Wonderful. I inherited a 730 record (1970 vintage) which is fantastic. It just runs and runs with minimal oiling and maintenance. Shortly after that I inherited a 117 (1942 vintage) in a table. At some stage of its life the treadle was removed and a motor was attached and then recently was removed. I have still to find another motor for it, but that is a project for later. Before that I was given a Pfaff 360 which had not been used for 30 years and was rusted and seized inside. I sprayed it with penetrating oil and left in the hot November South African sun for weeks. Eventually things started to move. When all things were moving I found the timing was out. After looking at many TH-cam videos I found a way of resetting the timing. 6 months later and replacement of 1 belt and the bobbin tyre the machine works well. At the moment the Bernina is my favorite.
I love this video and can't wait to watch the rest of the series. Earlier this year I decided I wanted to learn how to sew so I asked my mom if she still had my grandmother's sewing machine. She offered it to me several years back. My mother has her own sewing machine so she didn't really need a second one. At that time I wasn't really ready to dive into sewing as an additional hobby. I am a full time engineer and don't have much free time as it is. I was happy to find out that she still had it and was willing to give it to me. I had no prior knowledge about sewing machines so once I received the Bernina Record 930 I dove into the internet to see what I could find out. That is how I found this TH-cam Channel. Many of the feet were pretty dirty with old oil and dust and I wanted to figure out how to clean the feet without damaging them. I have been enjoying watching ever since even though my machine is a "hybrid" and most of the videos don't apply to me. I did get every last original piece of this machine including the sales order that showed she bought the machine in 1983, only a few months before I was born, and that she traded in another machine for it and bought a table at the same time as well. The table is currently in my mom's basement and I'm going to have to figure out how to get it some day. She lives in Chicago and I live in Southern California. I only wonder what my grandmother traded in! I also managed to find out that my other grandmother's sewing machine is still at my grandfather's house and it is an antique treadle Singer. She inherited it from her mother so technically it was my great-grandmother's machine. I'll be excited to inherit that one day after watching all these videos. Hopefully I'll be an experienced sewer by then!
Wow. Thanks for sharing. Both of the machines you mention are wonderful in their own right and that you have them as family heirlooms makes them so special in other ways. Oh, and as for the table that you mention your Mom still having, those tables were VERY expensive when new. And fewer Berninas were sold with tables than many other brands.
I have had a 530 in my possession for quite some time... just waiting until someone was generous enough to do a video series like this. Cant wait to get her working!
Hello. Thanks for the informative video. I’ve been doing restorations on Singers, a mini kenny, and an Elna Lotus. Now I’m looking at Bernina Records. Not sure. But now I know better what to look for. I don’t want to spend a lot on something I can’t repair myself.
Thank you for this, I'm lucky enough to own an 830 Record that came with all its original goodies including its "suitcase." Great machines. I enjoy that you take the time to talk about small issues in detail, so thank you again.
I am here because while going for a walk I just found on the curb a Bernina record 530 record with all the attachments case and beautiful vintage instructions there is a receipt dated 1958 . I had wanted to purchase a sewing machine and learn how to use it the original owner in the brochure matches the address outside. It was a state sale and I am learning all there is to learn before I use it. The no foot pedal is certainly different. It is asleep and I am hoping to get it working asap .
Thank you for another great lesson. I rescued a Bernina 730 vintage that some day I might get restored. We also rescued a Bernina 817 vintage that I was able to have the plastic gear behind the shuttle replaced.
Great video! I have a 730 that has been partially restored by me. Yes, I broke the plastic lever for the button hole, too bad I hadn't seen your video first! I can't find the identification or use of the 15 mm plate/screw behind the bobbin area on the back of the neck. I would appreciate your knowledge of this!
That's a nice Bernina! I have a 530 Record as well, which is slightly older (there's a 530, a 530-1, and a 530-2). The serial number on this one that you're working on starts with "62," which indicates it was made in 1962. My 530 serial number starts with "56," and was made in 1956. My case is slightly different - a wooden peg holds the extension table in place. The accessories case is dark brown/black, and on the front of my machine, which is all one color, the word "Record" appears in script below the word BERNINA. The mechanism for winding the bobbin is built right into the motor. I was very happy to get mine, and per your advice, steeled myself from trying to sew on it right away after I bought it 5 months ago. It had belonged to the seller's mother-in-law and the owner's manual shows it was bought in Germany at an Air Force base in 1957. I knew it had not been serviced recently, and I took it to my local sewing machine repairman. She sews wonderfully and only needed general oiling and cleaning, and the feed dog drop mechanism worked on (it was frozen, like yours). Also, unfortunately, mine had the knee mechanism disabled and there was no knee controller present; a foot controller was wired in to the back. Obviously it works, but I wish I had the knee controller. Love watching all of your videos!
I just got one of these from a collector, it sews and works and everything. The collector didn't sew on it at all (had it for almost 20 years) That you for going over how the nylon gears might wear out and how it looks when that happens. Where do you get replacement gears? Should I have some on hand? Also, would love to see how you wind the bobbin on this! I intend to use mine to sew clothing. Thanks!
You can find them on Ebay as well as from online sewing supply stores. Yours may not be cracked. It can depend on many factors including how many hours the machine has been used but also WHERE it was stored. Sewing machines like the same climate controlled comfort that we do. Extremes of heat and cold can really accelerate their aging. The replacement gears are not that costly, but the labor/time involved can be high (mostly not due to the replacement itself but the time it takes to remove other pieces to get to the gears).
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage I know that mine are not currently cracked, but I was thinking might be good to have on hand just incase. Nothing like needing parts and not being able to find them!! I currently have a 1530 and had to replace the needle pin and while that wasn't hard to do I had a moment of panic when a site said they no longer carried them - but was able to find them elsewhere. The 530 was kept in the collectors home in the main living area on display - I think it will be ok, but I plan to use it and I know it hasn't been used really in 20 or so years. I appreciate the information! Very helpful thank you!
I bought a Bernina Record 930 at an estate sale. I immediately took it to my sewing service center. They serviced the machine and told me that it was like a Rolls Royce. I do not have a manual so I haven’t used it yet.
You can find electronic copies of out of print manuals on the Bernina website. I checked, and the 930 on their website matches my original 930 exactly. www.bernina.com/en-US/Support-US/Out-of-Print-Manuals/BERNINA-manuals/BERNINA-Sewing-Systems
2 problems- the ornamental stitch selector (9 in machine book) and the needle displacement lever(13 in machine book) are not moving at all. how can I make them move? the machine works really good
My nan just gave me this exact Bernina with a foot pedal. She has used it ever since the 1960's to make wedding dresses for the family. I guess you can say I'm lucky to have this but I have no idea how to use it haha
Saw this video too late, I guess. Please help?? I bought a 530 record online without the privilege of testing and it looks like it might have had just one owner. The wheel doesn’t turn when I plug on the pedal. There’s just a continuous humming sound =/
Where do you recommend getting parts for our vintage sewing machines? My husband is working on my Necchi Nora and we need the foot pedal and power cord because the original melted to the bed of the machine!
For vintage parts, I like bonanaza.com and Central Michigan sewing. But you can get new reproduction cords for most Nechhis. Try Ebay or Central Michigan to see if they have the Nora's replacement cord.
Looks like a wonderful machine. Shame on Bernina engineers for using plastic gears. For the money they charged, they should have cut corners elsewhere.
I agree Ronald. Perhaps they could have made the lid and side panels out of plastic since they are not load bearing. I guess the silver lining here is that at least there are new replacements for the old plastic gears that break. Most European brands of vintage machines can be very tough to find parts for.
I have a Bernina 930 Record and I was curious about the same thing. The case fully loaded with sewing machine, sewing deck, pedal, cord and box of about a dozen feet bobbins, accessories, etc. was 35 pounds.
Wonderful. I inherited a 730 record (1970 vintage) which is fantastic. It just runs and runs with minimal oiling and maintenance. Shortly after that I inherited a 117 (1942 vintage) in a table. At some stage of its life the treadle was removed and a motor was attached and then recently was removed. I have still to find another motor for it, but that is a project for later. Before that I was given a Pfaff 360 which had not been used for 30 years and was rusted and seized inside. I sprayed it with penetrating oil and left in the hot November South African sun for weeks. Eventually things started to move. When all things were moving I found the timing was out. After looking at many TH-cam videos I found a way of resetting the timing. 6 months later and replacement of 1 belt and the bobbin tyre the machine works well. At the moment the Bernina is my favorite.
I love this video and can't wait to watch the rest of the series. Earlier this year I decided I wanted to learn how to sew so I asked my mom if she still had my grandmother's sewing machine. She offered it to me several years back. My mother has her own sewing machine so she didn't really need a second one. At that time I wasn't really ready to dive into sewing as an additional hobby. I am a full time engineer and don't have much free time as it is. I was happy to find out that she still had it and was willing to give it to me. I had no prior knowledge about sewing machines so once I received the Bernina Record 930 I dove into the internet to see what I could find out. That is how I found this TH-cam Channel. Many of the feet were pretty dirty with old oil and dust and I wanted to figure out how to clean the feet without damaging them. I have been enjoying watching ever since even though my machine is a "hybrid" and most of the videos don't apply to me. I did get every last original piece of this machine including the sales order that showed she bought the machine in 1983, only a few months before I was born, and that she traded in another machine for it and bought a table at the same time as well. The table is currently in my mom's basement and I'm going to have to figure out how to get it some day. She lives in Chicago and I live in Southern California. I only wonder what my grandmother traded in! I also managed to find out that my other grandmother's sewing machine is still at my grandfather's house and it is an antique treadle Singer. She inherited it from her mother so technically it was my great-grandmother's machine. I'll be excited to inherit that one day after watching all these videos. Hopefully I'll be an experienced sewer by then!
Wow. Thanks for sharing. Both of the machines you mention are wonderful in their own right and that you have them as family heirlooms makes them so special in other ways. Oh, and as for the table that you mention your Mom still having, those tables were VERY expensive when new. And fewer Berninas were sold with tables than many other brands.
I have had a 530 in my possession for quite some time... just waiting until someone was generous enough to do a video series like this. Cant wait to get her working!
Go for it!
Hello. Thanks for the informative video. I’ve been doing restorations on Singers, a mini kenny, and an Elna Lotus. Now I’m looking at Bernina Records. Not sure. But now I know better what to look for. I don’t want to spend a lot on something I can’t repair myself.
Thank you for this, I'm lucky enough to own an 830 Record that came with all its original goodies including its "suitcase." Great machines.
I enjoy that you take the time to talk about small issues in detail, so thank you again.
Hello! Thanks for sharing! This is the first time that I see this type of sewing machine. I'm learning with each of your videos.
I am here because while going for a walk I just found on the curb a Bernina record 530 record with all the attachments case and beautiful vintage instructions there is a receipt dated 1958 . I had wanted to purchase a sewing machine and learn how to use it the original owner in the brochure matches the address outside. It was a state sale and I am learning all there is to learn before I use it. The no foot pedal is certainly different. It is asleep and I am hoping to get it working asap .
Amazing
Thanks for these very informative videos!
Just bought Bernina Record 530-2, supposedly serviced, but I'm going to do a check before using it.
Good luck!
Thank you for another great lesson. I rescued a Bernina 730 vintage that some day I might get restored. We also rescued a Bernina 817 vintage that I was able to have the plastic gear behind the shuttle replaced.
Very cool!
My mother has this model and she is the original owner. I have the vintage 810 Bernina model. I can’t wait to see your next video on this machine.
Great video! I have a 730 that has been partially restored by me. Yes, I broke the plastic lever for the button hole, too bad I hadn't seen your video first! I can't find the identification or use of the 15 mm plate/screw behind the bobbin area on the back of the neck. I would appreciate your knowledge of this!
That's a nice Bernina! I have a 530 Record as well, which is slightly older (there's a 530, a 530-1, and a 530-2). The serial number on this one that you're working on starts with "62," which indicates it was made in 1962. My 530 serial number starts with "56," and was made in 1956. My case is slightly different - a wooden peg holds the extension table in place. The accessories case is dark brown/black, and on the front of my machine, which is all one color, the word "Record" appears in script below the word BERNINA. The mechanism for winding the bobbin is built right into the motor. I was very happy to get mine, and per your advice, steeled myself from trying to sew on it right away after I bought it 5 months ago. It had belonged to the seller's mother-in-law and the owner's manual shows it was bought in Germany at an Air Force base in 1957. I knew it had not been serviced recently, and I took it to my local sewing machine repairman. She sews wonderfully and only needed general oiling and cleaning, and the feed dog drop mechanism worked on (it was frozen, like yours). Also, unfortunately, mine had the knee mechanism disabled and there was no knee controller present; a foot controller was wired in to the back. Obviously it works, but I wish I had the knee controller. Love watching all of your videos!
Thanks for that info Kathy. I assumed the -1, -2 numerical system had meaning but was not sure.
Similar enough to a 730 so thank you for this.
I just got one of these from a collector, it sews and works and everything. The collector didn't sew on it at all (had it for almost 20 years) That you for going over how the nylon gears might wear out and how it looks when that happens. Where do you get replacement gears? Should I have some on hand? Also, would love to see how you wind the bobbin on this! I intend to use mine to sew clothing. Thanks!
You can find them on Ebay as well as from online sewing supply stores. Yours may not be cracked. It can depend on many factors including how many hours the machine has been used but also WHERE it was stored. Sewing machines like the same climate controlled comfort that we do. Extremes of heat and cold can really accelerate their aging. The replacement gears are not that costly, but the labor/time involved can be high (mostly not due to the replacement itself but the time it takes to remove other pieces to get to the gears).
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage I know that mine are not currently cracked, but I was thinking might be good to have on hand just incase. Nothing like needing parts and not being able to find them!! I currently have a 1530 and had to replace the needle pin and while that wasn't hard to do I had a moment of panic when a site said they no longer carried them - but was able to find them elsewhere. The 530 was kept in the collectors home in the main living area on display - I think it will be ok, but I plan to use it and I know it hasn't been used really in 20 or so years. I appreciate the information! Very helpful thank you!
I bought a Bernina Record 930 at an estate sale. I immediately took it to my sewing service center. They serviced the machine and told me that it was like a Rolls Royce. I do not have a manual so I haven’t used it yet.
You can find electronic copies of out of print manuals on the Bernina website. I checked, and the 930 on their website matches my original 930 exactly. www.bernina.com/en-US/Support-US/Out-of-Print-Manuals/BERNINA-manuals/BERNINA-Sewing-Systems
2 problems- the ornamental stitch selector (9 in machine book) and the needle displacement lever(13 in machine book) are not moving at all. how can I make them move? the machine works really good
th-cam.com/video/2V6c9wXpqKU/w-d-xo.html
My nan just gave me this exact Bernina with a foot pedal. She has used it ever since the 1960's to make wedding dresses for the family. I guess you can say I'm lucky to have this but I have no idea how to use it haha
How much does a Bernina 530-1 Record cost used?
That's extremely cool
Saw this video too late, I guess. Please help?? I bought a 530 record online without the privilege of testing and it looks like it might have had just one owner.
The wheel doesn’t turn when I plug on the pedal. There’s just a continuous humming sound =/
Please does this machine does straight stiches
Yes, most all sewing machines that are made for home use can perform a straight stitch AKA a lock stitch.
Once you go bernina your never the same! Lol! 🤣
Where do you recommend getting parts for our vintage sewing machines?
My husband is working on my Necchi Nora and we need the foot pedal and power cord because the original melted to the bed of the machine!
For vintage parts, I like bonanaza.com and Central Michigan sewing. But you can get new reproduction cords for most Nechhis. Try Ebay or Central Michigan to see if they have the Nora's replacement cord.
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Thank you so much for your response! I'll check those out.
Looks like a wonderful machine. Shame on Bernina engineers for using plastic gears. For the money they charged, they should have cut corners elsewhere.
I agree Ronald. Perhaps they could have made the lid and side panels out of plastic since they are not load bearing. I guess the silver lining here is that at least there are new replacements for the old plastic gears that break. Most European brands of vintage machines can be very tough to find parts for.
You keep saying these machines are "heavy" or "a beast" - have you ever checked the actual weight of any?
I have a Bernina 930 Record and I was curious about the same thing. The case fully loaded with sewing machine, sewing deck, pedal, cord and box of about a dozen feet bobbins, accessories, etc. was 35 pounds.