Sapphire 830

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Sapphire 830

by Virginia
(Conesus ny)

I ABSOLUTELY hate the Viking Sapphire 830 sewing machine. I am a accessories designer so I sew pretty much all day.

This machine is my second by the way. The first one could not hold it's tension, large loops, even at its highest tension setting.

They rolled their eyes at me when I told the dealer this. I brought it in for the dealer to try and sure enough-large loops -no tension. Gave me a new machine.

I have been using it for just under a year and my, my, my, where to begin?

I sew long yards of fabric for shoulder wraps and in the middle of those two yards skipped stitches and large loops no tension. The walking foot which costs an outrageous $90-100 works like absolute crap. I am better off changing presser foot tension.

You have to run a test piece of fabric first when you change the bobbin or you have rats nest (I'm sorry, but for $1000 machine I should not have a rats nest).

The presser foot automatically raises slightly when you stop sewing causing fabric to shift and you end up with a slipped stitch (especially bad when using the hem foot) you can turn off this feature but if you change stitch settings or turn the machine off, it defaults back to this annoying feature.

I had to sew through 4 layers of denim and the back stitch feature just could not handle it. Also, I was sewing long lines of stitching on this denim and again right smack dab in the middle SKIPPED STITCHES loss of tension.

The feed dogs just can not seem to feed certain fabrics through properly. Stretch knits are a real problem, all of a sudden it just stops feeding and bunches up right under the needle.

I can not tell you how much of my time is wasted tearing seams apart and redoing. I do not recommend the Sapphire 830 machine and I have been sewing my whole life.

They tell me I can return it for an upgrade. ABSOLUTELY NOT. I will never waste my money on another Viking again.

And there are many other problems with this machine, you can not use heavy thread- major rats nest problem. Had my foot off the foot peddle and the machine was still sewing, nothing was touching the foot peddle.

The other wonderful thing is when your machine runs like crap you are told to turn it off and then turn it back on!

Are you kidding me? The problem- No they are not kidding you. Rotten machine.

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Sapphire 830

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Aug 13, 2009
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Agree!
by: Anonymous

Hi own the 830 too. Not happy with it at all. It's hard to get fabric to feed into it (oh yes....use the test stitch off cloth to get started...NO WAY!....a good machine doesn't need that crutch!). Problem is that basic machine design is through the line and into the Pfaff models too. Have the same feeding issues on my top of the line Pfaff Vision. Just bought a Babylock Espires -- that thing can stitch on air and grab the next piece and take off. No bird's nests, no stitch off cloth, no problems.....

Sep 07, 2009
Rating

What a shame!
by: Judy-Bellingham

Wow, so many complaints about the Viking. That is a real shame you are having so much trouble. I bought my 530 2 months ago and have been sewing quilts like crazy. I love the spring foot for free motion quilting. I've had zilch trouble with tension once I figured out how to read the screen advisor. Also, the auto up feature on the pressure foot? Mine defaults to auto down unless I specify I want it to stop in up position. Wonderful for appliques. You might check the tool menu for that default.
I took two classes that helped me with any issues I had and my dealer is fabulous at answering questions.
I haven't bought the walking foot because of the price.
I'm seriously considering upgrading before the end of 12 months although I love my 530 and worry I might get a clunker.
Sounds like you might have a clunker of a dealer. Come on up to Bellingham, WA. We have a great dealer.

Sep 23, 2009
Rating

Be careful not to get burned
by: Denver Lady

BE CAREFUL! This machine is DANGEROUS! It gets way too HOT! The heat from the light bulbs generates through the plastic and when you change the thread, you have to be very careful not to let your knuckles touch the machine. This did not happen with my other Vikings. I Agree! The SAPPHIRE IS GARBAGE! I have been sewing on Vikings for 8 years now. I used to think they were great. My 1st Viking was a Lily. It was great, but had a few minor problems that I accepted and should not have. NOW I go and buy a SAPPHIRE 830 last month. What a mistake. It's TERRIBLE! The thread keeps slipping off the take up lever. I tell the dealer this and off course they say I'm threading it wrong. I know how to thread. It was past the 10 days of purchase when I noticed this problem so, no return for me and I too, do not want to exchange to another VIKING.

Has anyone else that has been sewing on Vikings for years noticed that they are not made as well as they used to be? They used to be made in Sweden, now made in....... There are wide spaces where sections of the machine SHOULD meet. I thought one particular gap it was a crack at first until I noticed it wasn't put together well at all. Now I'm stuck with this. Oh yes, my Lily was very quiet, this SAPPHIRE 830 is almost as loud as my Serger, soooo, I cannot sew at night like I could before.

Oct 08, 2009
Rating

Sapphire 830
by: Anonymous

I just got the Sapphire 830 and I have to say it is an awesome machine. I have followed the guidelines for the tension depending on what I am doing and it works like a dream. Sewing on regular fabric, redoing hems on jeans, sewing heavy cushion covers is much easier than it was using my Viking 6000 machine of 35 years (which I recently wore out). The machine just seems to know how to move over the different types of fabrics and thicknesses, yet keep the stitch even and straight. Sewing is so much more fun! My friend has had the Sapphire 830 for 2+ years and loves it too. I am looking forward to exploring all that this machine can do!

Oct 27, 2009
Rating

sapphire 830
by: Anonymous

I bought a Sapphire 830 over a year ago nad it is worst peice of junk that I have ever used--tension ptoblems, skippimg stitches, thread popping out of the uptake arm and noisy. It has been returned to the dealer and the regional service center and the machine is the same. Husqvarna Canada seems to be unwilling to deal with the issue so my next step is to write to the ehad office in Sweden

Dec 29, 2009
Rating

Love my Sapphire!
by: Anonymous

I love my 830. I have had for over 2 years and I sew a lot. I make drapes, quilts and clothes. I love the sensor system for sewing heavy stuff. I've never had a tension problem. This is my 3rd Viking machine. I just keep trading up but I love them all. Also, my dealer is great!

Feb 09, 2010
Rating

Viking 830
by: M. Ditto

I purchased the Viking 830 sewing machine in June. I made one garment using the machine. I began the second one and had problems. The bobbin keeps popping out of position.

I took it back to the dealer and was told it had to go back to the factory. It will take at least eight weeks. You can imagine my disappointment. I am wondering if I made a poor choice when buying it.

Feb 17, 2010
Rating

Works great
by: sewing teacher

I've been sewing daily (alterations) on my Sapphire 830 for about 2 years now. It works great. Many of these complaints about skipped stitches, bobbin issues I have encountered, however they are easily remedied by cleaning the bobbin casing regularly, changing to a new needle or the correct needle for the type of fabric for each project, ensuring I've set the stitch properly, and using high quality thread. I'm not saying that possibly Viking had a few defects ie. the tension not holding, I just haven't had this issue. This machine did take some getting used to as this computerized machine does require a slightly different approach vs. using ie. a Bernina quilting machine (which I teach classes on) or a traditional mechanical machine. As I teach my students, ensuring a quality seam requires all the elements of sewing to be of good quality and combined correctly.

Mar 11, 2010
Rating

you might consider down grading
by: Anonymous

I used to sell viking/husqvarna machines for 4 months while I finished fashion design school.
I would recommend asking your dealer about a Scandinavian 100 or similar machine (they are out of production) it was the last Swedish sewing machine to have direct drive. I would recommend also that you look into an industrial machine. the 830 is a quilting machine designed primarily to embellish lighter cottons.

Dec 27, 2011
Rating

Sapphire 830 NEW
by: Anonymous

When I started my dress making business, I bought the Viking Sapphire 830 prior to that I was using my 25 year old Phaff. I love the machine, it's powerful sews through leather vests, layers of material for wedding dresses and very smooth even stitching; not to mention the variety of stitches. The only problem I have is that I've burnt out both bulbs and I'm having a problem finding replacements. Surprisingly my dealer where I bought the machine said,"the lights should have never burnt out because they last forever...." and when I told them that it takes 2 24 volt 5 watt bulbs, she disagreed and said that the machines don't take that type of bulbs (even though it's stamped on the front). So she gave me what she thought was the right ones (12v 5w) and after about 15 secs the machine blew both bulbs. I went back got my money back and since then I've been looking for bulbs to fit this machine. Otherwise, I love the machine.

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