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12 
Member since 5/18/05
Posts: 230
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Posted on: 5/13/11 3:47 PM ET
Would you pay $250 for this machine? Only one pattern card would be included, plus 8 feet, plus a 5" x 4" hoop, plus the manual. The seller stated that an "additional attachment would have to be purchased to convert it to embroidery"…I'm not familiar, so I'm not sure yet what that means.

From what I've seen on the reviews, it supposedly makes great buttonholes, and I also like the omni-directional features, and I believe you can re-thread the bobbin while sewing a current project. Other than that, I don't NEEEEEEED another machine, I just think it sounds like a good one to add to the SMAD collection for these features.

Are parts and accessories still available? Are they very pricey? I do not do lots of embroidery, I just putter with it once in a while to embellish tees. I'm hoping some current owners can give me their advice. Thanks much !!! in advance. Jane
  
Member since 3/24/10
Posts: 1949
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Posted on: 5/13/11 4:39 PM ET
I wouldn't.
They're no longer made by Viking, which means the parts aren't going to be easy to come by.
But people do seem to like them, so who knows?

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http://www.acdc-vintage.com
This one, that one, and a bunch of other ones!
(though the herd is getting more streamlined)
  
Member since 1/4/08
Posts: 6167
Body Type:
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Posted on: 5/13/11 4:55 PM ET
I bought a used #1+ over 10 years ago because I wanted to do embroidery. Never used it much because it was too much trouble to embroider with and had to use special software at $150 per design pack. It is my understanding that the #1+ does have an embroidery unit but the #1 does not. I now have this machine, plus a Diamond, and a Computerized 400. I take the 400 to church craft meetings and use the Diamond for classes at my dealer's. The #1+ is my main sewing machine for straight sewing. The embroidery is so much nicer on my Diamond -- once when my Diamond's sensor went out, I had to finish a project on the #1+ and there was no comparison on the embroidery.

If my #1+ ever goes out, I will look around for another one. This one has sewn hundreds of garments and has had virtually no repairs. It is practically indestructible. I keep it set up and often use it even when my Diamond is set up. I tend to leave my Diamond packed up to take to class and only pull it out for embroidery. No reason because I am very happy with the way it sews, just easier to use what is already set up. As far as if I would recommend that you purchase one, it depends on whether or not you want to risk it going out. Mine was originally purchased in 1992 and I got it around 1998, I think. I have sewn everything from very light weight knits and wovens to multiple layers of denim on it. I would choose it over the Sapphires and some of the other inexpensive Vikings.
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Yards sewed 2018--301 yards
Goal for 2020 - 400 yards --- Made it --sewed 400.76 yards. I have no idea about how many yards I have in my inventory.
2021 --200.125 yards
2022-- no specific number---Just redo inventory and sew more than 2021



Machines: Designer Diamond, #1+ (2), H Class 100Q, Viking 400, Baby Lock Creative Pro -- Sergers: Viking 936, Babylock Accolade, Babylock Vibrant, Singer Coverstitch
  
Member since 5/27/09
Posts: 1175
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Posted on: 5/13/11 9:11 PM ET
My first & only TOL is the Viking #1+. Bought it new. Can't embroider anymore as my software is too old... have to find a technie to help me w/ my old designs (old computer doesn't have a CD writer). Don't want to shell out megabucks for the latest Viking software.

Absolutely love that machine. Love the directional sewing.... it has soo many features. And it's heavy for a Viking. If I could find a #1 for 250 I would jump.... just for the parts.

The amazing thing about the embroidery... I have embroidered dish towels that I've used for 13 yrs. or so & they get alot of washing. Yet the embroidery is still awesome.
  
Member since 6/27/03
Posts: 3742
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Posted on: 5/13/11 9:20 PM ET
In reply to HeyJane
I'd call your local Viking dealer to see if parts are still available and for how long. A mother-board can be very expensive. The embroidery aspects of it are going to prob cost some extra to get everything compatible between the machine and your current computer. At $250, I'd be more interested in it for the excellent sewing features and prob not even use the embroidery unit unless there are some built-in fonts or designs you like. If Viking was still the company it was when this machine was made, parts wouldn't be a problem but under SVP, its a different story so confirm with a dealer or two to be sure you can get some extended mileage from it.
  
Member since 10/8/02
Posts: 679
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Posted on: 5/13/11 9:29 PM ET
I agree with everyone else that this machine is a work horse. Like the others I think you have to check on the availabiity of parts. Sounds like you didn't get the embroidery unit and that is probably just as well. If you can get this machine fixed you will love it and $250 sounds good, although you might want to take a peak on ebay and see what they are selling for. Let us know what you decide.
  
Member since 5/18/05
Posts: 230
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Posted on: 5/14/11 2:07 PM ET
Well first of all, thanks everyone for all this great information!

I called a local shop and spoke to the repair person. He said you can still get parts but he is seeing a lot of these machines now have the head/needle bar assembly wearing out, which is $400 or $500. Motherboard replacement would be $300 to $500. Supposedly the machine still has a book value of $900, but he thought that was a high estimate.

I've pretty much bailed on purchasing it since the seller has another potential buyer anyway…….I was not feeling comfortable about what appears to be some missing accessories and software…not that I wouldn't be willing to purchase them, but they might not even be available anymore. The dealer mentioned a couple items that should have been included originally with the machine, and it sounds like maybe they're just lost. I think I would still buy one of these machines if I saw one that I could test and make a judgment on in person. I just didn't feel comfortable with this particular one.

The dealer mentioned that they held a jacket class working with chenille, and all the Viking machines "had issues"…so his opinion was that they were not good on heavy work. He said in the beginning the Viking machines were excellent on heavy things but not lightweight fabrics, then it completely turned around and they became good on light fabrics but not heavy. I'm just wondering that almost any machine has a little bit of a challenge with thick chenille anyway, aside from a true industrial?

Soooooo, thanks again for all the info !! If I see one in the future, I will be well informed to make the decision. It does sound like a nice machine.


  
Member since 12/3/09
Posts: 982
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Posted on: 5/14/11 3:00 PM ET
My wife has the 1250/Orchidea/# 1 +
She loves it. She rarely uses any of the six cards she has except for the basic card. She used the emroiderer maybe once or twice. My Designer 1 is easier to use for embroidery. I personally would pay $ 250.00 but, you must make a thorough examination. I have no way of knowing what kind of shape it is really in. It's a great, strong machine, but don't you really want IDT ? Bert
  
Member since 10/8/02
Posts: 679
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Posted on: 5/14/11 5:52 PM ET
Have to disagree with the repair person who said the Vikings aren't good on heavy material. I've on my 4th viking and have never had a problem with very heavy or very light fabric.
  
Member since 5/18/05
Posts: 230
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Posted on: 5/14/11 7:56 PM ET
In reply to Bert62
Quote: Bert62
don't you really want IDT ?

YES ! Now I'm confused again....which machines/models have IDT?
  
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