Adjusting the bobbin tension on the Bernina 830/820
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 8:06AM It’s so easy! Although the tension on my 830 is beautiful and rarely needs tweaking no matter what I am sewing on, there are occasions, like when sewing with monofilament thread, or doing bobbin play, where you absolutely have to adjust the bobbin tension.
No more guessing like with the old style bobbins and a set screw, with the 8 series machines, the bobbin tension moves a click at a time using the multifunction tool that comes with the machine.
First, you need to turn your hand wheel away from you (clockwise) just as you do to oil the machine, until you can easily see and access the little silver nub that adjusts the tension as shown in the picture below.
;)
That’s about 2 quarter turns of the hand wheel, or just try it while looking at the picture, and when it looks the same, you’re there!
Grab your multifunction tool, and placed the notched end over the little silver nub (the one furthest away from you). It will move 6 clicks in either direction.
;)
;)
Right is tigher;)
Left is looser
Your bobbin door cover is marked with the default settings for your machine, so don’t worry about forgetting where it should be set at. The default on my machine is one click to the left.
I’m so happy I decided to post this today, because I had my 830 serviced yesterday, and the technician left the bobbin tension set on one click to the right… I would have started sewing and not have thought to check it!
Reader Comments (15)
Great precise photos CJ. What did the tech have to say about your 830, any issures or concerns?
I've been sitting at my 830 SOLID for two days working on two projects that I'll post later today on my blog, http://sewcindy.blogspot.com/. I have to finish the embellishments first and run to the grocery store.
Hope your day is spent sewing!!
What I forgot to ask... Was there a reason you took into the tech or was it "just time" for a check?
Also, the tech must have taken care of your machine while you waited since you live so far away?
I'm looking forward to seeing your creations Cindy, I'm sure they'll be wonderful!
No problem at all with my 830, since February I've put 3.8 million stitches on it, it needed to be serviced! I also took my BSR foot up to have it upgraded to the heavier spring kit. I had to leave it as all the parts weren't in yet, they'll ship it back to me.
Yes, my dealer always serviced my machines the same day so I can return home directly after.
I also had my 630 serviced. I got an "A+ report card on them! LOL
Question - (I'm being a pest today, sorry).
I can see this post if I go "From My Studio" in the upper right hand corner of this page. However, Is there anyplace else where your "first-time" posts on a topic are listed? I went and looked under Bernina 8 Series (on the side bar) and this original post is not listed there. I can go to "tags" at the bottom of your post and weed through the category I think it'd be listed in to find it. though.
The reason I ask is because I know, for me, I would like to go back to former posts to reread them but that would have me going through ALL your posts in the "From My Studio".
I guess my point is in all this is that will you have the "TAGS" listed somewhere eventually?
Is this clear as mud or what? LOL
I'll now go retreat to my corner.
Not at all Cindy, I appreciate your help! I want the site to work well and be easy to find what you're looking for!
I've added an "Archives" page, over on the right by the login link. Click on it and tell me if that's what you had in mind?
Yes (she says as she hangs her head)
I'm assuming that was there and I never saw it. (she types as she STILL hangs her head)
LOL
No it wasn't! I added it when you made the brilliant suggestion! :)
Yep, that's me..................Brilliant.............especially when I'm sleeping....LOL
I'm retreating now.
I had a new Bernina 830 and the bobbin continually jammed up during sewing and embroidery - always getting error msgs. Took it back for a 730. Did anyone else have this problem. Fran
Not at all Fran, are you positive you had it threaded correctly? My 730 was a lot more finicky than my 830 is. Also, some of the 830's (mostly earlier ones) had some issues with the bobbin assembly and can be replaced.
I, too, live a couple of hours from a dealer and am having problems with my BSR foot on my 820. I've had it to the shop several times. We finally resolved some tension problems but now it stops stitching and skips stitches when I move the fabric backwards. Of course, with free motion you do that a lot. I could cry. My Christmas gifts didn't get finished and I had to make lame excuses for this dad-blasted machine and will be driving it in to town and be without it for a week (again)!
Has anyone had this issue with the BSR? Any suggestions?
Hi Sue,
Bernina has come out with a heavy duty spring upgrade for the BSR foot when being used on the 820/830 machines, that should take care of the skipping.
I have had the same problems with the hook and the BSR. Replacing the spring did not cure the skipping, it made it worse. The bobbin assembly likes to grab the upper thread, shredd it, and break it. Then I have to carefully clean out the bobbin assembly. I no longer use the BSR. I will be taking the machine back to the dealer to see what can be done with the hook system.
You are the best! I spent quite a (very long) time trying to lower the bobbin tension and ... no success. Suddenly I remembered your wonderful tutorials. Now I understand what I have to do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Without you I would still look at the pictures in the manual and still not understand what I am supposed to do..
Carmen
Bonjour,
On m'a dit qu'il existe un tableau pour la tension selon le fil utilisé. J'aimerais bien savoir où le trouver afin de l'imprimer.
Merci
Ginette