Labels

Use It or Lose It: Bernina 730 Record



This is number 12 in my collection of machines, a mid 1960's Bernina 730 Record. This machine is a heartbreaker - I have always wanted a vintage Bernina, and I found this one in a thrift store last year priced at $30 bucks. All this machine really needs to get it working is an electrician - someone wired a new light in wrong, and the cords are all messed up.

Ah, but....sadly, this machine is missing all of the accessories and allmost all of the original extras. So, even if I did get it rewired, there's no sewing bed, knee lift, extra bobbins, or any of the extra fun accessories to sew with. If I had money growing out of my ears, I'd just spend a small fortune to buy everything that is missing - or even buy a new, complete machine and use this one for parts.


Until the day when $100 bills start growing out of my ears, this little Bernina will be just a decoration in my sewing room, she keeps me company when I sew. Hi there little Bernina!

If you'd like to see some of the other machines in my collection, you can click back to read about these oldies but goodies:
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

yarndiva said…
So sad to hear it's not operable. I have this model and have to say, it's the best of all my machines. Someday it may be worth getting yours re-wired.
May 26, 2012 at 9:01 AM
mjb said…
I have an 830 and it's really great to sew on. I don't have the bed, knee lift, or very many feet either, but I love what I can do with it. There's a clunky noise when I wind bobbins, though, that has me a little worried, and the knock-off walking foot that came with it definitely doesn't work well, so I'm afraid it's picky about attachments.
May 29, 2012 at 1:32 PM
Anonymous said…
I'm looking for a motor for one of these that just was given to me...any chance you'd want to part yours out?
May 29, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Erika Mulvenna said…
Yes, I do hope one day to get it running and find some of the extras and accessories for the old Bernina. Not planning on getting rid of it or parting it out, this Bernina keeps me company in my sewing room for now!
June 1, 2012 at 11:00 AM
AG in Albuquerque said…
I'm heartbroken because my 730 just broke after 42 years of loving use. The repairman isn't sure he can find th gear I need and, at best, it will be expensive to fix. I have everything for it. If you want to get rid of yours I'd be willing to try to get it fixed. Arlene in Albuquerque.
September 3, 2012 at 3:29 PM
Erika Mulvenna said…
Hey! Read my lips, this machine is "not for sale"! I love my little BERNINA, and when the time is right I'll get her rewired and in great working order. Thanks for sharing your stories about your own 730's, but please stop asking to buy mine! Happy stitching - Erika
September 4, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Patricia said…
May I make a suggestion about your machine repair... First of all, I bought my first Bernina in 1983 and have had wonderful sewing experiences with all my different machines. My third Bernina, a 1230 broke down and couldn't be repaired by anyone. I was heartsick. Of course I had sewn YEARS with it, but I didn't want to call it quits. I loved this machine! After having it at all the different Bernina dealers, it ended up getting repaired at a Mennonite farm about 60 miles from my home. All that was needed was the motor bushings to be replaced. When it came from the Mennonite shop it ran better than the day I originally brought it home. By this time, I had already replaced it with a 440QE since all the shop owners told me my 1230 was a lost cause. So, the lesson is the older mechanical machines are amazing and ARE fixable. Maybe you need to try a new "repair shop" other than a conventional sewing centers. This past week, I purchased a 730. It runs beautifully, but it is going to the Mennonites to get cleaned and to check all the components. Happy sewing and I wish everyone could find a repair shop as wonderful as I have now.
September 14, 2012 at 8:09 PM
Maggie said…
I just found one at a thrift shop for $40. It has its case, pedal, cords and one presser foot. I oiled it up and it runs great. It was pristine inside. I'm pretty darned excited! I hope you can get yours fixed someday!
April 24, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Erika Mulvenna said…
Thanks Maggie! I am still hoping to run across some accessories for this girl one day. And by the way, I stopped by your blog and saw that you are a weaver - fabulous!
April 24, 2013 at 4:36 PM
Anonymous said…
A few years ago, my mum burnt out the motor on her Bernina. Managed to find a small company locally that could rewind the little bugger - Just because the motors are no longer available doesn't mean the machine has to be scrapped if it does pack up.
March 27, 2014 at 5:27 PM
silverarrow said…
Bernina 730 Record is a very nice machine. Unless you really need auto threading, needle down function, or see through plate over the bobbin I doubt it gets much better than this one :- ) I hope you find the case and parts for it. My moms has a case with all standard accessories; there is a tiny drawer section that flips out in the back with all the parts and place for bobbins and spoools on top. All the standard feet are still easily available.
October 4, 2014 at 5:13 PM
silverarrow said…
Bernina 730 Record is a very nice machine. Unless you really need auto threading, needle down function, or see through plate over the bobbin I doubt it gets much better than this one :- ) I hope you find the case and parts for it. My moms has a case with all standard accessories; there is a tiny drawer section that flips out in the back with all the parts and place for bobbins and spoools on top. All the standard feet are still easily available.
October 4, 2014 at 5:14 PM
Unknown said…
So in my storage room in the back of my house it's a Bernina 730 record inside of its own sewing table that was made for it it has all the accessories that anyone has ever spoken of including the owner's manuals purchase orders everything down to the last thing that was work on my wife's grandfather left it and we don't sew unfortunately so if you know anyone who might be interested drop me an e-mail and when I say all the accessories I mean everything down to the extra little feet and anything that was offered is here
May 6, 2016 at 6:58 PM
Unknown said…
So in my storage room in the back of my house it's a Bernina 730 record inside of its own sewing table that was made for it it has all the accessories that anyone has ever spoken of including the owner's manuals purchase orders everything down to the last thing that was work on my wife's grandfather left it and we don't sew unfortunately so if you know anyone who might be interested drop me an e-mail and when I say all the accessories I mean everything down to the extra little feet and anything that was offered is here
May 6, 2016 at 7:03 PM
Tracie said…
Everette Marion, I just came across this while researching the 730. I may be interested in your machine, but I can't figure out how to email you. I don't even know if you'll be alerted that I replied to your comment, but here's hoping. You can email me at traciepaulsen@gmail.com.
May 12, 2016 at 12:37 AM
Unknown said…
I an interested. My bernina 730 has a burnt out motor. EMAIL muzicone@gmail.com
August 28, 2016 at 8:05 AM
Bob Wilson said…
Our 730 Record has been with us for decades, and all I have had to replace on THIS one is the gear that drives the cam stack. I did that a few years ago, thinking the plastic gear had just dried out over the decades, but today it is broken again (the "new" one before might have been in storage somewhere for a long time) so I have a new one on order.

But directly related to the comments above: A few years ago our daughter wanted to get one "just like Mom's". I found one on ebay with the motor burned out. I bought a generic Japanese sewing machine motor and modified it to fit exactly in the Bernina, even using the foot control and all the internal wiring.

Now I am a confirmed tinkerer, and I did use a metal lathe and milling machine in modifying the new motor. So this is not a suggestion for just everyone to do the same thing. But if you know someone who can do some precision metalworking, you might be able to get a generic motor and have him/her install it.

There were several quite significant things I had to do: E.g. the armature shaft on the new motor was too long (easy to fix) and the armature core and windings needed to be moved along the shortened shaft. So I repeat you need someone with some skills, as well as some hutzpah. But such people can be found even in the modern "throw it away and buy a new one" world.
May 7, 2017 at 3:25 PM
Susan said…
Just bought one at an op shop for $100AUD. I was amazed to see it there and know this is one of the best sewing machines. Interesting to read the above comments. Susan from Australia.
August 29, 2018 at 2:21 AM
Erika Mulvenna said…
Congrats on your vintage BERNINA find Susan! I hope it's fun to sew with, cheers! - Erika
January 18, 2019 at 4:12 PM
IsaBaellchen said…
I've just found a Bernina 732 Record and can't wait to get it tomorrow. It's at an auction and I'm hoping to get for not soo much money and also that it works. I've checked and it's got quite a few feet and bobbin cases, etc. Will let you guys know what happens tomorrow and how good/bad is it.
July 16, 2019 at 9:17 AM
Erika Mulvenna said…
Hi IsaBaellchen, and thanks for stopping by my blog! Congrats on your awesome vintage BERNINA find, I hope the machine reaches you in good shape. Happy sewing! - Erika
July 18, 2019 at 11:40 AM
Post a Comment

Erika's Top Trending Posts: