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Sewandwrite

Maryland USA
Skill: Advanced Beginner

Hi -- I've used sewing machines since I was in elementary school, but I'm completely unschooled in sergers.
I have an opportunity to get a rarely used Bernette Funlock 004 from someone who is cleaning out his elderly aunt's apartment.
Advice on price? Or whether I should avoid this brand/model and hold out for something else?
I'm not in any rush to buy.

SydneyAnne

Posted on: 7/21/08 9:25 PM

I had this machine years ago (and still have it) and I can't tell you how much I sewed on it. In other words, a lot.
It was a great little serger but only a three thread. About 11 years ago I bought the Imagine serger and stopped using it, but it is still put away in my closet. If I remember correctly, I paid around $500.00 for it probably 15 years ago.

SydneyAnne

Posted on: 7/21/08 9:32 PM

I had this machine years ago (and still have it) and I can't tell you how much I sewed on it. In other words, a lot.
It was a great little serger but only a three thread. About 11 years ago I bought the Imagine serger and stopped using it, and it is still put away in my closet. If I remember correctly, I paid around $500.00 for it probably 15 years ago. It depends whether you want a three or four thread serger, I wanted a four thread with ease of threading (jet air) and only a dial to change to roll hem. It just depends on what you want in a serger. Good luck.

RadarRadiance

Nevada USA
Skill: Intermediate

Posted on: 7/21/08 9:49 PM

Pictures of Funlock 004
It looks like a 4 thread to me, they show the manual with it and it says funlock 003/004. It looks like a good basic serger and I've had great luck with the Bernette sergers I've had. I owned the 234 one of their first 3-4 threads and loved it. I upgraded because the newer ones had an easier threading system for the lower looper. You didn't say what price...
For some reason I thought that was one of the serger package deals for a while when you bought one of the Bernina TOL sewing machines, too.
It looks like a great little serger to me!
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FlyGuy2

Illinois USA
Skill: Advanced

Joel Richter Former Flight attendant with a Major US Carrier.
Sewing Machines, Baby Lock Nancy Zieman Ellegante, Baby Lock Ellure Plus, Viking Platinum 730 and a Singer Serger. My new Serger is a Pfaff 4764 and it runs nicely. Added a new Machine today a really beauty Pfaff 130. Newest Addition a Baby Lock Coverstitch only machine. Newest addition Bernina 440QEE. Now A Viking Designer Diamond :) Now a new Viking Huskylock 936 Combo Serger. Sold machine the Viking Platinum 730 and the PFAFF 4764.

Sewandwrite

Maryland USA
Skill: Advanced Beginner

Can you explain the advantages of a 4-thread over a 3-thread?
Price = $150.

FlyGuy2

Illinois USA
Skill: Advanced

Posted on: 7/22/08 9:37 AM

Joel Richter Former Flight attendant with a Major US Carrier.
Sewing Machines, Baby Lock Nancy Zieman Ellegante, Baby Lock Ellure Plus, Viking Platinum 730 and a Singer Serger. My new Serger is a Pfaff 4764 and it runs nicely. Added a new Machine today a really beauty Pfaff 130. Newest Addition a Baby Lock Coverstitch only machine. Newest addition Bernina 440QEE. Now A Viking Designer Diamond :) Now a new Viking Huskylock 936 Combo Serger. Sold machine the Viking Platinum 730 and the PFAFF 4764.

RadarRadiance

Nevada USA
Skill: Intermediate

Posted on: 7/22/08 10:53 AM

I think that's a good price for an almost new serger, I love the Bernette serger's, they have been great! ..and I like the knife system they use, great for polar and heavier material.
The 4 thread gives you an additional stitch for enforcement. If it is a 4 thread you can then switch it to a 3 thread when you want. The 4 thread is heavier duty and I use it most.. especially for woven’s. The 3 thread will give you a stretchier stitch and is good for tricot, delicate fabrics and lighter knits for a smaller seam.
With a 3 thread you can also do a rolled hem, each machine is setup different for that, hopefully the instructions can tell you. The rolled hem is good for napkins or anything needing a small rolled edge to finish. I am guessing this machine will give you a 3 and 4 thread stitch depending on how you set it up, the manual will tell you how.
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RadarRadiance

Nevada USA
Skill: Intermediate

Posted on: 7/22/08 11:19 AM

I read your first statement again and you don't have any idea the condition of the serger, use, etc. Normally they come with attachments and extra blades. I would make sure everything is there at that price. I would also bring tricot, denim, polar and maybe an interlock knit and test out before purchase. If they can't give you a demonstration to know the machine works, I would offer less if I really wanted it. JMHO
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purplebouquet

Skill: Advanced

I had a Funlock as my first serger and loved it. I ultimately needed something more involved (flatlock, coverstitch), so I sold it to a friend for $150 or $175 a few years ago.
One thing I didn't like was that I had to have that machine serviced every 12-18 months or so. I don't know why, but the stitch quality, particularly the tension, seemed to get out of whack periodically, and none of my home remedies (cleaning, changing thread, changing needle, etc) seemed to work. It had to be professionally cleaned and adjusted (whatever they do), and then it was back to super shape. But at $65 each, that annual ritual got to be an expense I didn't appreciate. Maybe others don't have that experience.
Claudia

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