Together with my wife, we have a small company near Oslo in Norway. Here she have her online sewing courses and I repair sewing machines, embroidery machines and overlock machines. In addition, I 3D Prints spare parts for several different old sewing machines. I sell these parts from my online shop 3dsewingparts.com
The videos I post here are mainly technical, where I deal with different problems and the solutions. In addition, I want to show some of the different machines I service or repair in my daily work.
Repairing sewing machines is great fun! I hope these videos will be interesting and helpful if you work on repairing sewing machines, do it as a hobby, want to start, or just find it interesting to watch.
I love this video! Thank you. My Bernina repair guy asked me if I ever use the long stitches. I said no so he didn’t repair it. Does it affect anything else to leave it stuck? Also, how can I get the tension indicator to be in the center when the stitches are balanced. Unfortunately my wonderful repairman passed way so can’t take it to him any more.
Great video and I hope to buy a Bernina 930 some time, My question is: did you make or buy the turn table in the video. I'd love to make one and would like to know what type of bearing does it use? If you purchased it, then I wouldn't mind knowing where I can get one too. Thank you so much iama
Thank you very much. I made it myself with a swivel plate from a living room chair. Works very well and can withstand high weight. If you go to Amazon and search for "boat seat swivels" you will find many good swivel plates that you can use. Good luck!
Thanks a lot for the video! I have a problem with the feed teeth. I removed the screws that fix the plate to the small rod and I'm uncapable of putting them correctly so the button that takes them down and up doesn't work anymore. I don't know if you could show how to properly mount that specific piece of the machine. There are two small plates below thet clench with the upper part around other pieces and it may be that I'm positioning them wrong. Can you help me with some advice on how to fix it? Thanks
You are a good mechanic for sewing machines, and your workshop is an organized dream! Please don't speak like a dying man with your last breath, wheezing, indecisive, and full of ums, errs, uhs. Clean up the speech and let that match your expertise. It is painful to hear you talk. Even at speed 2, it is dragging along like a zombie. Surely not!
Hello, I'm a textiles teacher with a Bernina 1008 foot pedal that has stopped working. Not sure if its age or problems with electricity surging in the classroom, as I have had 5 or 6 go this year. Its costing us 30 quid a time to fix them and new pedals are selling for over £100. Is there a replacement circuit board I can buy?
Hi! I have repaired several such pedals for schools and there is one problem that is common. When the pedals fall to the floor, a large coil is knocked loose and one of the legs breaks. The coil has the designation CH on the printed circuit board. The result is that they stop working. It is possible to repair this error with a small wire and soldering iron. A new coil is usually not necessary. At least I've managed to fix all the ones I've had with this problem :)
Like others have said Thanks for the video, Safety Capacitor had gone on my Prisma 990, I bought the Capacitors and diodes from your web site, (great service delivery was quick) The machine runs great now. I know I only needed the safety capacitor but as I was taking the machine apart made sense to change ad much as I could if one has gone maybe others are due to go. (Ive not used a soldering Iron for about 40 years but it was a pretty easy task thanks to the video)
Fantastic video. Best one I've seen. I did everything you said and now how do you install it into machine? How do you set gear against drive shaft correctly??
I am going to make a video about installing the pattern selector unit and how to adjust the timing needle-sigzag and adjusting the needle position. Look out for that ;)
What problem does the worn carbon pins create? My Nova has no speed control, it’s all or nothing. Wondering if checking and changing the carbon pins in my foot control would fix my issue.
If it's all or nothing it usually is the triac on the motor controller PCB in the machine. You can test if it is the carbon pins by removing them, assemble the foot controller, and test it. If it runs on max speed it is the triac.
Very nice video! I have got a bernina 530-2 record and it happens to have the same exact problem. The pedal is older (the beige one). Could you please send me a link of what kind of capacitor I need to buy? Thanks a lot 🙏♥️
I have a Bernina Nova 900 and the pedal stopped working. Upon inspection the carbon pins were broken, just installed new pins and still not working. I opened the plug and all the connections are intact. I will order your 3D printed plug if I can troubleshoot the pedal. I used a multimeter and tested the voltage with it plugged in at the plug, the microswitch goes from around 4.5 V to 0.00V when the pedal is activated. The variable resistor is 0.0V and when activated jumps to about 3V and then drops to around 1.5V. Any suggestions on what I'm overlooking?
Thank you for posting this excellent video. I am working on a 980 that has a few problems and I decided to replace the capacitors using the kit you provided. The mainboard caps will be easy. When I opened up the power supply, I found that the transformer is entirely sealed into the plastic case with epoxy, rather than screwed in place. The power supply pcb does not have access to the caps on my version and seems thus quite irreparable. Perhaps this is useful information for someone else. Also by the way - I need a carry handle for a 980 to replace the broken one on my unit. Please reply if you know where I can get one. (Scrap will be fine.)
In some PRISMA power supply the transformer are molded into the plastic. You have to desolter the transformer to access the PCB and the other components. I do not know where to get new carry handles so I am working on making a 3D printed handle. When I am satisfied with the quality you can buy them on 3dsewingparts.com :)
Thank you for posting! I did not have any problems with this machine but wanted to take it apart for a comprehensive clean and oil. Your video helped remind me how to take it apart. Afterward, I reset the tension and it is not only stitching beautifully, but the machine runs like butter and is so quiet. A wonderful machine.
I have this same pedal that was intermittently working but doesn't work at all now. I have tested all the wires for resistance, they seem fine. I have tested the micro switch, it seems fine. I pulled the carbon pins out and both are broken in half. They were touching the plate but hoping that is the problem. Just ordered some, thanks for the video.
I have repaired several of this model the type 232. Some are easy like the video but some the carbon brushes will fly out of the black plastic arm. I used a thin .045 metal shim to hold them down so they wouldn't,t fly out from the springs then carfully slide it back into place. I also un hook the springs this allows the arm with brushes to exstend out past the circuit board making it far easier to install the board back in place.I lay the pedal on it,s side with the circuit board facing up it will be on the top side of the pedal.This also ensures the carbon brushes don,t fall out.
Dear SEWREPAIR, Thank you for this great and impressive Video! If I may add a little advise, I made myself, out of Aluminium angle, a set of standard holes, in Millimeter steps, which helps when punching out small pins or shafts. It is old practice from repairing difficult items like Cine Film projectors, clocks and sewing machines. Thank you again!
Hi! -> making a lower voltage for the LED on top and in front of the machine. -> give the motor DC voltage and controlling the speed. -> controlling the needle stop function and needle up/down with the heel tap function on the foot controller.
Great demonstration. At 4:58 time on the vid there is a hook like mechanism - bottom left - which oscillates back and forth; and tensioned by a small spring. On my machine, this spring has come off the metal arm. I would be grateful for any tips on how to hook it back on. Also, what exactly does it do..
Thank you for this video maybe I can come closer to repair my 990S which has been standing for years when I did not come further. The transformer in the power supply is epoxied into the plastic cover - no screws. But from the video I can see what is on the other side, and I could get the PCB away by desoldering the transformer. I will clean and recap, just like in the video, and hope it will work after that. Originally the electronics work but the motor does not spin.
Thank you for your feedback! Yes, on some of the power supplies the circuit board must be soldered by the transformer to get to the components. A little more work, but not difficult. If the engine doesn't run, I would have tried changing the transistor BDW94 (remember the kapton tape). But I would put in new capacitors first ;) Good luck with the repair!
Thank you for the nice feedback! I use an overhead microscope and iPhone Pro Max. I have also tried other cameras I have since the video files are so large that they quickly fill the phone's memory.
Great video, I aspire to repair a 990 that isn't turning on, and upgrade a 980, for heavy duty stitching work/repairs to some of my hobby items in canvas and light leather. Have a model 1200 too. I do have some formal training in electronics repair, but not alot of experience. I've repaired a few old radios and such when you can see what burned out. Thank god I found this video, I have the confidence in fixing the 990 and making reliable the old 980.
Good to hear you will get the sewing machine fixed. Often if it does not turn on it is the power supply. If the power supply is defective, it is often due to the capacitors on the motherboard. The diode on the input on the motherboard also tends to break. I have posted the electronics schematics for the PRISMA power supply on my website, and am working on creating a schematics for the 980/990 motherboard. You can see them here: www.syrep.no/repair Good luck! :)
Sorry but that is verry hard to tell without making a longer video. It is so many parameters that plays a role. Maybe I am going to make a video about that..? :)
Just came across this video. I am so impressed with your attention to detail and your knowledge about all the parts. I have that same machine and have replaced the circuit board once. Told by the tech when I took it in for service that the next time it goes, I will not be able to get the part any longer from Bernina and they will not install one bought elsewhere 😢. Wished it is possible to find someone local that is so knowledgeable as you. Thank you for filming the video.
Thank you for your feedback! Unfortunately, there are not many people who repair the electronics on sewing machines. Most people just replace the print cards, which is a shame since the fault in most cases is just a simple component that is still possible to obtain. Hope the videos I make show that there is still hope for the old sewing machines.
Hello, I just ordered the electronic parts for my 930. I saw that some of them have a negative/positive pole--is it indicated on the part which is which? I don't want to install them backwards. Thank you.
Hello! Thanks for the order! I will improve the assembly information that you can find on the product page. I am happy for such feedback, because then I know what I can improve. The assembly information will be improved before you get the components :)
This was such a helpful video, thank you. I’ve been struggling with a Bernina 910: sews beautifully but it carries on stitching 2, maybe 3 stitches when I lift my foot off the controller, and the heel tap just lifts the needle one whole stitch, ie if needle is down the heel tap lifts it out and puts it back down again. So I infer I have a problem with the controller? Do you agree?
It's hard to say, since it could be several things. The easiest thing is to first try with a different foot controller, and see if the problem is solved. There may also be problems with the electronics or it needs a mechanical adjustment. Sorry I don't have a clearer answer.
Hi, Thanks for video. I got my Huscuvarna Classica 100, and it is sewing great. In the manual that comes with the machine it shows in diagram that machine has upper and lower thread cutters but I am unable to find upper thread cutter. Watched the videos about Classica and Optima and people are using scissors, Does your machine has thread cutters?
1:54 Just a friendly observation… but you should buy some pantyhose…. To put over the end of your vacuum nozzle… just in case something tiny gets sucked up that you might want to keep, or find again 🤗 If nothing, then you just reverse the sock and suck away as normal, but just commenting that it might save some tears one day 🤗 I always use some when I use mine… just in case 😂 Oh… and P.S. Loved the vid 🤗🤗🤗 And how organised your tools are 🤗
Thank you so much for sharing this detailed servicing. I picked up this model from an estate sale a few months ago for $50. It is my first machine and I couldn't be happier so far. I spent my first sewing day with it removing all the lint from beneath the needle plate and the bobbin case area. It had about as much lint as the one you cleaned here built up inside. I remember wondering how many years were marked by the layers, like rings of a tree. I was amazed that mine started up at all after that! Though, I did immediately notice a burnt smell to it and now the mystery is solved. I'll have to for sure replace the capacitors and investigate the electronics more thoroughly with a professional. I'm so grateful for your video - thanks again. I came across it because I was trying to find the name of the back cover for the free arm that has the metal tension brace inside? When I pulled this off, I noticed the two plastic teeth that hold the metal brace were also broken. Poor thing. I'm hoping to figure out a way to fix or replace that, too. I cannot wait to get it back in service like new again. I simply love everything it can do. I can't believe I was embroidering with it just a few weeks ago. I must've really pushed it to its final limits...
I have a Bernina 930 that was passed down by my wife's grandmother and I love it. The only problem now is that when it encounters something difficult (like more than a single layer of cotton material, or a fold) the clutch kicks in and I have to start it again with the hand wheel. I took it to my local Bernina dealer and they had it for weeks, they said they see the problem but don't know what it is! They tightened the screw in the handwheel and sent it back. It's still doing the same thing. Have you seen this symptom before? It's driving me mad!
I haven't run into problems with it kicking in with heavier or thicker materials. But I'm thinking a bit about a possible electronic problem, with it happening when the engine runs a little heavier (as I understood it). First check with another foot controller, just to be sure. A foot controller that has fields the variable resistance in the pedal drops down to 0 ohms, you will be able to experience this. I have also experienced that by replacing the 0.47uf electrolytic capacitor, that function got repaired. Of course it can also be mechanical, so check that the clutch runs freely (not oil), and that the other mechanism that controls the needle stop function runs easily and freely.
Thank you so much @sewrepair . I will see if I can get a pedal converter and use a different pedal. I don't have a spare original pedal. Do you have people from the U.S. send you stuff to repair or is it logistically difficult?
Thank you for the nice feedback! In the red oil bottle is a thicker oil that I use in places where it is more appropriate than the usual thin oil. OY 100 - Bernina No. 002 779.70.01
