Hey guys just moved just moved 4hrs away from home. Got a job as a test engineer. There aint much to do but work but on the weekends i thought it'd be nice to start something new such as sewing. My budget is anywhere up to $600. I am looking for a walking foot machine in my area and have found a few. My question is do i need a reverse? I found a Consew Walking foot machine for 400 as well as a Single unit for $50. Any tips as to shopping for machines and testing befor purchasing??
Get the reverse, on my first one it did not have it and it was a pain, not much price difference in the two. Check it out and make sure the thing is in time and all the oiling system is working, then run a test piece and check out the s***ch pattern and do some changes on them ro make sure it works and also check out the bobbin area good.
Not having reverse isn't all that terrible, just takes a bit more time to back s***ch. Not having a knee lift is more annoying than not having reverse. If you're just wanting to try it out, go for the consew, they are good machines. Test it out like Rodhotz said, but if something is broke its usually not that big of a deal, Timing a consew is pretty straight forward, even if you had to pay some one it would be fairly reasonable to get it fixed.
I have 35 years experience with sewing, From T******* ,Upholstery, Canvas right up to making 120' x 120' circus tents Get an old German Adler walking foot if you can. I first used a 2nd hand Adler in 1976 and 35 years later I was given the oportunity to jump on the very same machine. It still had it's positive feel about it, they can be fully overhauled with minimal parts and are very adjustable to wear You won't regret it. Once you're up and running, pop me a message. I'll give you a tip that will take years of trying to gain some experience!
Try Quality Industrial Sew in Grand Island NE. Ron gets some used industrial machines from time to time.
Spent a bit of time in the Grip sewing room at Walt Disney Studio. Found that on heavy goods the reverse was bunches easier than lifting the foot. The choice of brand is not as important as what's available for sale and service/parts. Good service is getting harder to find as most of the serious techs are retired or dead as is the garment industry and most of the studio wardrobe people that can really sew. I have used Consew 226(not 225), Juki and Singer 111W types but kept my Pfaff in retirement. With exception of the German stuff, parts seem pretty cheap. Knowledge of the machines is increasingly important as support disappears. Good old machines are common at the swaps but avoid the high speed dressmaker machines as they are best for factory work. Don't fall for the old "It'll sew Leather BS. A true leather machine has an extremely long s***ch and reduced speed. Chinese machines are an unknown to me. Miss the smell of hot machine oil. Good Luck: Fred A
I've been in the sewing mach biz f/31yrs & the 225,226 Consew,111w Singers,Juki 562,563 are all good machines.There an uph shop that has been in business f/40 yrs down the street from us & they just got a machine w/reverse a couple of yrs ago,it's NOT needed but is handy.Most of the time ur s***ches won't be seen & you r usually sewing over the seam a couple of times so they alot of the work does not need to be tied off. Let me know if you have any questions about a machine. We stock,needles,threads,parts & have 1000+ used machines in stock. Bob Toledo Ind Sewing Machine Sales
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