This Beautiful BERNINA 117 is Seized. Can it be Revived?

This Bernina 117L may look beautiful but it is seized rather tightly.
This video covers methods for tracking down where the seizure is, as well a a look around this beauty.
Video details listed in the index below.
Please consider supporting the channel at Patreon - / sewingmachines
Web Site - www.institches.co.nz
Index:
0:00 - Introduction
0:42 - Checking the motor
2:50 - There's a split in the power cord insulation
3:17 - Removing the machine head from the base
3:58 - Checking top shaft for seizure
4:29 - Checking vertical shaft for seizure
6:19 - Lubricating lower shaft bearings
11:22 - Carefully heating up some bearings
12:54 - Lubricating the top end of the machine
14:17 - All lubrication points as in the manual
15:20 - Explaining the base positioning finger
16:20 - Still partially seized but maybe getting better
18:03 - Lubricating the bottom end of the machine
20:26 - Removing the presser foot and throat plate
21:36 - Motor mounting and checking motor brushes
22:44 - Testing under power
23:47 - Where to from here?
24:46 - Conclusion and thanks

[@alp-1960]

The engineering and build quality of this is just amazing. I hope you can get it going.

[@tomobedlam297]

Finally my belovèd Bernina 117L comes up! My ones motor died and I've transplanted it in a Singer treadle cabinet. It sews but the decorative stitches are a bit of a workout when treadling.

[@randyc8171]

I use a needle syringe and alcohol on suspected froze bushings. It frees them up instantly so then you know which to flush out and apply new oil.

[@bookbeing]

This is one of the most gorgeous machines I've ever seen! Wow!😍

[@mjremy2605]

A gorgeous machine, wow! Such a privilege to see it. It is in beautiful condition. These always get gummed up from old oil. Many thanks to the owner of this fabulous sewing machine for sharing it with us. Viewers: Note that you can use Sea Foam (petroleum distillates) or Carb Cleaner (acetone + toluene) on gummy metal parts where there is no plastic, rubber and not on any painted parts. It won't hurt powder coated parts only painted ones. These are both automotive products used for cleaning car engines. With really bad seizing, spray Sea Foam and leave it on for a day or two to dissolve all the gunk. Works very well. So does carburetor cleaner. Both have toxic vapors so work outside only. You can make your own penetrating oil with 1:1 Acetone and Automatic Transmission Fluid (no plastic no paint). In fact this formula works better than the leading penetrating oil brand. Scrub down with Mineral spirits after that and then lube with Triflow Silicone lube, and grease the gears with Triflow Synthetic Silicone grease.

[@katehead5356]

Do you just spray inside and let it dry I’ve just got one of these and it’s so full of rank grease

[@carolynrogers1510]

Oooo so pretty, I just acquired my 117 at Xmas, and it is motorless. Man they are soooo heavy.

[@T3LF]

hahaha i bought one recently too... agree is it heaaaaavy

[@jill552]

Enjoyed the diagnostics.

[@krystleroy3068]

She will live ❤

[@creamberry]

Looks lovely! ❤

[@451mijo]

Only one of my three Bernina 117, had a similar problem. Petroleum seems to be the best cure. But I started to clean it from up to bottom. Removing the wheel can ease access to the main shaft which may be stuck. In my case, the upper transmission stuck was the cause of the problem. And the best advice, already mentioned in the comment, is PATIENCE. Good luck!

[@InStitches]

Thanks. I got it sorted - see later video. Cheers.

[@martinstock-mechanischemirakel]

Love this video! As to the gears, do they mesh like they're supposed to, or could it be that at some time in the past someone set them too tight, leaving no play at all? Just a thought that popped up when I heard that grinding sound ... Cheers, Martin

[@InStitches]

Hi. I checked the gears and they all have the appropriate backlash. I think the grinding is just the gears straining to drive the tight shaft. Thanks.

[@InStitches]

Hi Martin. You might be interested in watching my next video. Your comment got me thinking and after reviewing my footage I realised I hadn't checked the backlash on the gears near the hook. Spoiler - turns out it was the problem. Easy fix in the end. Thanks for jogging my memory.

[@acrozwanenmeer]

I have two Bernina 117 L but both of time. Would you help me to fix this problem so I can use them again please please please

[@rmcdaniel423]

This is one of my all-time bucket list machines. I have NEVER seen one come up for sale anywhere near me. Meanwhile this guy is like " . . . I've got a spare I've never even used." le sigh

[@jonathanmoeg1202]

I've got one of these. It also has an English motor (STJ brand). Perhaps Bernina left it to local markets to provide the motors? Look forward to further videos on this model, especially if you can demonstrate the finer points of the ziz-zag. As far as I can tell, from the manual and online, you can adjust it while you are sewing to make fancy stitches. There's also an optional 'automatic' attachment at the rear (which mine has) but I don't know how it works. Any experimentation stopped when the caps went in the foot controller and it ran away on me. It's a lovely thing though, built like a tank and very smooth.

[@manusholm3536]

good day. i have one of these little green numbers. im strugeling whith hook timing and at what hight the neadle barr should be when the hook comes around. also tend to not pull the top thread up all quick enough and when the hook makes its second turn catches the thread some times. intresting that the hook swings 2 times ion each stroke. do you have any referance to set the timing?

[@catzdollz9810]

I've been waiting for YEARS, for a video that deals with a seized sewing machine! I've got 16 machines in this condition, because of improper storage!! I need help!

[@vaccavo]

WD-40. Spray spray spray. Daniel Mancuzo can help, too. I fixed more than 10 sewing machines, following his and Gufer's (Gustavo Hernández). directions. Gustavo taught me to mix Singer oil and kerosene 50/50. It helps with the cleaning of the metals. Good luck!

[@SH1974]

Look for thread tangeled around the axis that drives the hook mechanism or behind the hook, I bet the problem is there. Let oil penetrate overnight(s), give those old ladies a few days & nights for the reanimation process. And don't spin a not smooth moving machine that much by almost overstressing the motor. That's not good for the seized spot, nor is it for the motor. The problem needs to be solved, not grunt. ;) Living in Switzerland, I've brought around a dozen 117's back to life, (currently own 3 of them) and this one looks good. I hope she will sew soon.

[@InStitches]

The tangled thread is a good suggestion but it's not the cause. I did check that but didn't cover that in the video. I was careful to not over-stress the motor, that's why I left it overnight. I could solve the problem by removing the shaft but the customer doesn't want to proceed because of cost.

[@vaccavo]

Happy 2024. My thread take-up lever is broken. Do you happen to know where I can find it? Or if there is a way to adapt from another model? Thanks in advance.

[@andrewmandywilsontatham49]

They are beautiful machines. When I first saw mine and picked it up, I thought "Hulk". The word you're looking for as a descriptor is Robust. Certainly is. Mine is a 117K, and has a direct drive motor mounted vertically under the handwheel. I need a new rubber tyre for it, any suggestions?

[@InStitches]

Not sure I've ever seen what you're describing so I can't help you there sorry.

[@andrewmandywilsontatham49]

@@InStitches I will send a photo, and it's a Swiss motor. Beautiful! Took it to our local gasket place today, they are making me a new tyre for it. But the girl took the drive grub screw out and promptly dropped it into the motor! Had to take the motor off, and tip it upside down to retrieve it. The wiring looks as if it will power the whole woolshed...

[@tomobedlam297]

That's exactly how I killed the motor on mine! 🤣 I got impatient. If I'd have waited a couple of days and let the penetrating oil work its magic it wouldn't be the treadmill workout I now have. That Sew-Tric motor is the same one I have on a 1945 Singer 201k! That's my weekend project sorted. The 201k can treadle. In Stitches to the rescue yet again! Thanks mate 👍

[@InStitches]

Thanks. You do have to be careful not to strain the motor for too long. That's why I didn't run the machine under power for too long. I've left it for a couple of days now with no change unfortunately.

[@mamiesews123]

Will this fit in a singer treadle?

[@T3LF]

Hi mate, im just triying to restore one of that machines... But i´m struggling with the balance wheel, is it so hard to turn. You know what could happen?

[@InStitches]

Sounds like the machine needs lubricating. Thanks.

[@samhenderson2947]

An air compressor seems to help to blow oil into the bearings.

[@rndea100]

can you do a full video on how to service a 306 singer an 320k singer my stich lever keeps moving when i sew its annoying even if the video is a long one like a hour or two i will watch it

[@InStitches]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3PUhmWfbL5mi5I - not a full service but covers timing. You should be able to download the manual which shows you how to lubricate the machine. Thanks.

[@catzdollz9810]

what kind of spray lubricant is that? I bought Seafoam DEEP CREEP. Still not getting any results.

[@InStitches]

It's CRC 5.56. Thanks.

[@Makatea]

This requires nothing but petroleum/lamp oil, heat and lots of patience. There may be stuck thread around the hook or elsewhere keeping it from moving freely. But if the owners are not capable of doing basic maintainance for their own historic, high-quality machines, there comes a point when it becomes too expensive to pay someone who has to earn his living doing that and his time comes legitimately at a premium. I'd be willing to adopt this machine and make it run smoothly again, if shipping isn't too expensive to Germany ;-)

[@InStitches]

Thanks for your comment. The owner only just purchased the machine second hand so maybe the previous owner had it stored badly? I'm sure the machine can be revived (and it has been as you'll see in my next video). I didn't want to spend too much time on it as my customer didn't want to invest too much in the machine.

[@r.duroucher225]

Do the gears need to be greased on this machine?

[@InStitches]

The manual suggests just oil. Thanks.

[@krystleroy3068]

Took me a week to unfreeze a singer 603 ❤

[@allanmanley6340]

Why don't you remove that shaft and clear what ever is wrong with it?

[@InStitches]

I could but my customer doesn't want to spend too much money on the machine. She is happy to have it as a display piece. Thanks.

[@eduardacampos6460]

Eu quero uma máquina desa eu moro e Belém do pará no norte