
Very well written and explained. Thanks a good read for all sewers.
I am religious about cleaning out my machine but Wow! Examining between the grooves of the feed dogs even after brushing. Thanks for the info. I love your newsletter.
Thank you for the great information.
Well, I just learned a LOT. :-)
aways enjoy your news letter. at one time or another I have experienced all the problems you have reported on.
thank you for the kind words
Thanks for the tips.
Thank you for this information. I have an older Viking and have trouble finding individuals willing to work on it. Your information will help me keep this great machine in motion.
Wow, back in about 2000 when I first got into quilting and got a Brother, the machine intro class recommended canned air for cleaning (a different shop). Then later I became a Bernina girl and heard somewhere do not use canned air on Berninas because they are all metal and canned air introduces moisture, and doing your regular lint cleaning & oiling is sufficient. I didn’t even think about trying to clean the upper tension disks. Is that why they teach us never to pull thread backwards from needle, but instead snip above take up lever & pull it it out from the needle area?
Hi Peggy,
I would say that pulling the thread out backwards could possibly create more lint than the other way around. I have heard people say that it is really bad for the machine, but I think that claim is a bit overblow. Pulling thread out backwards would not be responsible for the excessive lint buildup I spoke about in this email. This kind of buildup comes from lots of machine use.
Some years ago I purchased a vacuum kit from you. Is it better to use the canned air or the vacuum to clean out the lint.
Thanks for all your information.
Sharon Bell