I was lucky enough to be given an 830 for my 16th birthday, (in 1971) it has never let me down. I made all my own clothes, including my wedding dress, and soft furnishings as well as wedding dresses and alterations for family and friends. I will never sell it. My only sadness is that none of my family have any interest in sewing so I have no-one to pass it on to.
I’ll bet you’ve taken great care of it and it looks and runs like new. You’ve got plenty of time to find someone to pass it on to, and keep the legacy alive. 👍🏼😎
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Just got one of these for free. Yes Free!!! Super excited. There are no nylon gears cracked. Clean. Just needs oiling 🎉
@@alcas7864 looks like you got an early Christmas present. Or, maybe your birthday. Or both. Enjoy your Bernina. It will be awesome for you. Have a happy Thanksgiving also. 👍🏼😎
I’m lucky to have two of these girls. One I inherited, as the story went it was traded for a dirt bike. The other one was given to me because it quite working. It needed the foot pedal repaired, a new power cord, brushes replaced and it had the cracked plastic gear you talked about. I was lucky enough to find a sewing machine repair shop that had the parts. They told me the main reason for the failure of the plastic gear was because the machine was oiled with 3 in 1 oil and put under stress. Truly amazing sewing machines. A person could spend a sewing lifetime becoming proficient with all they can do.
Thanks for taking the time to give us the amazing history of your Berninas. I’ve heard some intriguing tales of various sewing machine’s adventures, and they’re all fascinating to me. As people move around, and travel through life, their machines often go along for the ride. Their Berninas are usually close at hand, as their value is represented not only in their cost, but their versatility and performance. With two, you’re in great shape, sewing machine wise. Thanks again.👍😎
Give it couple well placed drops of oil and it will be ready to sew. They’re fantastic machines. I think they’re the best Bernina that you can own. 😎👍🏼
I am studying to be a seamstress and my friend is a traveling sewing machine technician. (They are actually hot in demand!) Anyways, he has come across a 1971 BERNINA in great condition. He has tuned it all up for me and I will be picking up in a few weeks. I cannot wait to try it out and I thank you for this review! 🧵 🇨🇦
My dad bought me the 930 Record for my college graduation in 1983 and it is a workhorse! I’ve owned an alteration business and the only thing I’ve had to replace is the light bulb once and the foot pedal once. I love that mine has a basting stitch in addition to all the other stitches. So many great features. Whenever I get it cleaned, and whatever shop I take it to, they beg to buy it from me! Nope, not for sale!
I was lucky enough to find one on the street in Geneva (the people there throw out incredible things...). It's the most reliable and robust machine I've ever used. With its automatic tensioning system it almost never breaks the thread, misses less than one stitch in 100 km of sewing, and is even more powerful than my Pfaff ‘Alpina’ 130 (also made in Switzerland) which has a big motor under the table. If you can get your hands on this machine, go for it, you won't regret it.
I bought one on marketplace for $100 last year. All I knew was it was a older mechanical bernina. I just took apart to oil and checked for cracked gears, bushings good. I even got the red case!
Hello! I found 2 models available near me: one is the 830 record and the other 830 record-electronic? Would you prefer one over the other? The 830 record-electronic is in near pristine condition. I would also appreciate your thoughts on the Bernina Sport 801 which is also available but less expensive. Thank you so much! I learn so much from your videos as a beginner seiwst :)
@@mariat9810 they are all awesome machines. The 801 will work economically if you’re not into all of the extra stitches afforded by the 830’s. The foot control is the electronic part of the equation. If one is pristine with the book, accessories, and carry case, that’s my pick. If you get a chance to meet the owner and actually sew on the machine, that’s the perfect scenario.
I've got one of these gems for free as it was left at my local recycle center. I'm trying to figure out how to use it properly and would appreciate any resources. I seem to have an 830 Record Electronic. Not sure how to load the bobbin thread correctly. Thanks
@@TRICIA9898 Bernina has a superior dealer network as well as numerous support videos. If you can’t find any help online,let me know and I’ll make a video next chance I get.
how capable is it at sewing through many layers of fabric and heavy materials i have a brother vx-810 and on one occasion the machine refused to sew through 6 layers of fabric 4 layers of deniem and 2 layers of a thicker fleece material unless the stitch width and length were at lowest setting possible settings and even then it struggled i cant really find much info online about how capable it is sewing thru many layers or heavy and thick materials i found a berina 830 locally thats for sale at a good price so some insight would help
@@jonahtv4974 you will find a Bernina 830 to be superior in almost every function, especially any newer Brother machine. Of course that’s just my opinion, based on 51 years of experience.YMMV😎👍
I found one that looks exactly like this one (830 written) but has "electronic" written near "record". Are the same thing? Am I correct in assuming this has the CB oscillating hook system? Thanks!
@@MsYablonsky yes it is the same but has an electronic foot control. It also has the 15 class, front load, oscillating hook system. It’s quality stuff. Manufacturers were eager to use the “electronic” moniker when it was “cool”, and not mundane like today. Now, just about everything is electronic, and it’s become more of a negative instead of a positive. (IMHO) 😎👍
@ thank you very much. I was told that this machine can take thick thread on top and bottom with less tensioning issues compared to the 850 that i have, do you think this is true? I might have found a 830 gor a good price
@ there’s basically no difference in the two machines’ ability to use heavy thread that I’m aware of. A slightly heavier thread than all purpose/ dual duty maybe, but much thicker thread will be problematic.
If you buy one from an authorized Bernina dealer, that’s not only your single source, it’s the only way to be sure it’s not a counterfeit from China or elsewhere. Beware when buying parts online. If you know the source and trust them, it might be a better experience. I would buy it from an authorized Bernina dealer, unless you want to take a chance.
I have a question about the position of the spool of thread when its horizontal? Should the thread come off the top? or the bottom? Thanks! That Bernina looks great! I really appreciate all the inside information you give us! Peggy
I would choose the Kenmore every time. If I had ten of these Bernina 830’s, I could sell them all in an afternoon. They’re pretty hot commodities. My wife just happens to have that Kenmore 158.1941. She can have any Bernina she wants. Fortunately for me, she’s wise and practical and sticks with the old dependable machines. She’s been paying attention, all these years. 😎
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Well, she's been with you for how many years???? Smart lady!!!! That plastic gear would be a deal breaker for me. Does it make a better stitch than the Kenmore?
@@ronalddevine9587 44 years and still going strong. I’m blessed in that regard for sure. The stitch quality is about the same I guess. With a quality machine, I can get them to perform at their best. The nylon gear failure is a rare event. I’ve only seen two in fifty years. That’s within an acceptable range for most folks. They don’t fail due to stress. It’s usually an imperfect gear with a flaw that makes them crack. They don’t concern me, naturally, because I can easily remedy the problem. For someone who’s thinking about buying one however, it’s something to consider because it’s around $200 to get it replaced.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 I'd choose the Kenmore as well, actually own one. Nothing beats a 201-2 for impeccable stitch quality. Truly the Rolls-Royce of sewing machines. I find the 158 series to be superb at zigzag sewing. Very precise.
We have a Bernina 930 and the tech who works on it likes the 930 more than the 830. What makes you like the 830 more than the 930? (By the way, I love that 403a I bought from you!)
There’s only a few real differences between the two machines in my opinion. The 830 is a little less complicated by being more analog and less electronic. I’ve never seen an 830 that has failed to the point that it can’t be rebuilt on budget. I’ve seen some 930’s that have failed, and the customer couldn’t afford the repairs so they just chucked them and moved on. I’m glad the 403 is living up to its legendary status. 😎
I was lucky enough to be given an 830 for my 16th birthday, (in 1971) it has never let me down. I made all my own clothes, including my wedding dress, and soft furnishings as well as wedding dresses and alterations for family and friends. I will never sell it. My only sadness is that none of my family have any interest in sewing so I have no-one to pass it on to.
I’ll bet you’ve taken great care of it and it looks and runs like new.
You’ve got plenty of time to find someone to pass it on to, and keep the legacy alive. 👍🏼😎
I own this little beauty. I won't trade it in.
I’m with you on that one. They’re just, that, good. 👍🏼😎
I had the pleasure of sewing on one of these machines about 10 years ago. You're right - sewed like a dream!
They’re pretty awesome. 👍🏼😎
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Just got one of these for free. Yes Free!!! Super excited. There are no nylon gears cracked. Clean. Just needs oiling 🎉
@@alcas7864 looks like you got an early Christmas present. Or, maybe your birthday. Or both.
Enjoy your Bernina. It will be awesome for you.
Have a happy Thanksgiving also. 👍🏼😎
I’m lucky to have two of these girls. One I inherited, as the story went it was traded for a dirt bike. The other one was given to me because it quite working. It needed the foot pedal repaired, a new power cord, brushes replaced and it had the cracked plastic gear you talked about. I was lucky enough to find a sewing machine repair shop that had the parts. They told me the main reason for the failure of the plastic gear was because the machine was oiled with 3 in 1 oil and put under stress. Truly amazing sewing machines. A person could spend a sewing lifetime becoming proficient with all they can do.
Thanks for taking the time to give us the amazing history of your Berninas. I’ve heard some intriguing tales of various sewing machine’s adventures, and they’re all fascinating to me. As people move around, and travel through life, their machines often go along for the ride. Their Berninas are usually close at hand, as their value is represented not only in their cost, but their versatility and performance.
With two, you’re in great shape, sewing machine wise.
Thanks again.👍😎
Well said. Absolutely! I wish I had a dozen of them. 👍🏼😎
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Hehehe Greetings from Switzerland, I'm currently using my mum's one at this very moment :)
@@aliaelborai you’re in Bernina’s homeland. Thanks for joining in the conversation, and thanks for watching.
😎
I agree with you, Bernina is a great machine to work on...
Especially this model. I wish I had ten of these. I could sell them all in one day and take a weekend off. 😎
I just opened up my mom's bernina 830. It has been in the cabinet since 2009 when she passed. I love it.
Give it couple well placed drops of oil and it will be ready to sew.
They’re fantastic machines.
I think they’re the best Bernina that you can own. 😎👍🏼
I am studying to be a seamstress and my friend is a traveling sewing machine technician. (They are actually hot in demand!) Anyways, he has come across a 1971 BERNINA in great condition. He has tuned it all up for me and I will be picking up in a few weeks. I cannot wait to try it out and I thank you for this review! 🧵
🇨🇦
Good fortune for you. Enjoy your new machine.👍😎
My dad bought me the 930 Record for my college graduation in 1983 and it is a workhorse! I’ve owned an alteration business and the only thing I’ve had to replace is the light bulb once and the foot pedal once. I love that mine has a basting stitch in addition to all the other stitches. So many great features. Whenever I get it cleaned, and whatever shop I take it to, they beg to buy it from me! Nope, not for sale!
Yes, it’s just that good.
I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
Thanks for watching, and thanks for a great comment. 😎👍🏼
I was lucky enough to find one on the street in Geneva (the people there throw out incredible things...).
It's the most reliable and robust machine I've ever used. With its automatic tensioning system it almost never breaks the thread, misses less than one stitch in 100 km of sewing, and is even more powerful than my Pfaff ‘Alpina’ 130 (also made in Switzerland) which has a big motor under the table.
If you can get your hands on this machine, go for it, you won't regret it.
@@0li_vi_er a truly great find for you.
They are incredibly precise and robust machines.
Congratulations. 😎👍🏼
Just got my Bernina 830 Record at auction for $58! Im so excited :)
@@ashleystarr2149 Excellent buy! I hope you also got the manuals and accessories as they are worth about $500 by themselves.
I bought one on marketplace for $100 last year. All I knew was it was a older mechanical bernina. I just took apart to oil and checked for cracked gears, bushings good. I even got the red case!
@@daynacjones brilliant acquisition there for sure. If you got the presser feet and accessories, they are worth $500 alone. Nice work. 😎👍🏼
Hello! I found 2 models available near me: one is the 830 record and the other 830 record-electronic? Would you prefer one over the other? The 830 record-electronic is in near pristine condition. I would also appreciate your thoughts on the Bernina Sport 801 which is also available but less expensive. Thank you so much! I learn so much from your videos as a beginner seiwst :)
@@mariat9810 they are all awesome machines. The 801 will work economically if you’re not into all of the extra stitches afforded by the 830’s. The foot control is the electronic part of the equation.
If one is pristine with the book, accessories, and carry case, that’s my pick. If you get a chance to meet the owner and actually sew on the machine, that’s the perfect scenario.
I've got one of these gems for free as it was left at my local recycle center. I'm trying to figure out how to use it properly and would appreciate any resources. I seem to have an 830 Record Electronic. Not sure how to load the bobbin thread correctly. Thanks
@@TRICIA9898 Bernina has a superior dealer network as well as numerous support videos. If you can’t find any help online,let me know and I’ll make a video next chance I get.
how capable is it at sewing through many layers of fabric and heavy materials i have a brother vx-810 and on one occasion the machine refused to sew through 6 layers of fabric 4 layers of deniem and 2 layers of a thicker fleece material unless the stitch width and length were at lowest setting possible settings and even then it struggled i cant really find much info online about how capable it is sewing thru many layers or heavy and thick materials i found a berina 830 locally thats for sale at a good price so some insight would help
@@jonahtv4974 you will find a Bernina 830 to be superior in almost every function, especially any newer Brother machine.
Of course that’s just my opinion, based on 51 years of experience.YMMV😎👍
Hey my sister has a bernina 830 she has the type 290 pedal could that be spliced with the other pedal the wires seem the same
@@potatohamlin5242 you are correct. If there are two wires, a double wire foot control works just fine.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 theres 3 wires ?
@@potatohamlin5242 the third is the green (ground).
The two contact lines work if there are no electronic components on the machine.
Hi sir thank you, this machine can weave in and out???
@@enitametejiri8606 i don’t know what you mean by “weave in and out”.
I found one that looks exactly like this one (830 written) but has "electronic" written near "record". Are the same thing? Am I correct in assuming this has the CB oscillating hook system?
Thanks!
@@MsYablonsky yes it is the same but has an electronic foot control. It also has the 15 class, front load, oscillating hook system. It’s quality stuff. Manufacturers were eager to use the “electronic” moniker when it was “cool”, and not mundane like today.
Now, just about everything is electronic, and it’s become more of a negative instead of a positive. (IMHO) 😎👍
@ thank you very much. I was told that this machine can take thick thread on top and bottom with less tensioning issues compared to the 850 that i have, do you think this is true? I might have found a 830 gor a good price
@ there’s basically no difference in the two machines’ ability to use heavy thread that I’m aware of. A slightly heavier thread than all purpose/ dual duty maybe, but much thicker thread will be problematic.
Hi , do you have an original pedal and cord for purchase ? Cannot find one on eBay . Thanks
If you buy one from an authorized Bernina dealer, that’s not only your single source, it’s the only way to be sure it’s not a counterfeit from China or elsewhere.
Beware when buying parts online. If you know the source and trust them, it might be a better experience.
I would buy it from an authorized Bernina dealer, unless you want to take a chance.
I have a question about the position of the spool of thread when its horizontal? Should the thread come off the top? or the bottom? Thanks!
That Bernina looks great! I really appreciate all the inside information you give us! Peggy
Looked at from the machine needle end --- should unreel clockwise - in theory, this prevents the thread twisting between the spool and the needle.
Looks like a nice machine. Regardless of price, which would you rather own, this Bernina, or a Kenmore 158-1941?
I would choose the Kenmore every time.
If I had ten of these Bernina 830’s, I could sell them all in an afternoon.
They’re pretty hot commodities.
My wife just happens to have that Kenmore 158.1941.
She can have any Bernina she wants. Fortunately for me, she’s wise and practical and sticks with the old dependable machines.
She’s been paying attention, all these years. 😎
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954
Well, she's been with you for how many years???? Smart lady!!!!
That plastic gear would be a deal breaker for me. Does it make a better stitch than the Kenmore?
@@ronalddevine9587 44 years and still going strong. I’m blessed in that regard for sure.
The stitch quality is about the same I guess. With a quality machine, I can get them to perform at their best.
The nylon gear failure is a rare event. I’ve only seen two in fifty years. That’s within an acceptable range for most folks.
They don’t fail due to stress. It’s usually an imperfect gear with a flaw that makes them crack.
They don’t concern me, naturally, because I can easily remedy the problem.
For someone who’s thinking about buying one however, it’s something to consider because it’s around $200 to get it replaced.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954
I'd choose the Kenmore as well, actually own one. Nothing beats a 201-2 for impeccable stitch quality. Truly the Rolls-Royce of sewing machines. I find the 158 series to be superb at zigzag sewing. Very precise.
@@ronalddevine9587 absolutely agree.
👍🏼😎
We have a Bernina 930 and the tech who works on it likes the 930 more than the 830. What makes you like the 830 more than the 930? (By the way, I love that 403a I bought from you!)
There’s only a few real differences between the two machines in my opinion.
The 830 is a little less complicated by being more analog and less electronic.
I’ve never seen an 830 that has failed to the point that it can’t be rebuilt on budget.
I’ve seen some 930’s that have failed, and the customer couldn’t afford the repairs so they just chucked them and moved on.
I’m glad the 403 is living up to its legendary status. 😎
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thanks! I'll make sure to keep our 930 in good repair!
@@mmeiggs 👍🏼😎