Viking 6370, the 6000 Series

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Viking 6370, the 6000 Series

by Susie M
(Santa Rosa CA)

My husband bought me my Viking 6370 sewing machine in 1983 or 1984. I had been a seamstress since age 15, and was 37 at the time. I had started on my mother's old black Singer. Which sewed beautifully all the time, no zigzag or freearm, just an old workhorse straight stitch machine.

This machine was portable, had a carrying case, removable table to reveal free arm, low gear (never used) and colored cams for fancy stitches, and could do embroidery (which I never used).

I am a plain seamstress, I have mended and taken up many pant hems over the years. I still use this machine but had to take it in to the repair shop in 2009 and they had to replace a gear. That was the first major servicing the machine ever had.

It is not sewing correctly at this time as the tension is off. All the dials are in the correct place but the tension on top is not correct. I don't know how to adjust it, and am afraid to do so. I'm now sewing doll clothes for a business and have to have pristine garments to sell.

I have to take the machine in to a different place, as I don't fully trust the last repair shop, to see if I can get the tension corrected.

I still love to sew on the Viking 6370 sewing machine, it goes through jean material, it a little strain over the inside seams, but with a good 18-20 needle it's not too bad. I recently read about a jean needle, so will try and get one of those and see if it sews even easier. I'm having fun designing one of a kind outfits for 18" dolls.

The machine is old, but still performing pretty good for her age, me too.

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Viking 6370, the 6000 Series

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Mar 23, 2010
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Viking tension
by: Keith

Hello Susie:
I owned a Viking Dealership in Wa state for years and years. You want to adjust your own tension. This is how you do it.
Start with the bobbin case in hand, With a full Bobbin, in it thread it the normal way. Then turn the bobbin case face side in your palm and grab the thread tail and ( the bobbin Case should support it's own weight ) bob the thread up with the bobbin case hanging down it should barely slide when you pull the thread. if not adjust with the large screw barely turn, do not tighten this screw all the way up, it's for adjustment only. then put the bobbin case in the machine and sew a stitch on two layers of cotton (Med weight) the top and the bottom should look the same, if the bottom thread lays straight turn the top thread to a little bigger number until the top and the bottom look the same.
I'll check back on the sight later.

Mar 29, 2010
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viking
by: Anonymous

Well, I have a model #6570. Smoke came out of it when I switched it on. Took it for repair, there is a chip board inside the machine by the on off switch. He couldn't repair needs a new chip board. He couldn't find one. I'm still looking for one on the internet. Called viking, they said you have to talk to a dealer. I called one closest to me in Rocky Mount, she told me well if a repairman couldn't find one we probably don't have one. I said goodby! No help at all!!!!! What service! I love the machine, I guess I will still Have to search. I bought mine in 1979. Anyone out there know where I can get one??????? Kath

Apr 17, 2010
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good old viking
by: Anonymous

I have a 6370 viking sewing machine. I just cleaned it but when I was going to use it, it only sewed backwards and the needle won't go to the center-just to the left. It sews all the cam stitches and zigzags but will not sew forward. Dog feed seems correct. Can anybody give me some advice. It is old but can sew anything.

Aug 08, 2010
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Love my #5370 Viking
by: Shelia Burns

Just read the comments about the old workhorse Viking!! Suzie seems almost paralell to my life.
I have had my machine since about 1980 or so, and it has paid for itself at least 10 times if not lots more. Made all my boys clothes with it, made my own wardrobe with it, did alterations and repairs professionally with it, did costume sewing for our sidesaddle club, and that is only half of my sewing projects. Now I am retired and doing charity sewing and love it.
At the moment my viking is in shop with my valued repair lady and she is trying to get a part for it. Last year a gear let go and it took almost two months to get the part. She told me that parts are getting very hard to find.
Hope this will not be the case this time. I feel like I have lost a arm without my viking. I have another basic new machine to use while my friend is in "hospital" but it cannot compare.
I am making dolls and dollclothes and the fine stitching is not the same calibar!! So good to know that others love their 6370 as much as I do!!

Nov 16, 2010
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Viking model 6370
by: Anonymous

The Viking 6370 is my third sewing machine. Started with a Singer Featherweight portable when I was 18. Moved up to a Singer Slant needle in my mid twenties and in the late 1970's my husband bought me my present Viking which was very expensive at the time.

But it has paid for itself maybe twenty times over!!! It has been a real workhorse, making most of my two boy's clothes, my clothes, dungaree patching, hemming and numerous tailored riding habits, jackets, horse blanket repairs, and canvas projects. I take it in for cleaning and maintenance once a year and have had several parts replaced.

Am told by my repair person that these parts are becoming hard to find!!! This makes me worry and am looking for a back up Viking machine, a model or two years younger, but not computerized!!

I will request that my Viking be buried with me and if that is not possible will will it to the first girl born in our family (NONE FOR FOUR GENERATIONS)! It has been my valued companion through the years and I will not part with it!

Dec 07, 2010
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My viking 6570
by: Anonymous

I have a viking 6570 that my cousin gave me. I dont have the manual. I just spent 300.00 in repair. I knew it was a good machine. she never really used it much so it should have a lot of life in it. It will make the straight stitches. It also makes the zigzag and a buttonhole, but how do make the other stitches listed above my machine? Am i missing something? I used the stitche selector to perform the other stitches but it wont make the different stitches. Can anyone help me?

Jan 14, 2011
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Viking 6370 Sewing Backwards
by: Anonymous

In regard to the comment about the Viking sewing backwards. I was lucky enough to have a friend who let me use her extra sewing machine that happened to be a Viking 6370. I love this machine. My friend said it only goes backwards. I checked it and saw that there were gears or knobs that go in the back missing. I only have one and I don't really know what it does. I just leave it in there. The way I fixed the backwards sewing was to move the stitch selector so that the little notch on it is at about 630.. in other words you move that knob in small increments until it starts going forward instead of backwards. Very strange and I think it has something to do with the back knob.

May 06, 2011
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6680 viking
by: Edith

I have a 6680 that is one of the first computerized machine that Viking made. It will not go in reverse any more or make the patterned stitches anymore. Anyone have any ideas on where or when I could get it repaired. I live in Texas.

Dec 30, 2011
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Oldie but Goodie NEW
by: Grace

I've owned my Viking 6000 series sewing machine for 43 years. It finally died. I've been checking out all the new sewing machines and almost decided on a Singer when I call a local repair shop. "Which brand has the best rep?" I asked. Hands down, it was the Viking. So now I have to decide how much Viking I really need. I'm sorry my oldie died; I loved it.

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