My wife is interested in doing automotive upholstery and is wondering what type of sewing machine would be necessary, and what to look for and what to avoid in a used machine. I don't think her Singer will cut it......Any recommendations other than taking a course - that's in the works.
walking foot, biggest throat (area from needle to right), foot height when open (higher the better), one with a table is best. This is all learned from buying one that will do the work but doesn't meet the above. I had to build a table, throat is terrible. I bought an older Viking which is a great machine but I'm going bigger and better later.
We have and are very happy with Consew 206's. Look on Ebay for used, can be very reasonably priced ( less than New home stuff). Get one with a table. Kevin
check out youtube...there are some videos on there and you can check out the machines there...every now and then one pops up for sale here or on craigslist...good luck...they actually offer a cl*** here in San Diego...it is 600 hours long and is from 7 am to 1:15 in the afternoon...might be a nice vacation for you from the great white north coming soon: rodtees.com
bought a brother a couple months ago ..taught myself to sew and made the top for my car (the one in my avatar)as a first project....look for idustrial name brand juki, brother, they are all the same..look for reverse,... tip it up and make sure the bobbin holder is there...the oil should be clean...the tables on the affordable industrial machines seem to be the same across brands....kinda green laminate with a steel base and a measuring tape printed on it....i paid $200 for mine if that helps...i thinki got a deal but you shouldn't have to spend more than $500 for a decent old machine...most are built to last forever it seems...
The Jalopy Journal
