So i think i'm going to take a shot at sewing up my own door panels and seats. I need to buy a sewing machine without braking the bank. What should i look for in a commercial machine. I'd like to spend under 3 hun if possible.I see lots for sale but i don't really know what i'm looking at.
Look for one that has a walking foot. If it was used for upholstery in the past it most likely will but if it was used in the garment industry it may not. This is pretty much a must have. A machine that reverses is nice as well but not critical. A lot of machines (pretty much all the ones I saw when I was looking) are clutch motors which are harder to learn to use than a servo motor so that may be a factor for you as well. I am not an upholsterer but want to do my own interior as well so I went through this when I bought mine so have a basic idea. Hopefully some of the upholstery guys will chime in as well.
Joining this social group would be a great place to start. It's been discussed a few time here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=174
Check this out. I saw them at different events and I even used one for a test. It worked as good as My Consew that I purchases forty years ago. http://http://compare.ebay.com/like/221130133325?var=lv<yp=allfixedpriceitemtypes&var=sbar< a=""></yp=allfixedpriceitemtypes&var=sbar<>
Check out local auctions as well. We picked up a walkig foot, clutch driven Pffaf (sp?) for $80. Some***** will sew through your fingers.
So i think i know what a walking foot is now. lol. Ok, picked up some info in the upholstery club. So a commercial machine is not just made to go for hours on end but takes thicker material as well or is there commercial machines that are made for light duty sewing only. This is what i don't know what i'm looking at. How can you tell the differance?
If it has a walking foot it seems like (from what I have been able to figure out)it was pretty much designed for heavy material as the purpose of the foot is to help pull they heavier cloths, vinyls and leathers through.
Terminology can get you in trouble. Commercial means made for severe duty 40 hours a week type stuff. But commercial does not mean it can do very heavy stuff, as some commercial machines are spec'd for thinner materials. Walking foot; two types; The old Singers you find from either World War, would be single acting, vs the newer ones that are compound walking foot. The old ones; the foot won't walk on it's own. It has to be in contact with the material sitting on the gripper teeth below the foot. So, depending on the types of materials, the material needs to be "helped" to keep sewing. A compound walking foot will walk on it's own, so you two have two systems pulling the material through. If you are tempted to get an old Singer, check the model number on the Singer site. It will say if it is for heavy cloths/leathers or if it is for just lighter cloths. The model number is right at the front on a tag. I have a very old Singer walking, and I have tried 6 layers of marine vinyl, and it sews just like 2 layers...no effort at all. Mine is not compound, so if there is slippery cloth backing, under the vinyl, then I need to help push/pull it through. But if I stack 6 layers of just vinyl, it pulls it through by itself.
Thanks for the clarity. I'm a dunce about sewing machines and it's nice to be armed with some kind of knowledge before i buy.Thanks, enough said.
hope this works, you can see a walking foot in action, also it would help you to get a machine with a piping foot.Click on the pic.
Pfaff is an excellent machine. Around here all the shops use the Japanese Juki (they are cheaper). Do not get ****ed in on the Chinese copies of the Juki, they are junk.
I picked up a walking foot , clutch drive machine off e bay. Was built for production, went like hell. I built a 3 to 1 reduction drive to slow it down. Much more controllable, and still fast enough for me.
ADLER walking foot, the best machine in the world. I've spent 20 years on these and nothing has the same "feel" A 50-60 year old machine can be "tuned" to be like new. [ my last one was 50 years old that I can confirm, the guy I bought it off said it was 2nd hand in 1960 ] similar to this
X2. I geared mine down also, and it makes it a lot easier to learn sewing, IMO Did you see the tail end of the video above? Looks like he got his fingers out of the way just in time.
X2 on Pfaff bit then again they are costly I paid $1200 for mine and it was used. The thing is a monster. Im sure you can find one in your price range. I paid for what I wanted and feel it will be working long after Im gone. Good luck.
I got 2 machines at the local metal s**** yard for 10 $ each. The Tech School here threw away several. I had to put 100$ in each one getting timed and new belts. Both were walking foot. Gave one to a guy to teach me to sew good enough so in the future I'll hope to do my own upholstery.
I got my Pffaf for $500 and it is nice but I am considering working out some type of reduction for it as well as it is quick. One little trick I found somewhere for dealing with clutch machines is putting foam under the treadle it makes it way easier to control the motor speed. Could you guys show how you reduced the drive speed. I am sure it would be useful to a few.
Thats a damn good deal. I have yet to find a trade school that can work with my schedual. I have spoken with a couple shops and offered to donate my time to learn but they tend to be skeptical. Cant say I blame them, they usaully want to buy / rent my machine.
I bought a Singer, cant recall the model number. Would not sew two layers of vinyl.Took it to the Singer guy. He said it was a fine machine to only sew curtains. Returned it to the owner and got my 200.oo back, no problem.It was his moms and she made custom curtains. Go figure.
check the motor speed on clutch motors. They will either have a 1740 rpm or 3480 rpm. You want the 1740 rpm as it is for heavy duty sewing. (more torque) Or if it has a servo motor like this http://www.allbrands.com/products/10568-reliable-sewquiet-sq5000-dc-servomotor-90-and-50mm#Click .
if you already have the 1740 rpm motor you can slow it down with the smallest pulley you can find to fit the motor. I think mine is an 1.5". Or you can go with the servo motor for $200. Beware, evil bay has cheaper servo motors listed but in my research this one is the best. http://www.allbrands.com/products/10568-reliable-sewquiet-sq5000-dc-servomotor-90-and-50mm#Click
i friend of mine has a juki with a walking foot and a servo motor. i've played with it a few times and it makes you feel like you could do something!
I also have an adler. It is the Cadillac of sewing machines. Mine is 25yo and still sews like new. It will sew through six layers of denim and your fingers.
This info i was looking for. Thanks a lot guys. I see alot of old machines for sale thinking they had old technology and basicly junk but maybe not so. I like that pipe foot option. Always wondered how they did those so straight but then again it's a man behind the machine. Learning a lot here. Even to spend a little more and sell it later makes sense. But then again i might like upholstery and keep it.
Is this worth a look? http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-hobbies-crafts-singer-industriel-sewing-W0QQAdIdZ393548798
Get the model number. It should be on that tag looking thing, right under the Singer Emblem Logo on the right side, halfway down. You have to know the model, so you can look it up on the Singer site to know what it can do. Also find out if it includes the clutch motor and belt. My Singer is way older than that one
Different machines produce different types of s***ches. Make sure you get a machine that is right for the material and type of sewing you want to do.
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