Bernina 730 Record.
 

I got a Bernina 730 record off CL recently. My sis picked it up for me and I'll get my fingers on it soon! My question is, do I need special needles for it? All it came with is one pressed foot and the foor pedal. What other feet are truly needed? With as much as these cost, I don't want to waste $ on something I'll never use.

No special needles. You'd probably enjoy a 1/4" foot, walking foot and darning/free motion foot. All can be purchased from a Bernina dealer. I'd advise against generic feet. The genuine feet are expensive but last forever.

That is a wonderful vintage machine. Lucky you!!!

These are great machines, I have my original machine. It is a Bernina 830 Record that I bought in 1972 for $350. It was a lot of money for a nursing student. I still use and love that machine, although I use my Bernina 440 QE mostly. A word of advice: only use original Bernina bobbins and feet, you will have better results. They cost a wee bit more but are worth it. Congratulations.

Generic feet won't fit a Bernina unless they have the special adapter and probably won't really fit well. I bought an Aiphasew walking foot for my 830 Record as it was only $50 as the Bernina one was $129 here in Canada. The Alphsew knock off broke after about a year's use. You may be able to pick up used feet on Craig's List (Kijiji here in Canada) or from someone who wants to sell in your area. I bought extra feet from a lady who had inherited a box of feet but had no machine. She was very happy to get my $20 and I didn't tell her how much the Bernina dealer sell those feet for.

[QUOTE=quilter1;5611606]These are great machines, I have my original machine. It is a Bernina 830 Record that I bought in 1972 for $350.

I had a chance to get an 830 Record last month for $500. Turned it down and got a new Pfaff instead. Kicking myself now, because I think I would have been happier with the Bernina than the Pfaff. When this one came up on CL I couldn't pass it up! Especially for $50!!

Thanks for the tips about the generic feet. I was considering it, but think I'll go with the genuine ones instead!