bobbi Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 At my last long arm meeting, two gals who use "other" machines, said they add a drop of oil to the hook(?) after each bobbin... Now I know I'm blonde (or was), but did I miss something? Is that a normal thing? Anyway, I began doing it and things actually run a bit smoother. I was often having thread getting caught in the hook and now I'm not. So what other parts do you clean while you are quilting a quilt? Just askin'! I clean after each quilt, but during? What do ya think? What else am I missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 ABM recommends that we use a drop of oil to our hook assembly with every bobbin change on our Innova machines. I can tell when I am getting to the end of a bobbin because I hear a different sound from the assembly - still sews well just gets a bit noisier. Once I change the bobbin and add the drop of oil - resumes purring quietly. I also check for any dust in the bobbin assembly when changing the bobbin - often brush out with a small brush - better safe than sorry. I now do the same with my Millie. A drop is very little and I don't get any build up. I am sure I would if I used too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted November 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Thanks Meg... I've always cleaned the dust out, and glad to know this "oil" tip too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelleywa Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Bobbette, I brush the lint from the bobbin area at most bobbin changes, depending what thread I am using. Some threads are more 'linty' than otheres. Then I also put a drop of oil just at the bottom of the casing which houses the bobbin, and it sure helps things run more smoothly! In the mornings before I begin to quilt, I walk around my table checking the wheels and table top, dusting things down with a bit of spare batting as I go. I find this quick visual check often prevents problems from happening later ie. catching a bit of thread that's caught around the wheel. I also clean my tracks once a month or so, and wax with a fine antique grade wax called 'Renaissance'. It seems to slow down the build up of that black stuff. I always make sure I clean the tracks and table before I take a quilt off as I dread getting it on the back of the quilt! I also cover my machine with a large plastic sleeve (from a roll of batting) at night when I've finished work. AND I always cover the quilt on the frame so it keeps clean. After we did the maintenance class over here, I realised I needed to take off the front cover and dust out inside, but I've yet to do this bit!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 I pretty much do as Shelley does. When working with wool and poly thread I don't tend to have a lot of build up of dust but sometimes there are quilts I do that have a ton of lint that require me to clean every bobbin. I can definitely hear the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Thanks for the tip of the drop of oil, I usually just clean the bobbin area each morning but notice that it gets a little rattly by the end of the day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 I put the drop of oil when I hear the rattle in the bobbin area! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Yep - I was told to put a drop of oil in there. Really reduces the amount of rattle you get! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boni Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 I'm tempted sometimes to oil every other bobbin, but it doesn't rattle as much if I do it after every bobbin, and clean out the lint with each bobbin change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 Learned something new again today! Thanks for sharing! I always blow out the bobbin area with my air compressor with every bobbin change, but oiling was not part of my habits, until today.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stagecl Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 I have always oiled and cleared the lint out of the bobbin case with each bobbin change. I still do that with my old DSM of 30 years, which runs like a champ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted November 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 Thanks for all the info gals! Somehow I had "missed" that tip - however - NOW I do it all the time! I blow the lint from the bobbin case and the hook, as well as the rest of the machine... It sure makes a difference! I really should put something over my machine when I'm not using it - my place is sooo dusty! I DO cover my quilts when they are loaded - especially the ones I've marked - I don't let the sun get on them and I have lots of windows in the studio part of my home! I also "park" my machine off the quilt at night - just in case. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretchen Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 Every bobbin change? Not me, every quilt, yes. And if I hear a rattle between. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mswings Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 Good to know. I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnitaSews Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Great tip! I've never done that and certainly never thought of it, Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Usually every other bobbin unless the batting or thread is pretty linty, then I do it every bobbin change. Just the way I was taught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Originally posted by Bobbi47 So what other parts do you clean while you are quilting a quilt? Just askin'! Yes, I always start my "day" with a blow out and drop or two of oil in the hook area. And I often put a drop or two of oil in the bobbin "hook" assembly area after blowing out and several bobbin changes. And I always always do it when I do the thorough blow+WD40+oil drops on hook assembly. Always oil after WD40. I use a precision tip bottle so it just gives a tiny oil drop exactly where I want it. Originally posted by Bobbi47 I clean after each quilt, but during? What do ya think? What else am I missing? During quilting, yes sometimes, depending on how fuzzy everthing is getting. I always blow out my bobbin after each bobbin change. I also blow off the needle bar if it's fuzzy. I also blow out my bobbin case! My little shark vacuum... that puppy is running often. I always use it before I load a quilt, and just before I unload a quilt. I don't like any stray threads getting on the batting or quilt top or backing. I usually wipe down my table and rails before quilting and if the quilt is predominately white or cream, I always wipe down the rails to avoid any black oxidation from getting on the fabric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Where do you put the oil so you can be sure it won't appear on the quilt? Failing that how do you remove the oil from the quilt when it does. I often get oil coming up after I oil in the hook area so doing it every bobbin isn't an option. Ferret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted November 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 I haven't noticed any oil on the back of the quilts, but like Shana, I use the oil thingy that has the "precision" nozzle on it... I only use a drop. I park the machine off the quilt, take the thread out of the needle, and run the machine for several seconds. Then I wipe out the hook area. I do all this after I have "blown" out the hook, the needle plate, the bobbin case, etc. So, the point is that there should then be enough oil to lubricate the hook, but not enough to "spray" up onto the quilt.... Thanks everyone for your great comments and ideas! This has been very helpful and informative! One more question for ya - I have an electric fabric advance on my machine - I love it! While I do blow it out and try to keep it "dust free", is there more maintenance due on this? Let me know!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 I don't find it sprays onto the quilt, I find the thread pulls it pulls it up. After oiling I wipe then leave the machine overnight, then wipe again and mostly that keeps the oil off my work, but it's not something I can do every bobbin. Ferret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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