Kenmore machine-can't even turn the wheel: not worth the repair costs?

[shelleibean]

I have a lovely Kenmore, almost 10 years old, model 385. Today, I though maybe it was making a slightly different noise but couldn't really hear a difference and thought maybe i was imagining it. Not long after, it stopped mid-stitch. I got it going again but only a about an inch longer and then nothing.  I couldn't even manually move the needle with the wheel.  I took the cover off to look at what wasn't moving, realized that I'm not a sewing machine mechanic and called sears. Unfortunately, the dept. i need to speak with isn't open on sunday.  Then I thought I would look online, to see if I could get either info on how I could fix it myself of more info on how big of a repair it could be. Since the only information I found advised things like cleaning the bobbin casing and what have you- I'm starting to think that maybe I could buy a new machine for what the repair will cost.
Does anyone have an advice? Or maybe links to better diy repair sites than what I found?
 

[Sew-Classic]

Often a local repair shop will give you a free estimate of the repairs needed.  If it hasn't been serviced in 10 years, it might just need some oil internally.

Also, did you check to see if you have any thread bits stuck in the bobbin area?

Take out the bobbin case, and clean in that area as per the instructions in your manual. It's possible that all you have is some thread nests or wads in there.  If so, here is why that happened andwhat you can do about it.
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/09/27/thread-nests-and-wads-on-the-underside-how-to-fix-it.aspx

-Jenny

[shelleibean]

Oh- if only it were that simple! It's some kind of cam or drive shaft- i took it as far apart as I felt comfortable,
I'm going to take it up to sears to have it looked at, but also search around for a good deal on new one just in case it costs way too much to have it repaired/serviced.
Thanks though!

[Sew-Classic]

Sears is going to quote you about $80 to look at it, that is why I suggested a local shop.  After 10 years, pretty much eveything but the frame is out of warranty. 

Since there are so many inexpensive, new sewing machines on the market these days, many people don't ever have their machine professionally maintained, serviced or repaired.  They just look at it as a disposable item.  And getting the covers off of many of the new machines just to service them can be much like solving a Rubik's cube puzzle block, especially for the average owner. I often wonder if this is intentional on the part of the designers.

I hope you get it all sorted out.

[SpottedFrog]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOO!!!

This is the one time I will say even though it's a Kenmore DO NOT take it to Sears. Take it to a sewing machine repair shop. The Sears service folks really only stay up to date on pretty new stuff and large appliances, sewing machines often get sent out (i.e. will be out of your hands for months) and their base price is very high.

Washer? Sears. Lawn Mower? Sears. Patio set? Sears. Vacuum cleaner or sewing machine? go local.

[shelleibean]

Iw as going to take it to sears b/c i bought it there and there are no other options here. Since i first posted about my probelme I have found several repair shops in PIttsburgh, only about 70 miles from me and home friends I'm always trying to find excuses to visit. So I figure I'll tak it up there in the next few weeks and cross my fingers that I win the sew like a pro sweepstakes.
Thanks y'all