Thanks a lot for your links. That's exactly what I have been looking for.
I will order immediately.

Amazon.com refused to send it to DK. Nancy's Notions did not stock it until May 22rd, so I tried Amazon, UK and found it here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Vacuum-Cleaning-Kit-Universal/dp/B000L30DMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=computers&qid=1304333065&sr=8-1

This information to make it easier for my sisters in Europe to get it. Actually this is the best solution for me. They ship it tomorrow and it will be here in no time

Thanks again for your help. It's appreciated

Nancy's notions still has them also: http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/mini+vacuum+attachment+kit.do

That looks like the one I bought years ago from the dealer when I purchased one of my machines.

Norma, maybe you could find something like this in a local office supply or computer store?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BSJCLY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000MVD55E&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=00E6BYFKZD6H1ZTS5RWB

Sewdreamy wrote:
I saw such equipment years ago in a catalog and have ever since regretted that I did not buy it. I have been on the look for it, but not succeeded. Can you tell me where to get it?

kathyst2 wrote:

Thanks Kathy. I will look for the wick next time I clean out my machine. Someone once told me that even though it said no oil, it still needed oil and this might be what they meant.

Yep, blunt is the correct word.

I have a Janome 6600 so I do like kathyst2...a drop of oil in the hole under the bobbincase every week, but if the usermanual say not to oil you should not. I also clean it using a paintbrush, q-tips and vacumcleaner. I had my machine on service for the first time 6 months ago...I sew a LOT, so I was kind of nervous. The serviceman told me it looked like new and it showed I took real good care of my machine. He didnt have to adjust anything even though I do a lot of free motion quilting on it. So keep it clean;) Remember to change the needle too...if sewing a lot the end gets blunt(???? right word?????) and you can damage your machine sewing trough thick layers.
I guess all of us understand your new found love for quilting, it is greate fun isnt it!!! I have to admit I even bought a smaller machine to take with me for our weekly sewingevening because I was scared I would hurt my big baby.

djane wrote:
Diane, I have a Janome 6600, which has a drop in bobbin. If I take the bobbin case out, there is a small hole with what appears to be lint, but is actually a wick. I put a drop of oil on the wick, not with every bobbin change but a couple of times during a project. I take off the throat plate, get out all the lint with a small soft paintbrush, including all that I can reach inside with the paintbrush. Then put one drop of oil and put it back together. (This is what my dealer told me to do). Very occasionally I clean off the shaft above the needle and extremely lightly oil that. I also noticed that one of my free motion feet squeaks after a while and I lightly oil the shaft area of that when it does.
There is a Janome list for 6500,6600 and 7700 owners on Yahoo that has been quite helpful to me in such matters, although most of the list is taken up by "should I buy this machine" chatter.

Kathy

Thanks Debbie and Nancy. I do have a drop in bobbin on my Janome and that might be the difference. I also cannot sew every day because of my job so probably once a year at the service centre is good. It is probably a good idea if I just continue to follow the instructions with my machine.

grannyagnes wrote:

And if you do open those machines to clean them yourself, it will void your warranty!! :shock:

I use pipe cleaners as my my cleaning tool. I cut the longer ones in half and then fold in half. For me that loop is just perfect to fish out all the debris in and around the bobbin area. Now that the machine is broken in I space my oil more by feel and sound rather than every bobbin because the fibers used can also play a part in the whole scheme. My machine hasn't seen a service man for ten years but then it is an industrial machine meant to be a work horse with everything in the open. It is all cast. The only plastic used is in knobs, etc and there is nothing electronic involved. Quite a difference from the machines most people use. Check with the dealer or manufacturer what is recommended for your machine. I know there are brands that semi-annual or annual service is recommended because they are so highly enclosed that the average person can't get at the areas that need the attention.

djane wrote: Debbie, I have a Viking and it is not to be oiled either. I would follow the instructions in your manual. Some machines are self-oiling. I'm not sure if the type of bobbin the machine uses is the reason or not. I do take my machine in for regular yearly visits to the dealer. They clean the machine up really good and oil the parts that need it.

djane wrote:
Hi Diane -

The difference might be in the bobbin setup. One of my friends has a Janome and it has a drop-in bobbin. Is that what you have? I've been told that you don't oil drop-in bobbins.

Nancy