Help me Bernina people!
 

I picked up a Bernina Record 830 in what appears to be a Bernina cabinet yesterday at Goodwill, for $50. A steal, right?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]519715[/ATTACH]The machine is bolted in, and can rotate sideways and down to be covered by that nice wooden insert on the right. It also came with a wooden table extension, but it doesn't fit quite right.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]519716[/ATTACH] We may be able to fiddle with the little brackets holding it up to get it to the right position.

The machine had a light coating of greasy dirt, as though it had sat in a garage for some time. On the inside:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]519717[/ATTACH]Not too bad on top.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]519718[/ATTACH] Wow! Lots of fuzzies!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]519719[/ATTACH] I cleaned it, oiled it, and plugged it in. The light turned on. The motor purred.

Then I added thread, a needle, and some fabric. Perfect straight stitches.

Switched to zigzag mode: perfect straight stitches.

Switched to decorative mode: perfect straight stitches!

Help! Something is not connected, I think, but I don't know what it is! Have any of you run into this before? I have two other 830's, and both do the zigzag and the deco stitch. I'd like to fix this myself if I can, because once I take it to the OSMG, it's not such a great deal anymore.

Also - is the cabinet a plus or a minus in this case? I plan to Craigslist it eventually. It didn't come with the red carrying case, or with any extra feet (just 000) although it does have the metal extension table and could perfectly well sit on any kind of table. I'm thinking about keeping the cabinet because it is somewhat awesome, but it's also very heavy and will take up a fair amount of space. Needs some cleaning and touching up, as well.

Ok, sorry that was so long, hope I gave enough info for somebody to help me! Thanks!!

The stitch selector is probably gummed up. When you flip the lever, the part below it should rock side to side, and the lever should snap loudly into position. If it isn't, you need to un-gum it. I'm talking about the lever to the right of the one in the third picture. I personally use WD-40 on this part at least every week at work, and it works awesome. I know using WD-40 offends some people, but I have never had it make things worse or have it hurt anything. However, you want to blow it out with an air compressor, or a full can of canned air. I have a blog post about how to do it, but can't post it on here, or it will just get deleted.

Yes! You did get a screamin' deal! And the camstack gear looks good. Keep the cabinet, and you'll still get $300 -- $400 for the machine by itself.

Annette - can you send me a link to your blog post? I think it would be very helpful! I will look (tomorrow ) at one of the other 830's to see how that lever snaps into position. I love these guys - they just purr!

I've had that happen with my Dressmaker. The plastic gear that drives the zigzag mechanism apparently broke and was removed. :-(
Didn't realize this until it was too late to return it.

Great deal! I have my DM's 830 and love it. It's my back-up.

Pop the top open again, and check the plastic gear on the cam assembly. Mine is broken and missing a large portion of the plastic. Yours may just having a crack in it, allowing the center to free-wheel around inside.

CD in Oklahoma

CD, ouch, I know that's an expensive repair! Will check the possibility of the gummed up lever first and see if that solves the problem.

Congratulations Margaret, you did get a great deal. :) I love my Bernina Record 830. I bought it brand new and it will never leave me.

Good luck with this Bernina. I have the 1530 and just had it in for cleaning service. Can't even begin to count how many quilts this Bernina has quilted for me. I adore the cabinet. What wonderful storage compartments.

You got a great deal! I hope it's just gummed up and not broken. I like the desk too. I don't think it's possible to have too much storage near your sewing machine.
Rodney