How to Oil Serger
Oil your serger before and after each use. One of the essential parts of maintaining a serger is oiling it periodically with a sewing machine or serging oil. This will keep the moving parts from seizing up, prevent rust from forming on screws, and keep the thread from sticking to them when they move past one another. How often should you oil a serger? If you are using your serger daily, you should oil it each time you use it. If you are using it only occasionally, it is still recommended that you oil it before and after each use.
Serging is a process that uses multiple needles to create a stitch that is strong and stretchy. This makes it the perfect choice for finishing seams, hems, and edges. Sergers also trim away excess fabric, so they’re great for creating narrow hems and finishes. There are a few different types of sergers, but the most common is the overlock serger. This machine has three to five needles and two or three loopers. The needles create the stitches, while the loopers grab the fabric and feed it through the machine.
While a serger can seem complicated at first, you’ll be able to create beautiful finished projects in no time with the right tools and techniques. In this post, we’ll show you how to oil serger, so it runs smoothly and lasts for years. When Should I Oil My Serger? Many sergers come with an oiling chart that will help you determine how often you should oil your machine. Generally, most sergers need to be oiled after about eight hours of use.
10 Ways on How to Oil Serger
1. Paper Taping
Paper taping is the simplest way to oil your serger. It is more common in lower-end models. Unplug your machine and remove all four bobbins. Tape any exposed thread you see on top of your machine, or anywhere else that you can see. Using the brush attachment on your vacuum, brush off the top and bottom thread guides. Apply a few drops of oil to the points highlighted in your manual.
Now turn on your machine for about three seconds at a time, stopping every one or two seconds to wipe off the excess oil. The oil will be obvious on your paper tape, so you can easily see where you need to put more. Removing the bobbins and taping exposed thread may not be necessary, depending on how much exposed thread you have. Repeat this process every few days, or whenever you notice that your machine is getting stiff. This may sound like a lot of work, but it really only takes about two minutes once you’ve gotten the hang of it.
2. Oil Bottle
Some sergers have a small hole in the throat plate where you can pour oil through to oil your serger. Remove the needle and throat plate, pour some oil into this hole, and replace it. Be careful not to over-oil; excess could drip down into your bobbin area or elsewhere, causing damage.
3. Oil Can
If your serger doesn’t have a hole for oil, you can use an oil can. Unscrew the bobbin case and remove it. Pour a small amount of oil into the hole where the bobbin goes, and then replace the bobbin case. Be careful not to over-oil!
4. In-Hand Oiling
Some sergers allow you to oil through the thread guides as you sew. This is a great way to avoid over-oiling. Make sure that your bobbin case is out, and then turn on your machine for about 3 seconds at a time while guiding the thread through the guide of your choice. Wipe off the oil every time you stop.
5. Oiling the Knife
This is a more advanced way to oil your serger and should only be done if you feel comfortable doing it. The knife is the part of the serger that cuts the fabric, so it’s important to keep it well-oiled.
First, remove the needle and the throat plate. Then, use a small piece of paper or plastic (something that will not scratch) to oil your knife. Next, turn on your machine and guide the plastic/paper through any guides you wish to oil; wipe off the excess after each time.
6. Using Wipes
This is an easy way to oil your serger quickly. There are many different brands of serger wipes, but they all work the same way. First, unplug your machine and remove all four bobbins. Next, open up your wipe and hold it against the thread guides. Turn on your machine for a few seconds at a time, being sure to stop and wipe off the oil after every second or two.
7. Oiling the Bobbin Area
It is commonplace to oil your serger in the bobbin area, as it can be difficult to get to other areas. Make sure that your machine is unplugged and all bobbins are removed. Find the screw on the side of your bobbin case and remove it. Pour a small amount of oil into the hole and replace the screw. Turn your machine on for a few seconds at a time to wipe off excess oil, being careful not to over-oil.
8. Using Serger Lube
This is similar to using wipes, but it’s even easier as you don’t have to open anything up. Remove all four bobbins and pour serger lube into the thread guides. Turn on your machine for a few seconds at a time, being careful to wipe off the oil after every second or two.
9. Oiling the Loopers
Some sergers have removable loopers that can be oiled separately from the machine. Make sure that your machine is unplugged and all bobbins are removed. Find the screws on the side of your loopers and remove them. Pour a small amount of oil into each hole and replace the screws. Turn your machine on for a few seconds at a time to wipe off excess oil, being careful not to over-oil.
10. Oiling the Needle
This is very similar to oiling the knife. Make sure that your machine is unplugged and all bobbins are removed. Find the screw on the side of your throat plate and remove it. Pour a small amount of oil into the hole where the needle goes, being careful not to over-oil or get the oil on the needle itself. Turn on your machine and guide the oil through any guides you wish to oil; wipe off the excess after each time.
11. Oiling the Gears
This is a more advanced way to oil your serger and should only be done if you feel comfortable doing it. The gears power your machine, so it’s important to keep them well-oiled.
First, remove the needle and the throat plate. Then, use a small amount of oil on your fingers to oil the gears. Turn on your machine and guide the gears through any guides you wish to oil; wipe off the excess after each time.
12. Oiling the Belt
The belt powers your machine and should be oiled every 6-12 months. Make sure that your machine is unplugged and all bobbins are removed. Locate the screws on the side of your belt cover and remove them.
Remove the belt cover and pour a small amount of oil onto the belt. Replace the belt cover and turn your machine on for a few seconds at a time to wipe off excess oil, being careful not to over-oil.
13. Lubricating the Screws
Some sergers have screws that need to be kept well-oiled as well. If your machine is a fairly modern one, it will most likely have these types of screws. Remove the needle and throat plate from the top of your machine.
Locate any screws that look like they might need to be oiled. Use a small amount of oil on your fingers to rub the oil onto the screws, careful not to over-oil. These are the screws you will be oiling. Place a small amount of oil on your fingers and rub it onto the screws, then wipe off any excess after each time.
You Can Check It Out To Serge Fabric
Some Tips and Suggestions
1. Disconnect the thread spools to prevent them from unwinding when removing the serger cover.
2. If you have a foot control for your machine, unplug it and set it out of the way so that you don’t accidentally step on it.
3. To help keep things clean, place a drop cloth or some newspapers under the machine.
4. With the cover still off, locate the oil port on the side of the machine. It will be a small hole with a threaded cap.
5. Remove the cap and use a needle-nose plip to insert the oil bottle’s nozzle into the hole. Be careful not to push the nozzle is too far.
6. Turn the bottle over and, while holding a finger on the bottle’s bottom, press down a few times to begin filling the machine with oil until you see some coming out of the port. Then remove oil from both points of the hole and from where it comes out under your finger. Add oil to the machine as needed every few months.
7. When you are finished, re-insert the oil port’s cap. Be sure to replace it tightly to prevent leakage.
8. To avoid staining your cover, put a paper towel under the cover opening before you remove the serger’s needle or thread guides for cleaning or changing serger needles or threads.
Why Should You Oil Serger?
The main reason you should oil your serger is to keep it running smoothly. By oiling the machine, you help reduce friction and heat, damaging the unit over time. Regular oiling can help prevent parts from seizing up or becoming clogged.
The oil you use should be the same as what is recommended for your serger. However, different models will often have different oils. If you are unsure, refer to your owner’s manual for more details on which oil to purchase.
Conclusion:
An oil serger is a machine that can be used to sew and finish seams using an overlock stitch. Following these simple steps will help you get the most out of your investment in this helpful piece of equipment. While you can’t predict when these machines might break down, they will last longer if cared for properly with regular cleaning and proper use.
Oil your serger by following these simple steps to ensure it won’t jam up or seize up during sewing and create an even greater mess than you started with! Remember, if you have any questions or need more information about how to oil serger, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re always happy to answer all of your sewing-related queries.
