Bernina 217 sewing machine update

[Alyson Zepeda]

The machine is degreased, oiled and operational, but I broke the only needle that fits for its current configuration so I have to get more before it is usable. It barely notices going through seven layers of heavy canvas but I broke the needle going through nine, which I think had more to do with me pulling the material to get it to feed than any limitation of the machine.

There was much less degreasing to do than it originally appeared. I'm not sure where the thick, yellow ear-waxy grease came from, but it's gone now.

The bobin reservoir is packed with bearing grease of some kind. This can not possibly be an accidental accumulation of other grease, so I am assuming it is supposed to be there, though I can't find anything specifically about that in the manual or on the Internet. It also would not be possible for the reservoir to contain any thinner grease, which I find to be more evidence that it is supposed to be there. 

I am still considering taking it in to a professional for a look over, just in case. However, it does appear to be well maintained, so since Gadget fixed the timing issue (which was really a tension issue), that's probably overkill. 

I'll be getting more needles for it soon and also posting quick set up instructions and cautions next to it for people who want to use it.

-Alyson

[Will Bradley]

Thanks for your hard work, Alyson and Gadget and everyone!

There's a sewing machine shop nearby on Sycamore and Main, I wonder if they'd help.

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[Ryan Mcdermott]

There's actually a place in Phoenix called "Bernina Connection".

I'm going to head over there after work to get some needles.

Also a word of caution on this machine: it will sew through your bones.  If you're going to do something to it (like change a needle, rethread it, etc.), you need to not only turn the machine off, but run out the flywheel as well.

Giant thank you to Bob for lending this to us!  It's awesome!

(And huge thanks to Aly for getting it running.  I know she's been doing a lot of work getting it into working order, and owning the project.  Thanks!)

-Ryan

[Bob Bushman]

You're very welcome! Happy to hear it is coming
back to life.

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[david...@gmail.com]

My experience with my dads telletype machines and other equipment is that yellow ear wax grease is factory grease

[Jasper Nance]

Cosmoline?

On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 4:35 PM, <david...@gmail.com> wrote:

My experience with my dads telletype machines and other equipment is that yellow ear wax grease is factory grease

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----------------------------------------------
Jasper Nance - KE7PHI
Creative and Scientific Imagery
http://www.nebarnix.com/

[Alyson Zepeda]

http://gallery.drfaulken.com/d/1834-1/IMG_6051.JPG

If it looks like that, then probably.

[Alyson Zepeda]

I didn't see anything in the manual about that kind of grease, only about using very light, thin, clear oil, but I didn't see anything about bearing grease for the bobbin either. Ryan and I are planning on bringing it in for a service evaluation just to make sure that everything is in order.

[Ryan Mcdermott]

AHA!  The first project on the bernina is at least finished enough to make me blush!  A utilikilt that Alyson made me.

https://secure.flickr.com/photos/hslphotosync/8743695014/sizes/l/in/photostream/

[Alyson Zepeda]

I'm taking the Bernina in to get checked out by a professional. The bobbin was making a funky noise and something has or is wearing small grooves in the casing. Doesn't look too bad but better safe than sorry :-) It will take them a couple days to get to it. I'll update when they do.

[Alyson Zepeda]

Whoops. Totally forgot to update this. My apologies.

The Bernina has been back for a while and it is beautifully tuned and oiled. I learned some good stuff from the repair shop about it's operation and maintenance too. They were pretty excited about what well-built machine it is. The repair guy said this model is old enough that it was actually made in Switzerland. I guess after the switch to wherever Bernina manufactures now (China or possibly Thailand), the quality just hasn't been the same. Anyway, it's available for use if you are comfortable with industrial sewing machines. If not, I'll be setting aside an evening where I will be available to go over basic safety, operation and maintenance with whoever is interested. Also, feel free to ask for help if I'm around or email me if I'm not.

- Alyson

[Paul Hickey]

Did he speak to the capabilities of the machine?  I know there was a question on what kind of thicknesses it could handle and what materials.

Paul Hickey

[Ryan Mcdermott]

I honestly don't think that sewing machines stronger than this one
even exist (within reason -- I'm sure there is some absurd thing for
sewing spacesuits together or something).

It's driven by a flywheel, meaning that it can deliver INCREDIBLY
amounts of force to the needle; you'll be very hard pressed to find
something to bog the motor down (if you go slow enough, that is).

It also weights about 80 lbs (just the head. Not even including the
motor or the table or anything).

[Paul Hickey]

awesome.  My cousins have an old singer at their dry cleaners and was wondering if it'd be able to do things their singer can't

Paul Hickey

[Alyson Zepeda]

The limitations on thickness and material have more to do with the strength of the needle and thread being used. Ryan is right. Between the flywheel, the weight of the machine head and the rigidity of moving pieces, the needle and thread are by far the weakest elements. Short of sewing metal thicker than a tin can (and probably rigid plastic), if you can fit it under the foot, you can sew it. I have no doubt that it would technically sew through plywood.

To be clear: you should not do that. One, it will throw off the timing, which is not a huge deal, but will require someone who knows how to fix it. I don't yet, so it would need to go back to the repair shop, which is too expensive for casual visits. Two, sewing with bad timing, besides not working, can damage the shuttle hook, which is apparently $300 to replace on that machine.

But traditional materials, like many layers of canvass, should be no problem (again, except for the strength of the needle and thread, which you can work around if you sew slowly.) It will also handle extremely delicate jobs like seams in satin and lace.

[Paul Hickey]

so you're saying I can make a beer can suit of armor?!

But more seriously thanks for all the work on this guys.  I think putting our energies and money towards quality, repairable, high duty cycle items like the sewing machine is a good move for us as a lab.  I think we've all seen how quickly we go through cheaper, crappy tools which, in some cases, can cost us more than buying good quality items, which I'd like to see us move away from.

Thanks

Paul Hickey

[Jasper Nance]

Uhh, I saw Alyson sew a piece of 1/16th inch PLYWOOD. I think beercans are going to be like butter to this machine.

[Alyson Zepeda]

Lol, yes, Jasper, both true things. Though I was basically cranking the hand wheel myself without using any power because it just had the timing adjusted and I didn't want to throw if off. I was also wearing safety glasses, which might have been overkill, but if I had accidentally engaged the flywheel, the machine is strong enough to snap the needle (potentially sending pieces flying) without ever noticing anything had gone wrong. It is a very impractical, gimmicky use of the machine and probably shouldn't be repeated. I was on the line for at least another $73 to adjust the timing and smooth out any burrs in the bobbin case if something had gone wrong. And yet, it's good to know what it's capable of ;) Things to consider.

[Webster Howard]

I just found this wonderful rugged looking machine in a barn sale can not wait to get it cleaned up and start playing with it

[Moheeb Zara]

Whats the status on the bernina?

[Jeff Covert]

I have found that most industrial machines being used by non professionals will go through a lot of needles. you may wish to put up a list of appropriate needles and have people bring in their own so you are not going broke buying needles all the time...

[Webster Howard]

It is in very nice shape I have cleaned and oiled it.   

On Sat, Jul 12, 2014 at 8:46 PM, Moheeb Zara <moh...@heatsynclabs.org> wrote:

Whats the status on the bernina?

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[Eric Hubert]

That is a wonderful looking machine!  Does it run on 220 or 110?

[Webster Howard]

this one is 110

On Sun, Jul 13, 2014 at 11:14 PM, Eric Hubert <eric....@gmail.com> wrote:

That is a wonderful looking machine!  Does it run on 220 or 110?

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[Webster Howard]

I am hoping to get time this week to thread it up and us it

[Jeyna D]

Hi all, I stumbled on this thread while searching for information on how to adjust timing on a Bernina 217 series sewing machine. I live on a tiny island and I need to repair my only sail, and the sewing machine here keeps jamming. Its a Global 217-3s but I think it's the same as the Bernina 217 and I found videos on how to thread the needle and bobbin but can't find useful information on how to adjust the hook timing which seems to be an issue. If someone can help me get the machine working, I'm certain I can talk the boss into giving you a free windsurfing session if you're even in the neighborhood of Bonaire. I would very much appreciate any help offered. Thank you!

[Rick Blake]

I just touched ours and made the best adjustment I could 

The bobbin is within the rotary hook. The hook is described the hook tip just passing the needle eye as it reaches its maximum down travel. I didn't do this, do I'm doing back to refine the adjustment. It should pass behind the needle, which when there's properly had thread from back to front.

I will take pics next time...

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