Any experience with a Husqvarna 500?

[Kattt]

My sister in law sent me one of her sewing machines to help replace the whole fleet of machines and sergers that burned in the fire.
I have no experience with computerized sewing machines. I do have the manual but I am wondering about a quick setup with the most common stitches just to get started. What is the thickest fabric I can sew; thick denim?? Also curious on what people’s experience is with tension on these machines. I would rather prevent a disaster than having to fix it after the fact.
Thanks.

[Dave @ Oware]

Afraid I don’t know about that model.

When I visited family in Jönköping, Sweden next to the Huskvarna factory they told us about sewing machines that were recovered from 50 years at the bottom of the lake in a cargo ship  that were cleaned, oiled, and still ran. I bet it is a nice machine.

[Kattt]

It sure seems to be a solid little machine. Before I had my Babylocks, which self tension, I always ran into trouble with that so I am being chicken here, afraid to mess it up. I’ll “fire it up” tonight though. The repairs are piling up.

[Mario Caceres]

I hope this helps…

https://www.husqvarnaviking.com/SiteFiles/ClientSite/0f/0f089e62-47f0-48bd-98ae-2a0ef8fab772.pdf

[David Thomas]

My Husqvarnas are models 141 and 350.  I haven’t needed larger than that.

[Michael B]

I too, admittedly, was thinking about chainsaws when this thread popped up.  My local sewing shop, while decidedly a BabyLock and Bernina shop, still has great things to say about the Viking/Husky brand. I know I’ve contributed nothing to this thread except that it looks like a nice machine. I run an old Bernina 707 (call me old fashioned) and so I would be lost with one of those newer machines. If I had to buy new, I’d likely want a Pfaff, since they just look so sweet.

[Kattt]

@Mario thanks! I have a copy as well; was hoping for a shortcut but no such luck ;)

@David lol . I have a Stihl with a 14” that’s plenty for me.

@Michael, I am also more familiar with Babylocks and my first Bernina decades ago. It’s definitely the electronics here that intimidate me; mechanical seems friendlier and less trouble in the end..

[Michael B]

I think for some brands, electronics are no big deal, but I definitely understand the sentiment, which is why I bought a relatively simple, old machine

[Nick Gatel]

Well, the Huskvarna 500 was a rather large motorcross bike, as I preferred the 250cc class.

 

 

However it was much more reliable than my Spanish built Ossa 250.

 

In the end, my Honda Elsinore 250 was the most reliable and cheapest to repair & maintain.

:-)

[Kattt]

Missing my Honda 80

[Kattt]

Both of them :(

[Kattt]

Ehh. Sorry for whining. In the big scheme it’s nothing.
Those are some awesome bikes Nick.

[Kattt]

By the way at the age of 15 I roamed the streets of Florence and the Tuscan countryside in my Aprila 50 enduro just like this one

[Patricia P]

I have a Husqvarna Viking Rose that looks almost identical to your 500. I’d be happy to help with your machine if you still have questions. It’s great for light work, terrible for heavier stuff like denim or multiple layers of any heavy fabrics. You can probably get 2 layers of light denim through it, but nothing more than that. Tension depends on fabric and thread being used for each project. Test swatch everything til your tension sits right, make a note somewhere of your settings, and you’re  good to go next time. It’s a great machine, as long as you’re not trying to go heavy duty with it

[peter v]

opening move ; maybe pull the “hook”, ie : the bobbin carrier device, and, with the fine side of a fingernail emery board, gently stone the point. not to make things pointier, but just to affirm there is nothing like a burr on it from last time somebody bent/broke a needle. those teeny burrs can create all manner of annoyance.

[Terran Terran]

I liked the 360. Not as heavy. Plenty fast.

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