Viking Prisma 980

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Viking Prisma 980

by Esther
(British Columbia, Canada)

I bought my dream machine - the Viking Prisma 980 about 23 years ago. That purchase was the start of a never ending nightmare!

Before I had it 3 months it was refusing to sew. It went to three repairmen before one said this machine has to go back to the factory for repairs.

I had to pay all the shipping and repairs after waiting months to get the machine back. Fancy stitches and embroidery were its special features.

It always broke thread or made rats nests on the underside of the cloth. It never completed anything with out a big mess up.

About 8 years ago I was down to doing just basic mending with it but the electrical system - reostats or some such parts had to be replaced. I had to find and buy a used machine to get parts.

When I got it back after about $400.00 in labour it would only do straight stitch and a small and a larger zigzag stitch.

I am very disappointed with the machine, dealers and repairmen.

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Viking Prisma 980

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Jan 30, 2009
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my same experience
by: Mary

I bought the Prisma 990s in 1989. It was way to much money for a machine that never really did the things it was supposed to do. Messy buttonholes, lots of tension problems, rats nests of thread on underside of the stitches. I have had this machine serviced regularly. Finally I quit sewing for several years. Now I want to sew again and will buy a new machine but I am really confused about what brand and whether or not to seek out all the bells and whistles available on the high end brands.

Sep 17, 2009
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Viking Husqvarna 980
by: grannymimi

I Love to sew... but very disappointed with the machine service and problems AFTER trading in my OLD SINGER thinking and having been told the Viking Husqvarna 980 was the best on the market and this was THE MACHINE to own and enjoy using. Well I assure it it has not been a JOY!

That was nearly twenty years ago... and the viking has been in repairman's shop or my hall closet more times than I care to think about. I did manage to get some drapes made and some hemming and rather simple straight stitching done...along the years my kids were growing up. Not happy when the cartridge for the decorater stitches went out and all I could do was simple zig zag and overcasting.

CALLED THE SAME dealer AND WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER CARDS WERE ALSO OBSOLETE... THIS Granny now GROUCHY for sure...GRRRRRRRRRRR !

Now that I have 3 little grand daughters IT's time to re-evaluate to purchase another machine.
It certainly will not be a Viking... shortly after the purchase the foot pedal showed problems with the contact and no power getting to the machine.

Took it in for service and was told this machine was no longer being made...but the dealer I bought it from who also serviced the machine said he could find me an old pedal and that would do the trick. SO another $100 OUT THE DOOR...AND
serviced by the same dealer I purchased it at... NOT Happy with the fact it was in the shop more than it was in use.

Note I want a machine that is reliable and price really does not matter if the DANG thing works and outlives Mimi.

Granny Mimi
Happy to hear from you and your opinions.

Nov 03, 2009
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I like my Prisma 980
by: Anonymous

Purchased my machine in 1981. Used it to make clothes for my three children. Then it sat for many years and when I retired I decided to start sewing again. I had it serviced and it has been a great machine for me. I had previously had a another make in a cabinet and every time I sewed with it a thread would get stuck in the bobbin case. The bobbin would lock and we would have to have the repairman come to the house ( yes they did that )to fix it - only took a few minutes but something we couldn't do ourselves. Started sewing at a shop and I have problems with the needle coming unthreaded ( the same make as above ) and I wouldn't buy one of my own. Still love my Viking and thought about getting a newer machine but decided to stay with this one as it has been great over the years.

Mar 04, 2010
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Husqvarna 980
by: Tony Marciano

The machine has served us well for over 20 years until lately. The power supply module died.
Interested in purchasing another 980 whos power supply works for use or parts. This message is especially to the people who had bad mechanical experiences. Our machine is mechanically sound.

Tony Marciano
(203) 558-9134

Jul 13, 2010
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1984 Viking 980
by: Charlotte Vaughan

HELP!!!!!

I love my Viking. I have been sewing on it since 1984. It is truly the best.

However; I am finding it difficult to find a part... my exchangeable cassette (prog C) does not work. I would like to replace it. Does anybody know where I can find used parts for this machine?

Sep 06, 2010
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viking 980 for parts
by: Anonymous

hi i will be listing today on ebay a viking 980 nfor parts machine does not come on but is complete my ebay name is kollectorscentral
email toys_n_stuf@yahoo.com

Sep 18, 2010
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Viking 980
by: Tammy

My husband purchased this wonderful sewing machine in 1985. At that time it was the "cream o' the crop", the best out there. Today, the Viking 980 remains a wonderful machine.

My only frustration with this machine is the plastic storage that inserts around the free arm. The hinges are very cheap and fragile but the remainder of the storage compartments are made of sturdy plastic.

I am frustrated that I have to tape the front bobbin door closed to avoid opening when not planned. I cannot find a blanket or applique stitch for this machine either. Otherwise, no complaints.

Oct 07, 2010
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the 980
by: Anonymous

I purchased a Husqvarna 980 at a thrift store for $10. It was missing a cord and foot pedal. I found a parts place on line and ordered them for $164.00 Since I got the machine for so cheap, I went for it. Our sewing shop repair man had it for weeks and couldn't get it to power up. So I took it home. Then I found one on ebay and ordered it. At least it has power. So between the 2 I might get one.Now I'll have a non-working machine for someone for parts. Not sure I want to deal with selling all the parts.

Oct 18, 2010
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Looking for a 980 for parts!
by: Anonymous

If you have broken 980 and would like to get rid of it let me know. My wife's machine is having some issues and I'd like to see if I can fix it...

Thanks,
Bill
wduley (at) hotmail (dot) com

Nov 05, 2010
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Prisma 980
by: Laral

I have been very pleased with my Prisma 980 I have had it since late 95.
I bought it second hand then.
I would like to know if anyone could tell me where I could buy another hand wheel. The plastic interior of the hand wheel inside has disintegrated into about 7 pieces. It is these pieces that have broken off that hold the wheel onto the steel shaft. Without the wheel fixed, the machine does not turn.
So I hope someone out there could help steer me in the right direction.

Dec 29, 2010
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Viking 980
by: Sandra Hersh

I purchased my Viking 980 in 1983. It has been a gem. I did replace the foot pedal once. Recently the power has been functioning improperly. I took it into a Viking dealer and was told that I needed a new circuit board in the tune of $450. I wasn't ready to spend that much money on an old machine, but asked the repairman to leave the machine disassembled. My husband re-soldered a loose connection and the machine is working like a charm!

As a Christmas 2010 gift, I received a brand new Viking Sapphire 835 and am looking forward to many more years of sewing with this new machine. I did not trade in the 980, but am keeping that as a spare at our summer cottage for sewing on rainy days. I love my Viking!

Dec 30, 2010
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My sometimes frustrating machine
by: Linda

I got my wonderful new machine in 1981 or 82. I used it a lot for making dresses for my little girl and Stretch and Sew shirts for my son. After a few years, I kindof got away from sewing because I got annoyed because my machine would not come on. You had to let it sit for awhile. When we moved back to Oregon, I took it in for repair and cleaning. It still didn't work. Unfortunately, I didn't take it back to where I had had the work done. Now, years later, I tried it and it doesn't do that any more. What I need is a manual because I don't remember how to do everything on it! :-( Anyone have one they want to part with?

Dec 30, 2010
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Backwards
by: Linda

How do you make the machine go backwards? The book doesn't tell me and I can't remember its been so long.

Jan 01, 2011
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Manual
by: Anonymous

Linda,
If you need a manual, you could drop me an e-mail and I could send you a copy.
Roger
hflier@comcast.net

Mar 09, 2011
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I thought it was just my machine!
by: Eileen

I sew daily and of late the power is hit and miss. I can't believe all of these machines seem to have the same problem. After the last time I took it in to get it cleaned my electical cord has had something liquid on it every time I pull it out. Did the repair guy put oil in there??
I think I will have my husband take it apart and look at it. At this rate I have nothing to lose! When I go to get a new machine I will rethink what brand I will look into!

Mar 09, 2011
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Solder pc board
by: Anonymous

Eileen,
Have your husband take the bottom off of the transformer.
You almost certainly have a bad solder joint on the pc board where the power connector is soldered to the pc board. Look very carefully at the 4 connections on the pc board where the connector is connected to the board. My guess is that one or more of these connections will have broken loose from the board.
Simply take a soldering iron, reheat the connections, add more solder and resolder the connections. It will be good for another 20 years.

Mar 10, 2011
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Viking 980
by: Tammy

My husband purchased my Viking Prisma 980 back in 1986. I call this machine my "Work Horse" because it NEVER lets me down. I thought I needed the latest and greatest new Viking 870 Quilting machine and it was a dog. I sold it! I will never give up or sell my 980.

It has never let me down and it keeps on sewing like a champ. Best machine out there!! As for Viking...I will never purchase another Viking machine. When we purchased my Viking 980, it was made in Sweden.

The newer Viking machines are made in China and are horrible with nothing but problems. My only concern is that it is difficult to find old parts for my 980.

Mar 21, 2011
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Husqvarna Prisma 980
by: Eileen

A few months ago I begin to have electrical problems. The Husqvarna Prisma 980 machine would work hit and miss and I kept finding oil on the plug-in. Finally the machine just stopped sewing.

The plug in cord keep making a crackling noise and when I played with it I could get the machine to work at times. My husband was able to make the silver prongs that come out of the machine and plug into the plug-in move, which he stated you should not be able to move around.

My husband took the black box off the bottom of the machine. What we found was that the solder on the plug ins was not a good solder. He re-soldered all of the connections and now my Husqvarna Prisma 980 machine works like new! If you are having these electrical problems find a small engine repair person and have them look at it. It is an easy repair and does not require a lot of work. The entire process took less then 30 minutes.

Also make sure that if you have repairs done they DO NOT lubricate the machine. When we opened mine I found that the last shop to work on it had put lots and lots of machine lubricant on it. The instruction manual clearly states that no lubricant is needed. Hopes this helps all of you with the electrical problems I have read on this site.

Jun 04, 2011
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Got one for sale
by: Janet

I have a cabinet model and felt I didn't have room for it anymore. Since I retired, I planned on doing more sewing and have always heard from everyone that the Viking 980 is the very best. So after searching for a portable one in the area, I found one. But now I have enough room for my cabinet model so I don't need the portable Viking. It works great but I dont need two machines and I prefer the cabinet model. If anyone wants to buy my portable, it's a great deal at $300. Or make me an offer.

Jun 04, 2011
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Viking 980
by: Eileen

The problem with the power on this machine is that they were not sodered properly. You have to remove the panel and power board in the bottom of the machine. When my husband took mine apart he resodered the connections that the foot pedal plugs into and I have not had a problem since then.
Most repair shops are only there to try and sell you a new machine. Get someone who is handy with small machines. And DO NOT LET THEM PUT ANY TYPE OF MACHINE OIL ON OR IN YOUR MACHINE!!

Dec 31, 2011
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Prisma 980 NEW
by: Anonymous

I have had this machine since 1984. It still works perfectly and has never been in for a service!
The only problem I have continued to have since day 1 is that the buttonhole maker is unreliable when set for multiple buttonholes that are the same length. It sews different lengths on each side of the buttonhole. Apart from that, this machine has been fabulous and has been used a lot over the years.

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