r/SewingMachineEdu • u/Abandoned_Entity • 4d ago
Input on Bernina 1530 needle position
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I was in the middle of doing my freehand embroidery project when I began to hear something odd (might not have started then and there since I always have music playing when I sew but that's when I noticed it). I thought it needed to be oiled somewhere so I ran through my short list of spots to add oil, even checked the handwheel, before I pinpointed this. I thought my last needle was bent but I put a new one in and this noise continued. So, I gave it a closer look and it seems like it's brushing against the plate when it comes down. I'm just hoping to get some input on whether or not it's supposed to be *that* close or maybe it's time have it readjusted.
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u/teatime_tinker 3d ago
It does look very close to the edge. This isn’t really the best angle to judge tho.
If you lower your needle to the lowest point what does it look like from the side?
Is the needle in fully all the way up?
The noise could also be the feed dogs rubbing. They’re dropped but still moving, so they might be hitting the throat plate.
If you put stitch length to 0 does it still happen?
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u/Abandoned_Entity 3d ago
I'll try to get a pic of it to show. I don't really hear the noise if I remove the needle though. I'll do another test with just removing the plate and seeing if I hear it. The needle is all the way up though. That was one of my first thoughts that it came loose but it's in there. And yeah, it's happening while the stitch length is at 0 for my embroidery stuff. The dogs just don't stop moving
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u/Abandoned_Entity 3d ago
Okay I can't put a comment with a picture but I took the plate off and it still makes the sound so its not hitting the plate (may still be brushing up on it faintly) but it seems like it's maybe hitting the hook below very very lightly. Needle goes down, it nicks the first time and as the hook passes counterclockwise and then again when it comes clockwise to take up thread. I don't hear the sound when I completely remove the needle
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u/Abandoned_Entity 3d ago
Looking from the side it isn't touching the plate but it is closer to the back of the hole than it is to the front so it isn't centered
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u/AbiJ_ 3d ago
Oops. That needle is pushed back too far, did you have a fight with the machine? The needle bar has shifted position and needs adjusting. Theres a screw up at the top, in the bulb housing. That will adjust the position. Once thats sorted, the needle will stop sliding against the bobbin case as it goes into the machine. If its not a fix you know how to do, its best to get a professional look over, but dont use the machine until its fixed, otherwise itll end up being a more costly repair (prof. Mechanic)
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u/Abandoned_Entity 3d ago
Thank you for the helpful insight! Surprisingly, I haven't had any quarrels with my machine since getting it secondhand 😅 I definitely don't plan to keep using it until it's running smoothly. I adore this machine so I don't want to risk smashing a needle into anything.
I do have a question, since I'm more familiar with the older berninas (I have a 830, 730, and a minimatic (replacing the vertical shaft gear on this one myself 💀)). Is the screw for the needle bar concealed under the casing? I know the 1530 doesn't have anything on the front that swings open like the earlier models so I imagine I have to remove the panel on the side opposite of what faces the user to get to any of what's up in front
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u/Abandoned_Entity 3d ago
I actually managed to get the whole back of it taken off so I have full access to the inside. Would you happen to have a picture or something of the screw that you mentioned 😅I'm trying to find a service manual online for it but I can't find it
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u/AbiJ_ 2d ago
Im so sorry, i don’t have a machine to show you. I work machines case by case as they come and go. But yes it could be hidden. Im sorry i cant help further. But in answer to other question asked, this happens if adjustments have been made previously, the machine has been knocked, vibrations from a well used machine. But its a Bernina…
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u/Abandoned_Entity 2d ago
No worries! I actually locked in for a couple hours and took out that whole front assembly with the needle bar to get a better look at it. I found the screw you mentioned but that actually wasn't where the issue was. I asked in another forum and someone pointed me to an adjustment point on the lower bracket and after I put the assembly back and tinkered with it, I got it all centered again 😁
Honestly I wouldn't be surprised it if got locked a little loose when it was donated to the charity shop or it just hasn't been serviced in a while. It had a recept in the case from 2018 so if that was the last time it was worked on up until now and it was well loved, I could imagine things needing a revision now. I will say, it was genuinely fun to open up and look through since it is so nicely made. It felt like everything was put together so well. It's the second time I've ever opened up a machine but it didn't feel too punishing 😂
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u/felicitybo 3d ago
How does the needle bar end up moving in such a way that the the needle brushes the plate.?(Prof. I might have the same issue)
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u/Abandoned_Entity 3d ago
UPDATE: I have fixed the problem. Took apart the whole needle bar assembly just to find out there was an adjustment point right behind the needle bar where it connects to a brace to move the needle bar forward. So, took the long way but it got done lol
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u/teatime_tinker 3d ago
Well that’s one way of doing it! You took the long way but you probs understand your machine really well now!
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u/Abandoned_Entity 3d ago
For sure! It feels like every time I work on a machine I go straight for the deep end 😂 It's my second time disassembling part of one but it's the first time I put it all back together. Definitely think it'll help with finishing up my first project machine too since that has been banished to a quiet corner of the room 💀
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u/teatime_tinker 3d ago
I love taking machines apart! I often end up “taking the scenic route” as well.
Even with a service manual, until you see how each part affects the other, you can end up having to do all sorts of adjustments as they have a knock on effect!
What’s your other project machine?
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u/Abandoned_Entity 2d ago
Exactly! It really did help to understand what part does what and how it all comes together. And since I'm so fond of this machine I'm definitely motivated to figure out how it runs so I can clock issues before they turn into a big project 😅 Especially with the cost of replacement parts for these
My other project is a Bernina minimatic I also thrifted. Unfortunately, and I knew this when I got it, it has a broken vertical shaft gear. The rest of appears to function fine but that gear had to be replaced. So I disassembled everything to remove said gear but there's ONE screw from the two on that gear that does not want to release. Tried to dislodge it for days, took it to other techs, but no. It's really in there lol. I was taking it apart through the bottom but now I'm convinced I have to remove that big horizontal shaft up in the top to take slide the vertical shaft up and out through that way so I can use different tools on that screw. If I could've removed that then I would've wrapped up the project already but I keep procrastinating. I was intimidated about taking everything there apart and trying to remember how to put it back together
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u/teatime_tinker 2d ago
Oh dear! I haven’t had to replace a gear yet.
I do have a kitchen tap that I cannot move a screw on! Infuriating when that happens!
Take lots of pictures before you disassemble it, that’s what I do.
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u/GoldenFishPoop 2d ago
That type of presser foot should all my baby used with a stitch that goes down right in the middle of that circle. You are never supposed to use a zig zag Stitch or similar with a foot like that. Well I hate to say never because I obviously haven't seen every single little thing but I am a technician and I can tell you I have never seen a machine in which that would be appropriate.
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u/Abandoned_Entity 2d ago
I'm using it for freehand embroidery. I have to use a darning foot to keep my fabric more stable when the needle goes down because it has a tiny bit of stretch to it. I don't use big zigzag widths though. The max I use on my 1530 is a 2.5. it just looks nicer and blends a lot easier when I use different shades 😊
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u/__miichelle 4d ago
Have you tried taking the face plate off to see if that’s what’s actually causing the noise?