Cajoling at the Bar...
This page is written with the following situation in mind:
1. you have a Bernina 180, 200, 730
2. When you try to sew either the needle won't go up and down or the needle won't stop going up and down like when you're trying to baste, for example and the needle just keeps working even when it should be skipping in order to baste.
The problem is more than likely a lack of oil at a particular spot. These pictures will explain where to put a drop of oil and what to do afterwards.
This is a normal maintenance procedure that technicians do when cleaning and oiling your machine...but you can do this one.
First, take the face plate off--yes it's ok to do this. Use the L-shaped tool that came with your machine to do this (see second picture)
The face place will now slip off. Notice how it fits into
grooves as you take it off. Paying attention to this will make putting it
back on a lot easier. This is something you ought to do every once in a
while and then clean the inside. Put one drop of approved oil anywhere
metal rubs against metal. Now let's inspect this area much more closely
and find the magic spot where you need oil to solve the problems mentioned
above.
This picture shows the needle bar down a bit...
What you are looking for here is best described as an index finger, curled upwards. It has a hinge that attaches it to the needle bar. This hinge is the part that needs the oil, so put one or two drops of approved oil on this hinge. Then, take the eraser end of a pencil and gently push it toward the back of the machine. When you let go, it should spring back towards the front with some snappy authority. If it does not spring back then work it backwards and forwards an soon the oil will be worked into the hinge and it will start moving forwards on its own. That's what you want. From now on, do this regularly as part of your cleaning routine.
Now put the face plate back on and the problem is solved.
It just needed a bit of oil.
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