Sewing machine light bulbs

[bridesmom]

I find this thread kind of funny. I don't have any replacement light bulbs for my machines, and I did blow one a year or two ago and it took forever to find another one, had to special order it. The funny thing is, so many of us don't have a spare bulb, but do you have spare lightbulbs for in your house light fixtures?? Then, I ask, why don't we have spare bulbs for our machines???
I have spare needles, serger blade, spool holders, but no light bulbs. I think that will be on my shopping list.

[momquilts]

DH bought my machine many years ago at JC Penney as a Christmas gift. It was sold as Penney brand but it was made by Brother. My friend also had an old Brother machine so we decided to go to a dealer we saw at a quilt show to see what they would give us in a trade-in. My machine was worth about $10 for scrap and I decided to keep it, so I needed a new bulb. The people in the shop couldn't find anything to even come close to what I needed. I kept the old machine to take to classes. I also use it to put in zippers since I don't like the foot on my new machine. When I use it I have to have a lamp on the table because I can't see a thing!

[Mom of Six]

My old machine will take regular night light bulbs. they are not as bright but work in a pinch. I always have those on hand. I have never changed my serger bulb but it has come loose a couple of times & I had to unscrew everything just to tighten it.

[DorothyL]

One of the women at my dealer/quilt fabric shop said mine burn out a lot because I touch them and you are not supposed to touch that type of bulb. But how would you get them in without touching?
Dorothy

[ddreev]

But how would you get them in without touching?

If they are a halogen type bulb I think I was told onetime that the oils from your fingers are not good for them and to use a rag or tissue to hold them to put in. My sewing machine has an open tube end on one side of the screw driver and you insert the bulb using that. I haven't replaced it yet but that was in the instructions. I have only replaced one bulb in all the years I have been sewing....I guess I'm just lucky.

[Here_Fishey]

Hmm, I have replaced one bulb in my now back-up machine. I pulled the bulb out and took it to a local electronics store (Not radio shack), the new bulb cost me.... (wait for it.....) a whole $.24 and the person at the counter was wanting to just give the bulb to me (I think it probably cost them more in time to write up the invoice than it was worth),,, His thought was that though the bulb would fit, but that it might not be bright enough.... and I was working without light without the bulb....

Lets see, the moral of this story is -- for bulbs, go somewhere other than the dealer for replacements unless you are still under warranty!!!!

[LeapFrog Libby]

My serger is at least 20 years old.. (Purchased before 1989) The original bulb just burned out a few months ago. I took it out and went to Lowe's and they had one that fit (the base) but it was 15 watts, instead of 10. I purchased it because I could not find a 10 watt bulb anywhere.. Bill warned me on here to be careful, so I check it while I'm using the serger to make sure its not too hot.. so far, its doing fine.. I could not believe that original bulb lasted that long.. My serger is a no-name brand made by Babylock. Purchased very cheaply from Cloth World.

[HeyJudee]

So on the Thurs night I made a trip to my dealer and I bought a new bulb...a halogen...since that is what mine uses and it was $10 Cdn. The next time I used my machine the light was on...and it hasn't gone off since and this is now almost March. So my point...having a spare bulb on hand for when it does burn out is comforting...

I guess I should really have posted this in the "not to bright" posts. Yesterday I went to sew and no light. The bulb had finally burnt out. So I just pulled out my spare bulb and when I went to install it found out...it was the wrong size. DUH...I never even checked after buying it. And I hadn't even kept my receipt. But when I went back to the dealer I took the wrong bulb, as well as my burnt out one, to make sure I get the right one this time. Well the dealer took it back!!! The bulb I needed was only $5...so walked out of the store with my new bulb and money in my pocket! Now I can see to sew...

[sewingmom]

Jusee, I think you have been blessed today.

[DorothyL]

It is the funniest thing. If you read up above you will note I said the bulb in my Pfaff sewing machine had been out for more than a year and I had not bothered to replace it. Well. about a month ago, I turned the machine on as usual and the light came on. It has been working ever since.
Dorothy