Serger problem - replacement parts?

Agh. Couldn't have come at a worse time - the needle plate on my serger is broken. I can't afford to buy a whole new one right now. This one's been hobbling for a while, I pushed it to even come this far - but I'm thinking that I might be able to get it working again if I can replace the needle plate, clean it all out and oil it. I only need it working well enough to cut and keep edges from fraying, because all my seams are actually held strong by double straight-stitches.

Anyway, this is a two-parter... 1) Does anyone have a good, reasonably priced but quick, supplier of sewing machine/serger parts? The machine I'm looking for the plate for is a White Speedylock 1600.

2) All you sewing mamas and papas out there - what kind of serger are you using these days? Do you like it? What are your gripes? I'm hoping that sometime this year we'll be able to invest in a nicer machine... Only problem is they mostly jump from the ~$200 range (crappy machines one and all, near as I can tell) up to the ~$1000 or so range, which is way out of my league. Has anyone got a good intermediate step? I want to do some serious shopping around before we settle on anything...

 

Sorry about your serger problems. I got my replacement parts online but I can't for the life of me remember where so I can link you. The parts were affordable, I wouldn't say cheap but I didn't feel like they were taking advantage of me. I have a singer and personally I love it, it does everything I need it to do. I believe it was about 300.00 and I have had it over 3 years and have only had it serviced once. Hope you find a solution to your serger issues. I know how frustrating it can be to be without one

 

Thanks deadthreads! I've been thinking about it, and since we're already so broke (I'll be needing to drum up some orders just to be able to get the needle plate) and this serger's already so f*cked in more ways than that, we might try to finagle a nicer machine after all. I figure, if I can drum up about $200 in orders, we can probably finance the remainder of the cost. I hate doing that, but that way I'll actually end up with a new, nice, working machine (the one my-love's been looking at is around $400 apparently, a low-end huskylock.) AND I won't have to sit around waiting for a part to get shipped to me.

Now, just wish me luck in getting those orders together!

 

Awww. I wish we had the same machines I have an extra plate I would send ya to get ya through. Good luck on your orders- I'll send positive vibes your way

 

Ah, holy crap, I've got a good serger now - the cheapest one Viking/Husqvarna makes. Unfortunately now we're way in debt for it. But it looks like a nice machine, and it's supposed to have a kick-ass warranty on it. So, woo-hoo! Anybody want to buy a White serger in need of a new needle plate and service (which will probably total about $100) for cheap?

 

Yeah for Vikings!!! I loooove my viking serger. Congrats on the new machine

 

Oooh a Viking would be wonderful! I got a brother serger at amazon for $200 after my babylock needed over 200 in repairs The Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger It works good, but I did have a piece get bent, but I just bent it back in shape and it works fine. Congrats on getting the Viking !