What shall I do re:broken Bernina 1260? Is it a good model?
 

I have a Bernina Nova 900 and a Bernina 1020 - I love them both but it is mostly for sentimental reasons with the nova.

I needed accessories for my 1020 and an auction had a full set of feet, a walking foot, knee control and an extension table (as well as some other accessories, so I was happy to pay the offer of $300 NZ for the lot. The seller said that the machine only works sometimes and she had been told it needs a new board. I checked with my dealer and he said it could cost $600 NZ!

I was interested in hearing from people who know the 1260 model whether it is worth having, given that my other 2 machines are mechanical. Is it a really good machine? I have just started to learn quilting, but don't know how much of an improvement this model would be upon my other ones. I also don't know what the value is of a refurbished 1260 if I were buying one - they don't seem to come up for sale often.

Trying to weigh up the pros and cons.

thanks!

This is a difficult decision. My friend who has a 1260 and I have a Bernina 1030 and a 1530. I love them both. I have only had minor problems with them. I do worry about the board going out in my 1530. I would make certain that the tech who examined it could NOT find any additional problems with the Bernina before proceeding. Good luck and welcome to the board.

I paid $450 for a used 1260 from a quilt shop two years ago. $600 is about the cost of one in good condition. If it only needs a new board then it should last you for many years.

Oh the 1260 should have two plastic stitch selection plates. You need those. One is probably on the machine.

On a computerized machine the boards are very expensive. More so on an older one as they don't make them anymore so they have to be sent in to be repaired.

Your 900 and 1020 are not mechanical. There are electronics in both of them. I've repaired several 900s with bad electronics and the 1020 has even more than the 900...

I would likely pass on spending this much to repair a board on the 1260.

I had to have the motherboard replaced on a 1530 four years ago. It cost me almost $400.00. Well worth it though. That machine is a real workhorse.

I think the 1260 is the last of the electronic machines that have metal parts. Something like that. I would have it looked at, it may not be the board but something minor.

I have a 1260. It's 20 years old. I have never had a problem and it is a workhorse. I will never give it up.