Gears of War
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 9:55AM 
My hubby occasionally plays a game called “Gears of War” on the XBox. For some reason, when I see the animation screen for jammed gears on the Bernina 820/830 machine, that silly game title always pops into my head. Probably because I read so many email posts where this screen seems to really freak folks out!
In your user manual, there is a diagram showing how to use the multifunction tool that comes with your machine to disengage the needle bar.
Does it look to you like it’s hooking into that tubular metal rod? It sure looks that way to me! But that’s not where the multifunction tool goes.
;)
What you can’t see from the diagram in the manual is the oval slot that is cut into the metal surface behind that tubular rod.
Let’s give this a whirl. Turn your machine on, and lower the needle, but raise the presser foot. Pay close attention to the direction that you have the multifunction tool inserted, as it will only fit one way.
If you insert the tool into the oval shaped opening, you will barely even touch the tool to the needle bar and the needle will raise right up. Absolutely no force is needed.
;)
The first time I did this, I poked around a bit, not realizing the needle had already raised. If you missed it, lower the needle again, raise the presser foot, and watch carefully as you insert the multifunction tool. Cool huh?
Reader Comments (5)
OK, call me stupid. Why would I want to disengage the needle bar?
Kim, take a look at the manual page I posted. Sometimes when you get a bobbin jam on the 820/830 machines, the needle bar gets stuck in the down position. You can't open the bobbin door while the needle is lowered, nor can you force the needle up with the hand wheel.
You have to manually disengage the needle bar, and then you can clean out the thread nest.
Great info, CJ. I'm one who reads her manuals....time and again.
I was at Bernina today. Guess what I came home with? An extra multifunction tool. I think they're WONDERFUL tools.......but only if you use them..LOL
I also came home with some Floriani and OESD stabilizer, some FANTASTIC fabric, new wonderful scissors (when you find a pair of "scissors" you use ALL the time, get a second pair...LOL), a wooden point turner, some 830 oil and some LONG, very pointed tweezers (when you find a pair of "tweezers" you use ALL the time, get a second pair LOL)
Absolutely wonderful CJ! Thank you very much for this. The instructions now make sense!! :-)
Thanks for this info, I sure wish I'd of known this about a month ago. I would have been spared alot of grief. I'll definitly remeber this trick.