Vintage Bernina Sewing Machines
 

I was given several Bernina Sewing Machines dated back to the late 60's and 70's. Where would I go to see what they are worth if anything?

Nice gift!

Vintage Bernina machines are pretty popular. Do you have some model numbers and/or pictures of the machines?

Search on Ebay for completed listings on your models, also start watching shopgoodwill.com. Berninas occasionally show up there too. If you put the active listings in your watch list you can see the ending price. Ebay prices tend to be higher than local sale prices.
Rodney

Any 930 or 1230 in big demand

I have a Bernina 830 Record that I bought in 1973 for $500. It still runs like a champ and if I ever wanted to sell I could get near the original price I paid. On the hand I now have the big new 830 computerized Bernina which cost several thousand dollars. I could not get half of what I paid for it despite it being only two years old, and it is a very sensitive machine that requires the patience of saint to use as it is always throwing up some new glitch to work around. If I could recoup even half my investment would sell it in a heartbeat....it is such a pain to use, but then I just be throwing my problems onto someone else.

Vintage Bernina Sewing Machines
 

The two machines I have are Model #830 Record. As you can see, both machines have been in storage and need severe cleaning but I do have the electrical cords as well as a tray of miscellaneous parts.

My husband tells me I have too many sewing machines and that I need to find new homes for them (haha).

Welcome from the Bay Area!

too many machines... HA! we could tell ya stories....

Ellie this is the most popular vintage model of Bernina and generally sell for several hundred minimum. I had one and it was very pleasant to use. Very much a machine to do just about everything.

The 830 record is a wonderful machine. If you don't want them, I am sure you will be able to find buyers easily. If they were cleaned and in good order you would get much more money for them, but you would also be very tempted to keep them. I love mine.

Are the two nylon gears intact inside? Typically the main issue this model has is a cracked cam stack gear or an upright gear. They are a part that can be replaced but a buyer would want to know if this is the case.

830's are great machines! We've sold used one for $300 to $500, depending on the shape they're in, and what accessories they have. As was mentioned, the camstack gear (about $33) and vertical shaft gears (about $73) are important to check before you sell. Also, the foot controls can be a problem. If they sputter when you start, they need a capacitor replaced -- that's an easy fix. If they're older, and have problems, the whole thing may need to be replaced (about $34). The stitch selector lever (on top), and feed dog knob (bottom, right) tend to gum-up if they sit un-used for a long time.

Good Luck!