Viking 6000 series sewing machines

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Viking 6000 series sewing machines

by Alice McFarland
(La Pine OR (US))

My 1st Viking 6000 series sewing machine was a 6440 & have used it ever since. A few yrs later i decided to have it serviced even though i had no problems with it.

We didn't have a viking dealer so took it to a local shop. When i got it back it didn't sew right so i took it back. The second time it didn't even sew. i put it aside & went out to buy another machine ( this time a New top of the line Newhome)in talking to a friend she told me about a great viking repair guy.

I took my Viking to him & he fixed it so well I never used the Newhome that i had only made 2 outfits on. Nothing against Newhomes as i gave it to my daughter & her children are still using it. Anyway I bought a Viking #1+ when they came out (I think about 96)

It also a great machine & my problem wasn't with the Machine but with Viking themselves. I lived in SO Cal. & was in Oregon visiting family when i decided to purchase it.

Not too computer savvy when i got home I went to the local Viking dealer to get help with the reader writer & how you program your own designs from internet Etc. They ask me if i bought it from them & when i said NO they said they only work with people that purchased from them I had planned on buy other designs & products from them but just left because of there attitude.

I then called Viking & they said Well its to bad but some of our dealers do have that attitude. I will never buy another NEW Viking but will possibly buy one from Ebay I did buy a 6570 a couple wks ago. also found a 6360 @ a yd sale for $10.00. It had been dropped but i repaired it, so it works.

I use my Viking 6440 & also have a 6460 from a swap meet for $20.00 & paid $100.00 for the repair. I have found when they sit unused for yrs they can freeze up. I now use that one as an example when i need to repair any of my Viking 6000 series as they are all basically the same.

I decided to use my garage as a sewing room & put an add in the paper for "FREE SEWING LESSONS" that way all 4 of the machines are the same. feet, cams bobbins etc. with 2 over-locks & one industrial machine I am all set. I call them my work horses as them seem indestructible. (my #1+ i keep for myself.)

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Viking 6000 series sewing machines

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Sep 19, 2010
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Good For You on Free Lessons
by: Cathy L/AZ

I live in the "sticks" with lessons offered at Bernina stores an 1 hour away with them stating it will cost me to have lessons or instructions on my machine that I did not purchase at their store. I too have had to learn my machine on my own or with the help of a friend. I also think the same as you, the dealers attitudes suck. Again though there are good ones but are few and far between. You should charge a small fee for your knowledge. I have found that when you don't charge a small fee, you have a small turn out because the attitude is nothing is free in life so how much could you get for free. It's nice that you want to offer the classes for free but people will be people. It does cost you something for teaching the class, handouts if you have them, special supplies, electric and refreshments if you have them. Been there Done that. Even if you charge $10. for and hour is cheaper than going to a "store" for the lessons. Good luck with your project.

Sep 29, 2010
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Cathy L/AZ
by: Alice McFarland

You are probably right about charging something for the sewing lessons. My thought is. we are a small area with not much going here. There are a lot of retired people & many, many volunteers. I do the mending & altering for a couple assisted living homes here. when i looked @ the classes for summer in our local paper There was 1 computer class in excel l & that was it. Sounding cities 30 mi + had quite a few so I wanted to help the school kids have something to do & have some skills here in our area. We have a Community Kitchen her that is really busy, lots have lost there homes, I am so blessed with boxes & boxes of fabric & sewing supplies & now have 5 Viking sewing machines as well & the 2 overlocks & one industrial & I don't need the money. The one thing as a free service I can run the add continuously free. Where if i charge i will have to pay & am not sure it is worth it. I will have to rethink this. Thank you for the comment.

Oct 15, 2010
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Viking 6440
by: Jeanne

The Viking 6440 sewing machine was my mothers day gift, 1967. I've made clothes with it. Curtains, now I'm making quilts for Ronald McDonald Camp for Good Times.

A few years ago, it stopped sewing forward so I took it in to be repaired. It got a good cleaning, and sews forward again. It wasn't until a few week ago that it started going backwards. That's when I discovered that I had left it set on the setting dot. It sews fine when I put it back on the st. stitch.

What a dumb thing, I should have thought of that years ago. Anyway I love the old brown/cream baby, it's like my mom, a tough old swede!

Oct 15, 2010
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Viking 6440
by: Alice McFarland

AMEN !!! JEANNE

Dec 20, 2010
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I have owned several Viking
by: Anonymous

I am the original owner of the 6010, 6020 and the viking 1+. I learned to sew on a singer treadle and I also own other machines and you can't beat these Vikings for the work they will do. They will sew through virtually anything. I have upholstered boat chairs, sitting chairs with heavy vinyl and sewn up leather. There isn't any type of fabric these machines won't plow through with good stitches.

I learned to clean and maintain all of them myself and when my Viking 1+ electronics went out I ordered the very expensive power unit from an a dealer who was willing to sell me the unit without me having to bring the unit to him... which is never done because of strict Viking rules... you are absolutely forbidden to do this for yourself. The power unit sits at the bottom(you have to take the bottom plate off and it just plugs in and you are good to go... you don't need a rocket scientist to do this however Viking company absolutely refuses to allow the general public to order parts and put them in themselves and that is okay IF and only IF they had good customer service and they DO NOT!!! It is the very poorest service on this planet!

I have even discovered most dealers are not nice people when it comes to repair work. If they don't do the work themselves at their shop you may never see your machine again... they all have to order the parts just like you and I would have to and the part may or may not come for MONTHS so the viking people/store has to keep making excuses as to why your machine isn't ready. The viking company keeps a very tight reign on their own authorized dealers... and if the part they need has to be ordered from the supply house OMG... good luck with that.

For that reason I have had it up to my eyeballs in the 'run around' with the company or anything to do with getting a part from Sweden or where ever the parts come from. I am going to switch to a different company. I have a very nice Babylock serger (the 8 thread) and I probably will stay with them for my next top of the line electronic sewing machine or switch to a top of the line Brother.

Viking company wastes my time and energy when I seldom need their help but they have been this way since they began selling their sewing machines. I am shocked that they are still in business. Normally you will go a lifetime without ever needing a major part or any part for their machine but when you do you will discover then just what everyone has been saying throughout the internet on sewing boards... there is no customer service with the Viking.

Dec 20, 2010
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Viking 6000 series sewing machines
by: Anonymous

I agree with you totally. The only reason they have stayed in business is that they have a good product. Or @ least did. I also have the #1+ but haven't had any trouble with it. The only problem i have is that I had to keep my old 98 computer for the embroidery, & in my move when we retired I lost one of the floppy's to put the program in the computer & viking said we can't get those anymore so if it ever crashes I will loose that embroidery part.

Dec 31, 2010
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Copy the program...you shouldn't lose it..
by: Anonymous

Hi was just looking at the reviews and saw your comment about losing the floppy disc that had the install program on it. In the days computers used floppy discs it was quite common for the install program just to copy the program to the computer, the install was often just creating a short cut.
My advice would be to copy the directory with the sewing machine files and put onto your new computer. It may run..
Ok there are lots of reasons why it won't. But anyone who is computer savvy will be able to copy the file and set it up for you. Mmm getting hold of a floppy disc maybe problematic :)
those early software programs for sewing machines were not too complex so the is a very good chance that just copying the directory will work. Btw once you have copied the directory onto your current computer just make a shortcut to the program file and try running it. If no luck try running in compatibilty mode, and choose the operating system of your old computer. Don't forget to set it to be in 256 colours as that was typical of computers 10-15 yes ago that often prevents old programs from running. Graham

Dec 31, 2010
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Viking 6000 series sewing machines
by: Alice McFarland

Thank you so much, i am pretty computer illiterate but i copied this down & can probably find someone in our little town that understands. They also made the program on a CD (but i got the floppy)& I found a lady that has the CD but she is afraid if i try to copy the CD, It might destroy it. I just don't understand why Viking doesn't have the capability of making floppies for there machines. I would even send them the blank. :>) This is for the Viking #1+ I know it is 10 yrs old or more but it was $4,000.00.

Jan 01, 2011
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Cdroms
by: Graham

Hi Alice, there is absolutely no way that you can damage the CDROM by copying it, it just reads it, copies the program to the hard drive then will prompt you to remove the original cd and put a blank CDROM in. You could give the lady a blank cd rom It'll only cost 30cents or so, 10p in the uk.
Re Viking making the floppy disks I'm afraid floppy disks have gone the way of cassette recorders and been replaced by USB drives cdroms dvds etc.
software goes out of date So quickly think of all your kids sega and nintendos.
your best way is to convince your colleague to get a copy done of that original cd done then copy a spare for yourself as a backup. Perhaps think bribery and corruption to convince her to get you a copy :)
Viking may. .... Have a copy of the software to download but very unlikely.
Good luck Graham

Jan 01, 2011
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Viking software?
by: Anonymous

You may want to check out this page I've no idea what the software is called. See if any of these downloads make any sense
http://www.husqvarnastudio.co.uk/updates.html#designerupdates
I noticed there was a floppy version there
Alternatively just google the name of your software with the word support or download afterwards
Eg viking designer support
Viking Designer download
You may strike lucky

Jan 02, 2011
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Viking 6000 series sewing machines
by: Anonymous

Thank you I will.

Jan 18, 2011
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NO HUSQVARNA
by: Kathryn

OK it sounds like I should look into a different brand of machine. I have always used singers and have no problem getting them serviced. I hate cranky bitter service people!

Jan 25, 2011
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6440 dream machine
by: Steve B

I am looking for a gear (part# 41 10 856-01) want to keep this great machine in service. Can anyone help?

Jan 25, 2011
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viking 6440 gear
by: Alice McFarland

Husqvarna Viking - Get great deals for Husqvarna Viking on eBay! right now ebay has 34 pages on viking & a lot of them are just parts. i don't know if any of them are the right one but its worth a try. Some of those that sell on ebay have a place to e-mail them a question.

Mar 30, 2012
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6440 dream machine NEW
by: Steve B

I too am extremely pleased with this machine that we have since new. There is nothing like it! It has recently developed a problem in that there is a ever so slight zigzag when set on straight and the needle is off center slightly to the right. It has been thoroughly cleaned and adjust by a factory tech who told me it needs a part #41 10 856-01. Can any one help me? I do not want to give up this machine. THANKS.

Apr 01, 2012
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6440 viking needing a part NEW
by: Alice McFarland

i have (5) 6000 series viking, 2 of them i can use 4 parts so will check & see if i can find the part on it u need & will get back to U. But of coarse they r used parts.

Apr 07, 2012
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6000 parts NEW
by: Steve B

Thank you Alice, any help will be appreciated. I will check Amazon and E-bay.

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