Technical Sewing machines..... recommendations ?

Looking back 40 years ago , I did a great deal of upholstery work on my own cars as a way to save money; my grandfather was a tailor and my mom was a very good seamstress, so between the 2 of them I had some very good help looking over my shoulders when doing my antique cars . Fast forward to today, what brands would you suggest I look at to do this once again? I understand a walking foot & possibly a reverse, but would I actually need a zig-zag feature for anything other than elastic in door pockets? I looked on E-bay at brands.... Brother, Pfaff, Juki, Singer, but since I don't quite know what I am looking at I can't make an informed decision. I also know that my local Craigslist has a lot to choose form, and they are all within an hours driving time. Any suggestions, directions, or plain old help would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve

 

I have 1954 and a 1948 Singer Industrial. Those ****ers are just about big block powered.
I have sewn some thick leather with them, and I need lessons.
I'd look for one like them. Are you gonna do interiors?

 

here's what I got at a local auction. 1943 singer walking foot, electrified. all I need now is someone to show me how to use it.

 

Do you have any local sewing shops that get into the higher end of the hobby? Near me there's a shop that has all sorts of serious business machines both new and used for sale as well as cl***es.

 

Around here the Pfaff was the favorite for many years but was replaced by Juki 20 years ago due to cost. There are Chinese versions but they are kind of rough running and junky and not worth buying if you want something you can use and not be adjusting all the time.

 

I use pfaff and have for the last 50 years , 1 is the same one I started with. I have sewn on other brands , don't like em. Like any machine if you want it to last buy quality when you are done with it you will get your money back..

 

I have been using a Juki for more than 30 years and its a great machine you just have to keep it oiled and clean, on leather
I use a needle design for leather it has a different point and it works good. There are a lot of guys on face book showing you how to sew, check them out alot of good information there.

 

Stick with the known brands. Singer, Pfaff, Juki and Consew. The more basic, the less to go wrong.

I was in the trim business in the sixties and seventies. Adler and Consew machines. Still have my workhorse Consew, tho I only do my own interiors now. Singer and Consew parts are mostly interchangable and available anywhere.. relatively cheap.

 

Consew has one compound walking foot machine now that's made in China rather than Japan, and it doesn't have a good reputation so you have to be careful which machine you buy if you go with a Consew.

 

At least 5 s***ches per inch, 4 would be better.

 

I just got a singer 211g155. Not a walking foot and no reverse, but it is a monster of a machine.

 

I have a Juki and I like it a lot. Its a walking foot machine with reverse.

 

About two years ago while recovering from a serious burn I decided to learn to do upholstery. I have been a car person all my life and over the years I have learned all of the fab skills along with engine building and painting, it always bugged me that I had to pay someone else to do the interiors.
I read some books and asked the local trim guys and followed Craig's List. I bought an old Consew RB206 that has a walking foot and reverse. It is a Japanese model made in the 1960s. I took it to the local sewing machine service center and had them go through it and replace or repair what it needed. All parts were good so they cleaned it and checked adjustments. I had them replace the original motor with the new digital setup with infinite speed control. All parts are readily available both locally and on the internet so age doesn't seem to be a problem. I also looked at Juki, and Highlead machines but the quality between the newer stuff and the old cast iron machines is obvious.
I bought three good books on custom interiors and bought some practice material to learn the how too's and it is very relaxing. I have filled up a few trash cans with practice projects and I can make a pretty good throw pillow but getting all of those seams and pleats perfect takes skill and time.
My advice is buy the best you can afford, walking foot is mandatory and reverse is almost necessary. Good luck.

 

Send a PM to Need Louvers?, he used to be big in them...
Just started a cl*** on t*******, they have Jukis at the college.

 

This is a good thread. I have been wondering which is best myself.

 

What ever you get make sure it has a servo motor - The only way to go 36fordguy

 

If there is a reliable shop that fixes commercial machines in your area you could ask them what brand is most popular and what models work best for your use. They might have a good machine for sale.

 

I agree with that! I wish I had one on my machine.

 

Anyone using a Juki 563? How do you like it?

 

Ok, moving right along.... is a Singer 1191D300A Industrial Sewing Machine something I might look at? There is one locally being sold by a grandson for his grandmother, and she bought this new - it actually looks new too! She is going to set up for a test run this weekend, and is currently looking for the owners manual and some paperwork. I haven't been able to locate a repair shop locally, and the only one close is down-town and they haven't been answering their phone.

 

Here`s what we use in our shop. Works great !

 

Guys, if you can, post the model, it helps alot. Saying I use a Juki/Consew/Adler is about as informative as saying "I have a Ford"...

 

Try Quality Industrial Sew in Grand Island NE. Been selling machines for 50 years.

 

I am an amateur at best but I have a Pfaff 1245 and it works great. I also bought a servo motor for it which made it a whole lot easier to use. http://www.reliablecorporation.com/Products/Single-Needle-Locks***ch/SewQuiet-5000

 

Pardon my ignorance, what does a servo motor accomplish for sewing?

 

Most industrial machines have a clutch style motor which for beginners can be difficult to control. I tended to go from zero to as fast as the machine will go almost instantly and had a great deal of difficulty running the machine at more reasonable speeds for my lack of skill. Servo motors are more like home sewing machines, like a potentiometer, so you can control the speed much easier from basically being able to count each s***ch to going full out and everything in between.

 

The Servo motor makes speed control a lot easier. A regular motor turns at a set speed and has a clutch when you push the foot control. A servo motor changes the speed of the motor and is a lot easier to control and sew slower.

 

Aha, got it. Thanks guys

 

I've got a '60's model Pfaff 545, and I learned on a Consew RB-2. The important thing is it's nice to have a walking foot and it's real nice to have reverse as well. You'll probably end up spending somewhere in the $400-$800 range. That's why I got mine, too- so I could do all my own cars and save $,$$$.

 

The pfaffs I have are 2 545 and one 1245. Also a great thing to have is a knee lift , It lets you make turns without taking your hands off the cover and go onto heavier stuff without moving your hands. A servo may work good, I have never used one.