Bernina 930 machine question
 

Anyone know the process to add the foot and chip/card(whatever) to make a 930 so when you tap the heel of the foot peddle the needle goes down into the fabric?

I changed machines and this one doesn't have the feature that will allow me to tap the heel and put the needle down with out turning the flywheel.

Appreciate any info thanks

I've had a 930 for ages, and this is the first time I've heard of this option. The needle up thing is the only negative I've encountered about this machine. If someone has positive news about this possibility, I'd welcome it!

Shirley, you would likely have to pay as much as another 930 to alter it to do what you're asking? I've never heard of anyone doing this. Since the parts needed to do this would no longer be made, you'd have to have a donor 930 with the needle down capability. Generally speaking , the 930's that were made with the silver, disc thread cutter on the free arm have the needle down capability. This is what I looked for when I purchased my 930. So, to answer your question, this would not be an easy, cheap or cost effective thing to do. It honestly would be better to buy one with this feature.

Shirley, I have a 930 that I now use as my back-up machine. I purchased it used and when I took it to a dealer for a tune-up, they told me the foot should work as you described....it has never functioned properly for me, and I never pursued it. I am told it is very difficult to get parts for this model...which is too bad because I love that machine! Will be interested to see if someone has some info for you!

Interesting - My mother's 930 has the heel/needle down option and it does have the thread cutter on the arm. Didn't realize that was the identifier. Does any one know a Bernina dealer or repairmen that could answer this. I talked to our area guy and he is supposed to be looking into it but I haven't heard back from him.

Yes, the thread cutter is a good way to determine if the needle up/down is present. I would be very surprised to hear if your tech will tell you differently. I repair them as a hobby, but it's just not cost effective IMHO.

I've been casually shopping for a 930 (or a 910 or 920) and I found this information online:

"If you want the "heel tap, needle up & down" feature, make sure its serial number starts with 24 or 25. Early Bernina 930s do not have any of the heel tap electronics, or the necessary pedal."

THANKS for the update. I was curious trying to locate the info in my manual but couldn't find any reference.

The machine repair person at Nancy's Calico (Patch or Cupboard, I can't remember which) in Newport News, VA, is a premier Bernina service person. He teaches repairman classes all over the US and those who can't repair a machine send them to him. He's very skilled and could likely answer your question. I've used him for 13 years.

Jan in VA

Nancy's Calico Patch [TABLE="class: ts _UQ, width: 100%"]
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[TD]21 Hidenwood Shopping Center, Newport News, VA 23606
<nobr>(757) 596-7397</nobr>[/TD]
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I've had a 930 for over 30 years and have never heard of this.

"You learn something new everyday!" I have owned a Bernina 930 for 27 years. Mine has the needle down option, and until now, I did not know there were machines out there that did not let you tap the peddle to have the needle go down. In fact, that was one of the features that made me decide on a Bernina instead of a Phaff, that and the knee lift, and the perfect tension. The newer Bernina machines, have a button to make it stop in either position.

I have a bernina 930 with a serial number starting 25, it has the silver disc thread cutter on the free arm and the manual says that it has the needle down heel tap feature. However when I do the heel tap on the foot pedal nothing happens. I am wondering if this is something that can be fixed or is it a case that I am doing something wrong. I would love to have this feature work.

My machine is at my dad's house. I am anxious to look at it to look at the distinction and use the needle down feature again. I will check it out and get back to this board.

You have to push down on the heel of your foot. It takes some practice to get it to work. If it's not working, your foot control may have issues or may not be the correct foot control for the machine.

Ok, I am back. My 930 has a silver plate on the wheel and the thread cutter is on the arm. I am so used to the needle down feature that I had to use it and think about how to use it. I don't use my heel, I use the ball of my foot, or if I have shoes on, just the top of my shoe, and lightly tap the left side of the foot pedal right at the edge of it. I hope this helps those that did not know they had the feature. As I said it before, it was one of the deal breakers for me buying a Phaff.

I still can't get it to work so you have got me to thinking that I may not have the correct foot pedal for the machine, or a faulty foot pedal. There is no give for the heel to push the back of the pedal down further, it is already down as far as it can go. I have tried pushing down in other areas of the pedal but I only get a full needle down and up again.

I am thinking about buying a replacement foot pedal, what would I need to look out for to make sure that I buy one that will work for the needle down and not just be the same as the one I already have? Or if my foot pedal is faulty, is it an easy fix? The foot pedal I have is a type 346.

Clare

Before you put any money into it, take it to a Bernina dealer/ repair person. Hopefully you will find one that has been in business long enough to really know the 930. Have them check it out, and if the machine does have the feature have them show you how to do it. It is really hard to explain over the internet. You talk about the back of the pedal, I tap on what I would say would be the front of the pedal. The 930 is considered to be one of the best machines that Bernina has made. I will never sell mine. It is my old friend that I can always count on to run.

Clare, it's not really a tap, but a push. Let me look at my foot control and get back to you, but all the replacement foot controls I see on the net are type 347...

OK, mine is a type 366 and it does the needle down. I would second the advice of finding someone to show you how to do it and making sure you have the correct foot control for your machine.

The needle down heel tap feature was introduced about 1984, during the 930 production period. The "serial number starting with 24 or 25" is generally correct (since 24xxxxxxx indicates a machine built in 1984. However I have a Bernina 910 built in 1983 (serial number 23xxxxxxx) an I DO have the needle up/down. The machine has to have the right internals - and also the right foot control. The foot control for the needle down feature is Type 365 or 366. The foot control before the needle down was added is Type 346 or 347. Of course, you could have the wrong foot control if it was replaced or traded in the meantime. When I bought my 910, it had an generic foot control as the Bernina one had broken (and I negotiated a lower price because of it). When I finally got a Bernina foot control for it I discovered that is had the needle down feature. Lucky I had found a Type 366 foot control.

I am very grateful for the advice about this. I shall now look out for the appropriate number foot pedal and in the meantime I will continue turning the handwheel to position the needle down.

I have become quite adept at stopping my machines with the needle down, including the treadles, so it is counter intuitive to have the needle whipped into the up position every time I stop sewing. I am sure Bernina thought this would be helpful when they decided to add this feature but I can't fathom how!

Clare

I know this is an old thread, but I have had a 930 since new and I bought it because of the needle down feature. It starts with serial number 23 and it has the silver cutter on the arm of the machine.