Is a Bernina Record 930 good?
 

I don't think it's vintage but looking at purchasing one for a decent price.

Can anyone tell me about this machine?!

I have my DM's Bernina 830 record and it is, and always has been a real workhorse. I have no plan to ever get rid of it!!
If the machine you found is in decent shape, I would grab it! Just my opinion, and I am no expert!

IN NO UNCERTAIN WORDS .... ABSOLUTELY YES They are excellent machines. Minimal electronics and no computers.
My wife has one that was my late cousins. From 2000 till last year my wife beat the crap out of it with no servicing, no cleaning, nothing. And it never missed a beat. I cleaned and lubed it and it's running much better, but still sews the same.

Great machines, if you have a chance to get one for a reasonable price do it.

The only thing is, parts are a pain to find and most Bernina shops will try their livin level best to sell you a new one rather than work on the old one.

Joe

I may be able to get it for $50. I like the idea of no computer, are there parts that are more likely to break? When inspecting it, what should I look for?

The lady who is selling it stated it is "an old friend" but she can no longer lift it and had to get a lighter machine.

Grab it quick. I have my beloved 830 Record that I bought new for $350 in 1971- a lot of money for a student. She still purrs along like a happy kitten- beautiful stitches and a very reliable machine. Lucky you!

I have my mother's that she got in the late 1980s. It is a work horse. I had to have the motor replaced about three years ago and have it serviced yearly and it doesn't skip a beat. It would be a good buy.
D

http://stjohns.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ495784098

I'm really excited! I get this Bernina Record 930 tomorrow!

Make sure that the feed dog is there!!!! Also, make sure that the machine stops in the UP position. Other than that, it is one of my favorite machines. Parts are extremely hard to find. Also, make sure that the hand wheel is true when it is running. All parts for this machine are in very short supply, and they don't make them anymore. If it is running well, you've got a fabulous machine...actually quite unbeatable, even by today's standards. The stitches are terrific!!!!!!

I have the 930 and would never give it up. I used it for years and is a great machine.

This machine will purr like a kitten for many more years if you keep it clean. My 830 was a dream machine. I gave it to my sister when hubby complained about how many berninas I had. And my sis had been hinting for years. It was such a good machine.

I had every foot for it. That is key. Buy the ones you can get your hands on. They work like a dream for all those extra little jobs you need to do. Ebay has them. I suggest you buy real parts, I don't recommend the others.

I've found feet, bobbin case, etc.. available on ebay..just make sure you buy old style. If it is in good working condition, there may never be a need for a new part. I believe they are all metal except for one nylon gear. I bought one in the mid 70's and mistakenly sold it for a newer model. I had a chance to by one about 6 years ago from an original owner of one who wanted a newer machine. (After some convincing from the dealer, I'm sure.) I have used it for taking to classes. Still sews like it is brand new.

If you check what they are selling on ebay for, you'll find the one you've found a real BARGAIN.

I'm in love!
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I never knew a machine could run so quietly! The lady told me it does need servicing, the only thing I can find off is the Selector level is froze up and will not move. I think it just needs a good cleaning.

You got a buy of a lifetime there.

A: The top is easy to remove, there are two catches that look like screws.
The first one is visible in your pic above. The little chrome screw like gadget at the upper left of the top of the machine.
There is another one under the bobbin winding door. THESE ARE NOT SCREWS, to release the catch put a screwdriver in the slot, push down till it stops, and give it about a quarter to a half turn. You'll feel it release.
Then pull the top off.
The face plate is held on by a screw. Remove it and make it clean under there too. Also oil the moving parts.

B: Do not force the selector. Get some Tri-Flow and soak it. Gently work the selector till it frees up. There isn't many places that the factory will tell you to oil, but the main shaft has two or three places and anything metal to metal can use a wee bit too.

C: Pop off the narrow free arm cover and clean, clean, clean it inside. I cleaned a whole cats worth of fuzz and lint out of my wife's machine last year. The catch for that is in the bobbin compartment.

Be careful around the pattern selector levers. There are electronic control sensors under notched bar and other places as well.

Once you get it serviced you'll be amazed at what a great sewing machine that is.


Joe

Congratulations! I received a 930 for Christmas in 1984 and it was the best present ever! I still love it and won't ever trade or sell it. It is HEAVY and I have a Janome for classes and travel but always love sewing on my Bernina. It is a dream machine you will love it.

Joe thanks for the tip on how to get the top off. The pattern selector arm was not froze, I just didn't know you had to pull the arm to the right and move it. It sews beautifully!

The issue is that the red and green lights do not come on. So I cannot get the fancy patterns to work.

anyone have any suggestions?

I've heard a lot of good things about the Bernina 930. Lucky you!

Joe, thanks. I have a Bernina I would like to service myself, an older Quilters Edition (don't remember the number offhand). I thought I would need Bernina tools to do it and I think those are hard to come by.

Do you know about servicing an older Pfaff, an 1171? How do I get it apart? Do I need Pfaff tools? And are the innards to that plastic or metal? If plastic, what do I do about oiling?

Thanks! (And if someone in addition to Joe knows some of these answers, please post.)

Cricket,

I do not yet have any experience with Pfaffs. Someday perhaps.

NL Quilter,

I'm not sure why the lights wouldn't come on. Possibly a loose connection. Just a guess.

Joe

NL Quilter, have you tried moving the red/green stitch knob at the bottom right front of the machine back and forth? This knob is located inside the sewing/darning ring. Do you have the manual? If so, check out page 2 - View of Machine to locate these parts.

I found a bernina forum on yahoo someone there told me that the actual lights would not affect the patterns, just used to indicate which set you are using. They suggested that the camstack is "gucked up" not to figure how to clean it good.

NL quilter,

The cam stack is right on top of the machine. Once the top is off you can see it easily. I doubt the cam stack, clean or other wise is having any thing to do with the indicator lights. That is most likely a bad connection.

Do you have a manual for it yet?

Joe

The manual that came with it has 40+ pages on how to use it, and one on maintenance describing on how to clean the bobbin, thats it. Any other work the manual indicates you have to bring it to certified bernina maintenance shop.

NL quilter,

One of the other members here, possibly SteveR sent me a Bernina 930 shop manual. I can't find it on my thumb or hard drive so perhaps it was printed. I don't know. If you PM him maybe he can set you up with the manual.

While Joey trys like mad to find his.

Joe

Joe, thanks I will message him, that manual will come in handy, but guess what, with a lot of cleaning, and oil I got it to work! Beautiful stitches! I luv my new toy!

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Great! I figured it was most likely just dry or a bit gummy in places.

Joe

I had a one page handout that had oiling instructions for under the top of the machine. I think I sent it with the machine when my DH's niece borrowed it. I can't find it and I sure wish I had it again. I think I can remember everywhere you are supposed to oil (metal touches metal) but if you find that page, I would pay for a copy of it. I'm the original owner of my 930 and I hope to keep her going for a very long time.

Helen

Helen,

Strong arm DH's niece and make her cough it up. I'd like a copy too .... :)

Joe

I don't think I ever had the sheet Helen refers to, but I would be happy to buy a copy also if anyone has it. My husband bought my 930 for me in the early 1980's. It has been a real workhorse keeping up with my sewing for our family with three kids from birth through weddings! It is still going strong and I wouldn't dream of parting with it.

Jump -- quickly -- on that Bernina. especially at that price.

I have a 930 and it is a super workhorse. I love sewing on it.

nBernina 930
 

I have the same machine and still love it....DH surprised me with it one Christmas in the 80's. The only thing is the weight !...I actually hurt my back picking it up out of the front seat of the car and moving to the back seat,,taking it out and then up a few stairs to repair shop! That was over a year ago and still feel the effects of that.
Anyway I love that wavy stitch--#4.
I bought a Pfaff years later but it had no stitch like that one. The 930 really purrs. I was fortunate to have a cabinet also given at the same time..sure made sewing enjoyable all these years. I've thought of selling it but I still use it even though I've bought a couple of FWs, a Brother 1500 for quilting,,Pfaff 7550 and a Pfaff QE4.
The $50 for a 930 was a steal ...many people are paying well over $500 for them . I'm not sure why though if parts are hard to come by.

That page with the Bernina 900-series oiling points is posted in the Yahoo group "BerninaThirtySomethings" files section. I printed a copy to keep in my manual. If you can't find it PM me with your email address and I will email it to you.

I have a 910 that I found locally from a craigslist ad. It sews really sweet, it just does not have the decorative stitches of it's big sister the 930. I wanted a mechanical backup for my Bernina 440 and the 910 will probably outlive it. The one I have is from 1983 but it does have the heel-tap needle up-down that was introduced into the 900-series around then. You have to have the right foot control for it to work correctly. When I got mine, I was told the Bernina foot control had broken and they substituted a "generic" that worked fine. I recognized that they were trying to pass off a 70s Kenmore foot control (since I have two of those) and negotiated a reduction since I explained that it negated the needle up-down feature (although I did not know if it had it at that point!). Anyway, I was able to buy the correct foot for the 910 and it looks and works great now. Mine is blue/white, but they also made the 910 in brown/white like the 930.

Skyangel,

You have a PM. Thank you for the offer.

Joe