I do hope you get a good solution Janet.
I've only had my 830 for a little over a month and am almost totally happy...
It made some rather unhealthy noises on Sunday evening. I had destroyed a needle a week or so earlier - ended up practically shattered - so I think there's a tiny piece of that needle somewhere it shouldn't be... And I just can't find it - so I thought I better have he technician look for it. Also told them of some tension problems I've been having.

Tuesday evening they called me because of the threads I've been using, here in Switzerland there are not that many quilters, and most of them use the regular mettler threads. The berninas here are all calibrated to that oh so popular thread for sewing... Generally they know of three types of machine threads: mettler or similar brand standard thread, then again the mettler or similar brand embroidery thread, and the serger threads...

I use almost the complete range of the superior threads, bottom line for piecing and quilting when I don't want it to show, masterpiece, king tut, the rainbows, the Ricky Tim's art... Etc. etc. most of these threads, our technicians have never even heard of... So yesterday I brought them a bag of my thread selection, a cone of each type of thread, the bobbins to go with them, the rewound bobbin donuts so they can check these out too, now they're busy playing, trying to figure out what the best calibration would be for me... My main fear is that they have so much fun with these threads that they'll get addicted to them and won't give me back my machine until they're done playing...

I hope that I'll get to use my last instruction course voucher for a course with the technician to teach me how to play with both top and bobbin tensions (here the order is that we do NOT, EVER, make changes to the bobbin tension... With my threads that will have to change and I think they're almost on to my point of view.
I must say that I'm very happy with my bernina shop, I seem to throw them some challenges, but they are doing their very best to meet these.

janet-mahoney wrote:
Oh my Janet. My experience has been so completely opposite I can't imagine what is wrong with yours. Sorry it's been so bad for you. I wonder if Bernina would replace your machine if you communicated directly with them.

I can't imagine anyone loving the Bernina 830. I was thinking of starting a support group! But I've decided to bring it back after Christmas and get something made by a different company. I cannot tell you how much I hate this machine and how much $$ it's cost me in time, aggravation and ruined projects. I'd like to sue the company, it's THAT bad!
Please don't think it's me or it's a learning curve, it is neither. It has had major surgery twice but it has never been right. Neverending error messages, it doesn't thread, it won't stay threaded, the tension is never right, embroidery come out terrible, quilting with it is a nightmare, even with the dual feed foot, the stitches are noticably uneven, it "freezes up", needing to be rebooted and loosing everything I've done so far. It comes down on it's own foot! breaking needles. This machine is a nightmare!

love that quote

It took me a while to get the tension right on mine, but I found it really was my threading. You really have to pull a bit of thread through the bobbin to get it seated. I also found if I am using a very light weight thread, like bottom line, it really needs a click to tighten it or send it through the embroidery thread method. The top thread needs adjusting on mine for some of my threads. It works perfectly for 40 wt rayon embroidery thread and for "regular" sewing thread. But I have to say, I LOVE the machine. Wishing you lots of time to play with your new toy.

Take your time with it. The Bernina USA website has great information. Your shop should have some classes. As you have questions that come up make sure and write them down to ask your dealer.
Watch the Bernina sites for software updates for your tech to do.

Thanks so much for the advice. I am looking forward to using this machine. I did re-thread the machine this morning and made sure to do so according to the step by step directions. Now if only I had time to just play and discover all of the things this can do!

Not much to add to what Teri said so aptly. However, don't forget that you thread the bobbin differently if you are using the machine for embroidery v. regular sewing.

The first adjustment I would try is tightening the top tension, make small adjustments and see how it stitches out. Remember to make sure the presser foot is up as this releases the tension.
Then make sure you're threading the bobbin area correctly, there is a fine wire that the thread needs to go through. While you can see this pretty clearly on the screen its a little different on the machine itself.
If adjusting the upper tension doesn't work then adjust the bobbin tension. Try one click to the right to tighten the tension. There is a tool to tighten and loosen the tension.
Happy Quilting!
Teri

Does anyone have a suggestion for fixing the bottom tension on my NEW Bernina 830 LE. I have replaced the needle checked the size, threaded same thread on top and bobbin. The bottom seems too loose.

Good information, thanks Teri!
Ah ha.... I try not to get it too taught in the hoop but I know I don't have it loose enough to pinch an inch, good info, I'll try that as well.

I'm chomping at the bit to use my frame but we found that my room isn't big enough to set it up and get around it...
So I'm crying because I have to put it in storage for right now until we can find another solution.

I'm looking forward to the AQS show in September. Last year I think I hit just about every long arm booth and played with every machine..LOL I'd love to eventually get a stand alone long arm but like my husband said, "This gives you something to start with, learn and keep you challenged. Once you master this it should make moving to a bigger long arm that much easier." So I have to say he's right, as usual, because as much as I'd love to have one it's a little intimidating right now.
Thanks again for your help.
Have a great day!

Enjoy your quilt frame.
I think that having the quilt tight in the hoop would make a difference. I like to stop in the APQS booth any time I'm at a quilt show, sometimes I can see a friend who works for them. One of the gals said when loading the frame you want the quilt loose enough to "pinch an inch" anything tighter messes with the tension. I found when I hand quilted if the quilt was too tight in the hoop I had a hard time getting a consistent stitch.
The embroidery unit needs the quilt taut for what it does. Let me check with the local district manager and see if she has any tips.

Terri/Margo, I always appreciate the insight. Since my original post I have discovered that this only happens when I quilt with the embroidery unit. When I quilt free motion I don't have the problem. I do see the tiny dots that Margo mentioned but they are perfectly distributed and you have to really look for them to really notice. So I'm beginning to think that quilting with the embroidery unit, the material is pulled slightly tighter in the hoop whereas it's much looser when doing free motion. I don't know if that has an impact but Terri, I will try the bobbin tension, that makes sense.
I just picked up my new quilt frame for the 830. Can't wait to get it set up and begin a new learning experience... ))

Thanks again for your help
Barb

Barb, it may be that it's not just a problem with the 830. Any time you use a top and bobbin thread that are really different values or colors, you will probably have some issues with "pokies". Bob Purcell (Superior Threads) says that "perfect" tension will show tiny dots of bobbin thread on the top and tiny dots of top thread on the back. It's no wonder that sometimes there will be a little more showing at times. That is why most long-arm quilters recommend using the same color on the top and the bobbin.