CLIENT PROJECT SERIES #5: The Secret to Bernina Sewing Machine Power: Taking a Peek Under the 'Hood'

[@vaccavo]

Many thanks for all the videos. I bought one in Brasil. I would have to install the belts, which I feel uncomfortable to, but I will follow all of the directions given. Many many many thanks, again.

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Thank you for showing this and explaining this important issue regarding gearing of the motor. I do not know who was first to start use this speed reducer. I think the Elna Grasshopper was early too. Husqvarna started to use principle with the class 20 in 1953. But Husqvarna on top of that got a slow gear reducing speed about 4 times more with impressive much more power to penetrate heavy fabric. I have tried a DIY speed reducer on a Singer 201k and 237, and you get a much more powerful and controllable machine by that. Thanks for the information about Continental. I do not think this company produce these small black V-belts anymore. But Optibelt and Pix do. Black V-belts got better performance than lug belts and round belts.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Necchi also used speed control and the engineering was great, but some parts have no modern replacements.

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage I asked a collector of Vintage Necchi machines. He replied, that he has not seen a belt speed reducer inside a Necchi machine like you see with Elna, Husqvarna and Bernina. Do you mean that the electrical speed control of the vintage Necchies was better?

[@bluedeva]

I absolutely love my Bernina 807, she can tackle every task and sews the best quality stitches all the time. My family are tailoress’s and thankfully passed on their skills. We only ever use Bernina’s minimatic 807’s, 1008’s, the only newish machine was the the 800DL over locker/serger and for leather or upholstery it has to be the Singer 99k or 201k. Nothing beats the full metal machines, personally I won’t buy into the plastic fantastic overly computerised machines as they just can’t cope, they are so sluggish and slow. Also when an error message pops up that’s it, it has to go in for repair. All of our machines are serviced by www.bambersew.com a family run sewing machine shop in Manchester, as Steve and Allen were both taught by Bernina how to build and maintain all the bernina machine ranges from over the years and they are really good on price and are super helpful for any sewing machine advice. These shops as you say are becoming so rare and when you find a good one, we have to support them especially with everything going online. Thank you so much for helping so many people that maybe can’t find a shop like bamber’s so they can maintain and repair their full metal sewing machines. They really are worth taking care of and are the best tools for making beautiful, well made, durable garments and homewares.

[@kekeliahiable6775]

I’ve been looking for a reliable repairer to help me service and fix a bernina 707 I just bought. Thanks so much for the recommendation.

[@martenango7659]

Thank you for a very helpful video! I have taken the side and motor lid off, and my motor is a little bit different. Do the motor need oil? There are two red dots on my motor.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes Marte, but ONLY SEWING MACHINE OIL. Also be sure to not over oil. Just one drop at each hole that sometimes has red mark by it. If you are not sure, see my video on how to locate the oiling hole for this type of motor. NOTE: Not all motors require oil. Some require grease lubricant and others are sealed with no lubrication options. Here is the link to the video I'm referring to. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6fHd6WCaKyfd7c

[@vaccavo]

Following your video, O could reach the belts, and they're ruined. I will have to ask a technician to install the two that came with the Bernina. Yesterday, I purchased a Husqvarna Zig Zag. Anither challenge.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for sharing

[@YannaMichaelides]

Can I have a wire diagram on how to recconect my berninas 707 motor on to my machine? Any info would be of a great help. Thank you in advance

[@cathyfrancis1636]

What type of penetrating oil did you use to loosen the button hole zigzag button and the satin stitch knob on the machine. I have been using Kanokril and a hair dryer and it isn’t giving. Thank you

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I tried numerous Penetrant brands that I keep on hand, but the one that finally got it going was Liquid Wrench. HOWEVER, be mindful that this product has something similar to Kerosene in it and it is VERY pungent in smell and does not evaporate as easily as others. I would not want it inside the house if you are sensitive to smells.

[@cathyfrancis1636]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Will Kerosene work as well? I already have that.Really have enjoyed this as I purchased a 530. Worst problem I have is the knee lever is missing the bottom joint

[@MrDonohoo]

I have aquired one of these awesome machines, but the machine sat unused for so long the belts are stuck in an oval shape. Do you have a source for new belts? I've tried my local Bernins store and other sewing machine shops, and no one can get a belt replacement. One shop had the right length belt, but its wider than the factory belt it hits the housing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@bluedeva]

You should contact bambers sewing machines they are based in manchester uk but will ship parts. If possible call them and ask to speak to Steve or Allan they were trained over at Bernina on all of their sewing machine ranges I’m sure they will be able to offer some advice or be able to track down the parts you need. They are super reasonable on price too www.bambersew.com

[@ronalddevine9587]

May have been the first marketing blunder in Bernina's history. Totally agree with you on Kenmore 158-1941, and the old tried and true Singer 66.

[@Dre-in-PA]

So, if it did need new belts, how would that go?

[@wayneessar7489]

Loosen the bolts holding the motor, also the handwheel will need to come off and finally a clip, shaped like an 'e' holds on the middle pulley. Going back together, first the belt goes over the handwheel and that is pushed back into place. The clutch knob holds it on. Next the belt is looped around the middle pulley and that one pushed back on. The machine has a tension adjustment for the belt so look in your accessory box for the hex key or Allen wrench. Make sure the tension is reduced. Put the clip back on the middle pulley. Finally gently angle the motor so you can get the belt around the motor pulley and the middle one. Refasten the motor bolts. Turn the handwheel to make sure everything looks good. Using the hex key gently adjust the belt tension. Use your eyes, just gently snug it up. After a while it may need a little more turning but really tight is not good. This sounds much more complicated than it is in real life! Take pictures along the way if your hesitant and all will be well!

[@Dre-in-PA]

@@wayneessar7489 Thanks for the help Wayne. Not 100% for the 1957 530 I have, but I will look harder at how the middle pulley is attached. It looks like I have two set screws. My tensioning adjusts with screwdriver, through holes in the middle pulley to reach through, nearer the chassis. Fingers crossed my belt source is correct on sizing.

[@flugfiskenorden]

​@@Dre-in-PA Hi sir! How dit it go? I have the same problem with my bernina, and I cant find any info on it online! So I would be rally glad if you could help me out :)