How long should a walking food last?
08-14-2014, 07:56 AM
#31
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,211
My walking foot on one machine kept coming apart as I used it. I ordered another specifically for my my machine. It is not exactly like the original. It works great.
My manual says to not go fast with the walking foot on. I think with the original foot I did go too fast several times. I try now not to go too fast. Slower speed it does sew better. Remembering is my problem.
My manual says to not go fast with the walking foot on. I think with the original foot I did go too fast several times. I try now not to go too fast. Slower speed it does sew better. Remembering is my problem.
08-14-2014, 09:31 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
Originally Posted by Zyngawf
I had to go get a new walking foot for it because my grandmother sewed, but only did hand quilting. At the store they had to go in back and dig for the part and if I want a FMQ foot they have to special order it. My next question is this. Do sewing machines get so old that you finally can't find parts for them?
No Bernina dealer worth their salt will have any trouble at all getting parts, especially feet, for a machine of that vintage. Bernina has 'old' style feet and 'new' style feet. I believe 'new' is post 1996? Anyway, the old ones have black numbers and a round back and the new ones have red numbers and a square back with a notch in it.
As a side note, you'd be wise to get the machine cleaned and serviced before you use it too heavily.
Regarding the other walking foot, if you give us more details, we might be able to narrow down what the problem with it is. What part of it is breaking? Are you loosening the foot pressure before sewing as recommended for most walking feet? If the problem is operator error, it could be transferred to your new, expensive, walking foot and you definitely don't want that to happen.
I have walking feet (brand) for both a Viking (1989) and a Bernina (2001). Both work as well as they did right out of the box.
08-14-2014, 10:20 AM
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hernando FL
Posts: 1,662
Originally Posted by Zyngawf
Well what I finally did was plug in my old, but new to me classic bernina that was my grandmothers. First of all even though its a dinosaur from the 80's this machine is far superior and you can tell right away. I'm all excited about the whole thing. The sad thing is the needle on it was broken and was never replaced. At some point it broke for her and she was done and never said anything to anyone. I had to go get a new walking foot for it because my grandmother sewed, but only did hand quilting. At the store they had to go in back and dig for the part and if I want a FMQ foot they have to special order it. My next question is this. Do sewing machines get so old that you finally can't find parts for them?
Also this walking foot did cost as much as my cheap brother machine, so it better last or I will be upset.
Thank you so much for all your replies.
Also this walking foot did cost as much as my cheap brother machine, so it better last or I will be upset.
Thank you so much for all your replies.
08-14-2014, 10:48 AM
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 219
My backup machine is a 1980's Bernina , model is 1010, that still performs perfectly. They are great machines and you will really enjoy sewing on it. I have the walking foot that is specific to that machine, it was pricey but still working perfectly after all these years....and my dealer can find the parts without any problem. Enjoy it!
08-14-2014, 11:11 AM
#35
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 338
Originally Posted by ghostrider
You don't say what model your Bernina is, nor whether the store you went to is a Bernina dealer, but I certainly wouldn't call a 1980's Bernina a dinosaur, especially within hearing distance of the machine.
No Bernina dealer worth their salt will have any trouble at all getting parts, especially feet, for a machine of that vintage. Bernina has 'old' style feet and 'new' style feet. I believe 'new' is post 1996? Anyway, the old ones have black numbers and a round back and the new ones have red numbers and a square back with a notch in it.
As a side note, you'd be wise to get the machine cleaned and serviced before you use it too heavily.
Regarding the other walking foot, if you give us more details, we might be able to narrow down what the problem with it is. What part of it is breaking? Are you loosening the foot pressure before sewing as recommended for most walking feet? If the problem is operator error, it could be transferred to your new, expensive, walking foot and you definitely don't want that to happen.
I have walking feet (brand) for both a Viking (1989) and a Bernina (2001). Both work as well as they did right out of the box.
No Bernina dealer worth their salt will have any trouble at all getting parts, especially feet, for a machine of that vintage. Bernina has 'old' style feet and 'new' style feet. I believe 'new' is post 1996? Anyway, the old ones have black numbers and a round back and the new ones have red numbers and a square back with a notch in it.
As a side note, you'd be wise to get the machine cleaned and serviced before you use it too heavily.
Regarding the other walking foot, if you give us more details, we might be able to narrow down what the problem with it is. What part of it is breaking? Are you loosening the foot pressure before sewing as recommended for most walking feet? If the problem is operator error, it could be transferred to your new, expensive, walking foot and you definitely don't want that to happen.
I have walking feet (brand) for both a Viking (1989) and a Bernina (2001). Both work as well as they did right out of the box.
08-14-2014, 11:38 AM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: West Texas
Posts: 2,073
I haven't opened up many walking feet, but that is where the moving parts are. I once purchased a Penguin walking foot made for the Singer Featherweight at a garage sale. It did not move correctly, and the problem was that the spring on the inside had detached. Once it was put back in place, it worked. The problem I have had with other walking feet is that the plastic shank eventually breaks. Given the choice, a metal shank is a better buy.
08-14-2014, 11:54 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
Originally Posted by Zyngawf
Do sewing machines get so old that you finally can't find parts for them?
I think availability all depends on how long a particular model of machine lives for. If a lot of the machines like yours are still in good working order 20, 30 or 40 years from now, I can't see why you wouldn't be able to locate replacement parts for it.
08-15-2014, 07:43 AM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 1,649
Originally Posted by bearisgray
The IDT feature of the Pfaffs is worth its weight in gold. I can disengage it when it is not useful/needed. (Models 1471, 1473 - late 1980s)
I can sew backwards or forwards and do decorative stitches with (or without) it being engaged.
I can sew backwards or forwards and do decorative stitches with (or without) it being engaged.
08-15-2014, 08:13 AM
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nawth o' Boston
Posts: 1,879
My first one broke. It was a generic but almost exactly like my Janome. I think I may have been rough with it. (No I did NOT throw it across the room in a fit! But might have wanted to a couple times LOL) The toes/feet part had a welded bit and one of the bits broke off so now it flops loose on one side. Maybe just the pressure of going over seams? Unclear.
I bought a mfgr foot from Janome and it has different open and closed toes which is really nice, and they snap on to the man body of the foot. Slick!
I bought a mfgr foot from Janome and it has different open and closed toes which is really nice, and they snap on to the man body of the foot. Slick!
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