Help! Questions on purchase of SWF

What software are you referring to?

I'd say depending on condition..$800-$1500.

Just a few quick things you can check:

Change colors from 1-6 and back again..A few times. Make sure it changes smoothly. Also, grab the head itself and make sure it's tight. If it's loose and has some play, it needs to be adjusted. Do a few trims.
Look at presser feet. Make sure needles are centered above them. This will give you at least some indication of hoop hits. If needles are off center or the feet themselves look bent or look like they've been bent back into position, they've slammed into something. Which by the way, isn't all that terrible. We all hit hoops once in a while. And other then snapping a reciprocator (which is what it is designed to do) no other real damage comes from hitting hoops. Although i wouldn't want a machine that was abused. Look at the condition of the buttons on the CP. The more they are worn, the more they've been pressed which is an indicator of usage. Make them remove the cover on the power supply. It should be free from dust. If you see a ton of dust in there, it most likely wasn't maintained very well. Listen to it run. It should sound smooth. If the machine is not oiled properly, you will hear it. Keeping the machine dust free and oiled on a regular basis are the 2 most important things you can do to make the machine run forever. Ask the seller if they oiled & did maintenance regularly. im sure they will say yes, but at least it sounds like you know what you're talking about. And if you buy it, I'd spend the extra money to have a tech come out and tune it up. It'll be totally worth it..Trust me...Maybe even have the tech come out and tune it up before you buy it...And maybe ask the seller to knock off half of whatever the tech costs. This way you will know the machine is ready to roll when you get it. And if there are any major issues with the machine, the tech will find them.

Good luck!

Good Luck!

That is a very good price for the machine. It really isn't that old and especially with low usage. I own Swf's and have owned that very same machine and from experience and eing on several SWF forums, in my opinion the older ones have less mechanical issues than the newer ones.

Many times it is operator error, but I am seeing alot of failed parts on the newer machines and I mean major ones like main boards that are very costly to replace or fix.