bernina sewing machine bobbins

bernina sewing machine bobbins

20 METAL BOBBIN FOR bernina 130,140,440,730,809,830,930

$8.99

100 METAL BOBBINS HOME SEWING MACHINE BERNINA VIKING

$13.99

My sewing machine struggles sometimes to stitch....?

I have a vintage Bernina 830, and at times it seems to struggle to sew (like it is being held back in some way and it is having a hard time with the needle raising and lowering). I have cleaned out the bobbin area and feed plates often, tried different needles, made sure to pull back the threads to the back when starting the seam, it seems to be getting worse. Anyone have any thoughts why this is happening?
Thanks, Kay, my local library didn't have the book, but I found it on Amazon used books. It sounds like it needs servicing, I have had it for about a year, and am not sure when the previous owner had it in to be looked. Do you know how to find a good place to service it in Portland, OR? I've located one place that works on Berninas, but was looking for a recommendation on vintage models.

Could be a number of things. When is the last time it's been oiled? And with what sort of oil? (Sewing machine oil only, never 3-in-1 or WD-40 type products, which will freeze the machine.) When's the last time it's had a COA (professional cleaning/oil/adjustment)? If it's been a couple of years, it's probably overdue, even if it's been sitting in the closet most of the time.

When is the last time the motor brushes were checked? Do you hear any arcing?

Is this connected to an overloaded circuit? To an extension cord? The machine may be experiencing a voltage drop. Is the plug firmly seated in the wall, or is the contact between plug and socket poor?

Is this occuring only at slow speeds? Conventional brush motors like these require 3x the running current to start, so won't give full punching force at slower speeds. Give it a little help on starting with the handwheel.

That should get you going on looking for the cause. If you don't spot it, consider joining the yahoo group "wefixit", who can help you systematically track down the cause and tell you what needs to be done to fix it.

This should be a good machine -- be wary of someone who wants to sell you a new one and take this one in on trade, or tell you that it's worn out.

Suggested reading, now out of print, but you can get it from your library, perhaps on interlibrary loan: John Giordano's The Sewng Machine Guide. http://www.worldcat.org/title/sewing-machine-guide-tips-on-choosing-buying-and-refurbishing/oclc/36783752&referer=brief_results