Bernina Restoration: A Word to the Wise
12-29-2012, 07:46 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 528
Bernina Restoration: A Word to the Wise
Well, I am one part away from my restoration of a 930 Record which I will post once done. In all my time of restoring machines, this is without a doubt my biggest challenge. I'm having fun with it but I have had to beg, plead, and travel throughout the Tri-State Region to get parts for it as well as search the internet for hours. Behold one of the rarest of all 930 items, a brand new hand wheel.
If you plan to restore one, beware. You will HAVE TO DEAL with the DEALERS who want nothing to do with anyone restoring one of "their" machines. Most will not even return calls or emails. The amount of spare parts on the Internet, especially for the older machines are lean, and are mostly the easy stuff like feet, bobbins, etc. For the real stuff, it is nearly impossible.
The major problem is that Bernina suffered a flood many years ago which destroyed their toolings. As a result, they make no spares, or are they available unless you just happen to find one.
That being said, as much as I love the machines, I will think very hard before I attempt another. I have an 930 and 830, and I may have to just settle for that and focus on my true loves, the pre-1900 machines.... so, a word to the wise unless you are faint of heart.
Then again...I may change my mind cause' I love em' so much.
If you plan to restore one, beware. You will HAVE TO DEAL with the DEALERS who want nothing to do with anyone restoring one of "their" machines. Most will not even return calls or emails. The amount of spare parts on the Internet, especially for the older machines are lean, and are mostly the easy stuff like feet, bobbins, etc. For the real stuff, it is nearly impossible.
The major problem is that Bernina suffered a flood many years ago which destroyed their toolings. As a result, they make no spares, or are they available unless you just happen to find one.
That being said, as much as I love the machines, I will think very hard before I attempt another. I have an 930 and 830, and I may have to just settle for that and focus on my true loves, the pre-1900 machines.... so, a word to the wise unless you are faint of heart.
Then again...I may change my mind cause' I love em' so much.
12-30-2012, 08:06 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
My wife has a 930 Record she inherited from my cousin. It's in good working order. When you get to the end of your restoration, I look forward to your thread.
Have you found any parts you'd consider a week link in the machine ?
Joe
Have you found any parts you'd consider a week link in the machine ?
Joe
12-30-2012, 09:19 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Yup, this is well known...parts for Bernina, Pfaff and even Elna cost a fortune and can be very tricky to find. That doesn't keep me away though.. They are simply the best quality and well made machines out there!
12-30-2012, 07:52 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Well, I am one part away from my restoration of a 930 Record which I will post once done. In all my time of restoring machines, this is without a doubt my biggest challenge. I'm having fun with it but I have had to beg, plead, and travel throughout the Tri-State Region to get parts for it as well as search the internet for hours. Behold one of the rarest of all 930 items, a brand new hand wheel.
If you plan to restore one, beware. You will HAVE TO DEAL with the DEALERS who want nothing to do with anyone restoring one of "their" machines. Most will not even return calls or emails. The amount of spare parts on the Internet, especially for the older machines are lean, and are mostly the easy stuff like feet, bobbins, etc. For the real stuff, it is nearly impossible.
The major problem is that Bernina suffered a flood many years ago which destroyed their toolings. As a result, they make no spares, or are they available unless you just happen to find one.
That being said, as much as I love the machines, I will think very hard before I attempt another. I have an 930 and 830, and I may have to just settle for that and focus on my true loves, the pre-1900 machines.... so, a word to the wise unless you are faint of heart.
Then again...I may change my mind cause' I love em' so much.
If you plan to restore one, beware. You will HAVE TO DEAL with the DEALERS who want nothing to do with anyone restoring one of "their" machines. Most will not even return calls or emails. The amount of spare parts on the Internet, especially for the older machines are lean, and are mostly the easy stuff like feet, bobbins, etc. For the real stuff, it is nearly impossible.
The major problem is that Bernina suffered a flood many years ago which destroyed their toolings. As a result, they make no spares, or are they available unless you just happen to find one.
That being said, as much as I love the machines, I will think very hard before I attempt another. I have an 930 and 830, and I may have to just settle for that and focus on my true loves, the pre-1900 machines.... so, a word to the wise unless you are faint of heart.
Then again...I may change my mind cause' I love em' so much.
Nancy
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