My Rescued Bernina is Mended

I rescued a Bernina 1031 two weeks ago. Can I say it was filthy? It had been dropped and jammed the bobbin winder and the tension could not  be adjusted. But is was really really cheap so it followed me home to my sewing machine hospital. (Even though Ron tried to stop me!)

I love a challenge. I rarely give up on a machine that is worth saving. It is a last resort to ever part a vintage machine out. Without a really long story I repaired the tension but had to remove both the outer and one of the inner shells. The bobbon winder requires removing the mother board and I decided not to do that just now. I have my homemade bobbin winder that I use to wind all my bobbins so repairing this one just isn’t important now.

I think I am going to love this machine!

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Home crafted Bobbin Winder

I needed a bobbin winder for my mid-arm since it didn’t come with one. I asked for recommendations and got mixed reviews on the Sidewinder and the Deluxe model. Then I was told to look at the long arm bobbin winders that ranged from $89 up to $129. I looked at them, ready to bite the bullet and buy one. But anyone who knows me, knows if I can figure out how to make it myself by using recycled items that I will make it.

This was one of those times.  It looked to me like it was simply a motor and foot control with that odd looking thingy for the bobbin to wind on. I have a vintage White machine I keep for parts…one of my 90 year old father’s cast offs.  I stripped off the motor and motor mount, along with the electrical set up. Then a search on Ebay for industrial machine bobbin winders came up with the thingy for a total of $15 with shipping. !!!!  A little measuring for placement and screwing it to the board and Ta-DAAA! It may not be pretty and I can add some paint later but it does the job wonderfully.

Placed next to the mid-arm I don’t even need to have a thread stand. If I want to use it somewhere else, I just put in the arm for the thread.  The best thing about this is that it is adjustable to fit any size bobbin so I can wind all my bobbins on it.

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