oiling an Elna Carina

[thistlecreek]

Hi, new here! I have googled my question until I'm blue in the face with no answer.. and I stumbled in here, I hope someone can help.

I regularly oil my machine in the bobbin casing where the red dot is, but I'm wondering if there are more oil points I am unaware of. Does any one else know if the Elna Carina SU has other oil points that I am missing?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[lendube]

Sorry, I came up empty when I looked for a bit hoping to help you out but I do want to welcome you to the board. Give us an easy question and watch the responses you get!

I know with an old mechanical Singer I have I just put a drop of oil in a couple of holes in the diagram and the other places to oil are where metal rubs together when it moves (for lack of a better explanation). Just places that would create friction in other words seems logical. Just IMO. If it's a computerized machine there's little to no oiling that's needed other than what a tech does for you.

[Skye]

I have an old Elna SU and it has several oiling points. 2 in the bobbin area not just one.
There is a good group over on yahoo http://www.bestdiscussiongroups.com/gr_elnaheirloomsewingmachines_p1.htm
They have copies of some manuals too
Good luck

[thistlecreek]

Skye:

Two points you say, mine only has the one red dot? Does it make a difference that it is Electronic with an air treadle? I was hoping Elna's home page would be helpful... It doesn't even list US dealers so I could call and ask questions of one of them.

Mostly I was wondering if there was an oil point up hight the tension arm end in the mechanics seams to squeak a bit lately.



Len:
Thanks for the welcome

[Sewing Lady]

Hey Len, I have a very old Elna. I was told that my machine was NOT to be oiled. It would deteriorate the plastic. So I have never oiled. When I used it it went to the dealer yearly for servicing.

[got2bjennyg]

Skye:


Mostly I was wondering if there was an oil point up hight the tension arm end in the mechanics seams to squeak a bit lately.


Len:

You should not be oiling the tension assembly. However, if you are referring to the thread take-up arm/lever, that does have a point where two pieces of metal touch and move, so It would require oil, especially if it squeaks.


Also, one would not want to oil any of the plastic gears on an Elna. I have an Elna Super SU 62C from the early 1970's, and it gives clear instructions in the manual for routine, user cleaning and oiling. I suggest that you pull out the manual for your Carnina. It probably has the info that you are seeking.

[lendube]

Yep, I'm referring to the take up lever not the tension disks (to my mind all that would do is get oil all over your thread! )

My old Singer's (circa 1977) manual has a nice oiling diagram and almost all metal components with a plastic casing. It's still a great machine.

[got2bjennyg]

My old Singer's (circa 1977) manual has a nice oiling diagram and almost all metal components with a plastic casing. It's still a great machine.

Not to bust your bubble, but.....By 1977, Singer was using nylon/derlin/plastic gears in all their machines (they started doing that in the mid to late -1960's), along with a few other non-metal internal parts that can become issues (timing belt for one).

Anyhow, years ago, it was assumed that folks didn't want to take their machines in for simple, routine, service and cleaning, so clear instructions and diagrams where often included in the manual for properly maintaining the machine without routine trips to the shop unless something actually broke.

JennyG

[thistlecreek]

Also, one would not want to oil any of the plastic gears on an Elna. I have an Elna Super SU 62C from the early 1970's, and it gives clear instructions in the manual for routine, user cleaning and oiling. I suggest that you pull out the manual for your Carnina. It probably has the info that you are seeking.

The problem with that is the manual is nowhere to be found, my Mom gave me the machine without it and she cannot find it.

I have opened everything easily openable without a screwdriver and the one dot in the bobbin casing is it.

I think this machine is from '85 or '87.

[got2bjennyg]

You should have a copy of the manual on hand. There are several sites that sell them. Here is one.

http://pages.sewing-machine-manuals.com/173/InventoryPage/1797255/1.html - they also have repair/adjusters manuals.