by grandmamek 24 Aug 2014

For all Bernina owners. I have a chance to purchase a used Bernina 630 at a very reasonable price from a dealer. My concerns are do you need any special software to use with this? Will it use any USB Stick or does it only accept Bernina sticks? How expensive are hoops? If anyone has one, I would appreciate if you could please tell me the pros and cons on this machine. Thanks.

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by boogie1818 29 Aug 2014

Hi Grandmamek. I have a Bernina 630 and love it. I purchased a Bernina USB stick just to cover myself. I don't know about generic ones. I have several hoops up to 12 X 18 (I think) also Bernina. I just feel that Bernina equipment will work best with their own sewing/embroidery machines. Good luck.

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grandmamek by grandmamek 03 Sep 2014

Thank you for the info on the hoops. I will check it out.

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by katydid 27 Aug 2014

I love my Berninas'. i have been a Bernina girl since the 1970' s and I have never had a lemon. I am not familiar with the 630. if you have a dealer near you, by all means go in and ask questions. I do have a 730 and I love her!!!! She is the last model that would take the cards. Because of that alone , I probably would never trade her in. The card designs were before the CD and USB stick designs when we did not know we could download designs over the internet. Good luck with what you decide. Kay

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airyfairy by airyfairy 28 Aug 2014

Kay - my Bernina is coming up for 2 years old in December and it has the card slot and USB point. I am also a Bernina 'lover'

grandmamek by grandmamek 28 Aug 2014

Thank you Kay. I intend to go back to the dealer with all my questions. Hopefully then I will make up my mind.

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by pw6b 27 Aug 2014

usb sticks work on any and all machines that has a usb port, just convert emb designs to the format that Bernina uses..

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grandmamek by grandmamek 28 Aug 2014

Thanks for your input. That sounds a lot easier.

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by cherylgauteng 25 Aug 2014

I own a Bernina 830 and 440 embroidery/ sewing machines. I also have a Bernina 1300 MDC over lock machine. I love them all and would never, ever buy another make. They are expensive initially and you need a good technician to service them - but they do not break down like other makes seem to. Any old USB will do for the 830. You do need to convert all designs for the 830 to either Exp/dst . Think that the 440 uses Art. - I have never used it to embroider. You need Bernina embroidery software to convert to Art - most places, these days, offer this anyway for download. I would recommend Bernina wholeheartedly to anyone. Log into their USA website and go through it carefully, you will find all of the answers to many questions that you may have, check esp. FAQ

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grandmamek by grandmamek 25 Aug 2014

Thank you very much for your response. I will check out the link. I have not yet decided what I will do.

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by airyfairy 25 Aug 2014

I am a Bernina lover. Both my sewing machine and my embroidery machine are Bernina. Unfortunately I do not have your model but I can use any USB stick on mine. I think that the hoops are fairly expensive but hopefully the one you have seen will have all the hoops. Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

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grandmamek by grandmamek 25 Aug 2014

Thank you Sarah for your response. I will let you know.

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by haleymax 24 Aug 2014

I have a Bernina 630. Bernina has their own digitizing software, but I do not have it. You will need "Editorlite" to transfer your designs to the USB stick and then to your machine. It should come with a new machine, but I'm not sure if it would come with a used machine. Ask the dealer about what software comes with it. Some of it might be "Artlink". I don't remember what I paid for my 3 purchased hoops, it has been too long ago. It does support the megahoop which is sectioned into three design areas in one hooping. My 630 has the BSR quilting stitch regulator with it. I have several different USB sticks and only one is Bernina.
I love the needle threader. The 630 has a place for 2 spools of thread, one horiziontal and vertical. Does the tools set come with it? I received the wrench to remove the plate covering the area where you thread your machine, Also received a brush for removing fuzz, dust, thread from machine, a bar (attaches to the presser foot area) that helps the spacing of stitching lines.
I was told about removing the thread from the machine when changing colors, to always cut the thread where it goes into the first of the threading area and pull it down through the needle to remove. Pulling the thread in reverse of threading would cause fuzz to build up in the threading area and cause problems with stitching.

2 comments
grandmamek by grandmamek 25 Aug 2014

Thank you so much for the information. I will definitely ask about the "editorlite". I will not buy it if it is not included. Yes the tool set was included. They did offer free classes, 3 years of free service, and 20 year warranty on the machine. They did not say anything about Editorlite. Your information is very helpful. Thanks again.

cherylgauteng by cherylgauteng 25 Aug 2014

This deal sounds great !

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by asterixsew Moderator 24 Aug 2014

I don't have a Bernina embroidery machine but I do have a Bernina sewing machine that I have had or 40 years. It is used very regularly and is a beautiful machine. It sells for more now on ebay than I paid for it and my daughter would love one as its the machine she learnt on. From looking at the machine manual it looks good. I hope that someone appears that knows this machine and can give you the information you need. Good Luck and let us know what you decide

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grandmamek by grandmamek 24 Aug 2014

Thank you. It does look like a nice machine. I am glad you have had such good luck with your sewing machine. 40 years tells me Bernina did something right!!

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by jrob Moderator 24 Aug 2014

I don't know if it has to be a Bernina stick or not, but it can use a Stick. It can also use Artista software. If I were purchasing a new machine, the first thing I'd want to see would be the manual, to study and see what it can do.

2 comments
grandmamek by grandmamek 24 Aug 2014

Thank you for the information. I took a look at the manual and it did not really specify all I was looking for. I guess I will go back to the dealer and ask lots and lots of questions. It certainly looks like a very nice machine. It is giving me some food for thought. Thanks again Jerilyn. Your help is appreciated.

jrob by jrob 24 Aug 2014

You are welcome. I wouldn't trade my Bernina 440 for a 10 head! I love her.

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