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A Sewing Machine For The Workshop



 
 
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  #11  
Old July 1st 07, 02:49 PM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
Larry Jaques
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Posts: 2
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

On Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:21:18 GMT, with neither quill nor qualm, Lew
Hodgett quickly quoth:

Spehro Pefhany wrote:


You in a city with much schmatta trade? If you go to an industrial
sewing machine place they'll fix you up with a used machine like a
Juki that will run forever. (those machines actually have an oil pan).
They often do this for young 'uns setting up as fashion designers.



Yep, my landlord has a bunch of industrial machines used to make
motorcycle bags.

Doubt he has a machine that is less than 50 years old.

Also, if you are in an area that has some sailmakers, talk to them.


He'll need to talk to them in the winter, when they're not busy.
They'd charge an extra fee right now just to look.

I picked up my used Consew 210 for $395. It's an oil-sump machine and
came with table, motor, clutch, extra clutch disk, bobbins, spools of
thread, extra needles, extra feet, and a stainless binding feed.

It's used to go through 2 layers of 680 denier nylon sheeting, a layer
of 1/8" or 1/4" foam, 2 layers of spray glue, and 2 layers of folded
binding. It'll do this all day long. (though I can't

- Metaphors Be With You -
Ads
  #12  
Old July 1st 07, 04:22 PM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
[email protected]
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Posts: 1
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

On Sat, 30 Jun 2007 17:51:35 -0700, Too_Many_Tools
wrote:

On occasion I find myself needing to create items for the home
workshop that require a sewing machine.

I am looking for recommendations in what to look for in a sewing
machine that will handle a number of differnet materials (canvas,
cotton, thin leather)

Any suggestions?

Any suggested machines?

Thanks

TMT


Here are some portable walking-foots
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0585.html I have the Thompson,
although it cost a lot less back when I bought it. If I can get the
material under the foot it will feed cleanly and has never broken a
needle. I mounted it on (in) a 3'X5' folding table to minimize
struggling with large projects, and yet the whole thing can be tucked
away when not in use. I added a knee lever for the foot lift (simple
rope and pulley arrangement), and a better foot switch to allow slower
motor speed. Other than occasional oiling, zero maintenance in 20
years of occasional use. If I was buying today I'd probably get
something like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Industrial-Walki...QQcmdZViewItem
Obviously not made for real industrial use, but perhaps just the right
thing for the average home shop. Heavier and more powerful machines
are made to sew FAST. For occasional amateur sewing of heavy materials
you want to be able to go slow, sometimes just a few stitches at a
time.

Wayne
  #13  
Old July 1st 07, 05:09 PM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
Andy Dingley
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Posts: 17
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

On Sat, 30 Jun 2007 17:51:35 -0700, Too_Many_Tools
wrote:

On occasion I find myself needing to create items for the home
workshop that require a sewing machine.


1950s Black and Gold Singer, with motor.

Basic, but indestructible and still easy to get parts for.
Sews thin stuff, thick stuff and pretty much everything you actually
_need_ to sew.

1970s diecast aluminium zig-zag machine, from a good maker. This will
let you sew bar tacks, which are useful for strengthening. It should
also have a "sleeve arm" so that it can sew inside narrow tubes.
Early Japanese imports (New Home) are good, as are Europeans and _some_
US machines. This is about the time that over-complex unreliable fragile
machines started to appear (US first, then Europe) though, so be
careful.

1980s Pfaff 1221 / 1222
Does everything. has a walking foot so it will sew slippery kite fabric
too. Much sought after.

Industrial.
Too big, too awkward to store, too expensive. Often highly specialised
too, such as having flat bed rather than a sleeve arm, so they aren't
useful for small work. Very few of us need a real industiral. Mine's a
Brother, but I don't use it much.

If it's a speciliased industrial, such as having a full walking foot,
leather or upholstery sewing adaptions, then the price can get very high
indeed.


Don't underestimate the significance of thread and needles, more than
machines, For leather in particular, you need the right needle to sew
well.
  #14  
Old July 1st 07, 08:01 PM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
Trevor Jones
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Posts: 1
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On occasion I find myself needing to create items for the home
workshop that require a sewing machine.

I am looking for recommendations in what to look for in a sewing
machine that will handle a number of differnet materials (canvas,
cotton, thin leather)

Any suggestions?

Any suggested machines?

Thanks

TMT


If you are doing heavier stuff with multiple layers, a walking foot
machine is a real nice thing to have, It pushes the material along on
both sides, rather than just one.

I have sewn with Singer machines and Juki's. The Juki requires far
less in maintenance, as there are fewer adjustable linkages to get out
of order.

You can get lucky, and find a decent useable machine for under $400,
but a more realistic price for one with a table and a couple accessories
is probably around $1K, or a bit more.

Stuff like piping feet are nice to have, too, if you want to make
really Pro looking bags or covers.

Cheers
Trevor Jones

  #15  
Old July 1st 07, 08:33 PM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
Pogonip
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Posts: 112
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On occasion I find myself needing to create items for the home
workshop that require a sewing machine.

I am looking for recommendations in what to look for in a sewing
machine that will handle a number of differnet materials (canvas,
cotton, thin leather)

Any suggestions?

Any suggested machines?

Thanks

TMT

Juki, Con-sew, Thompson, Singer, etc. have good industrial machines.

The domestic Singer machines, such as the Model 15, 66, 201, etc., are
*not* industrial. There is a 201 that was outfitted for dressmakers
with a knee lift, and it is a fine machine, but not industrial.

If you look on eBay (and who doesn't?) beware of unscrupulous sellers
who call any old solid iron sewing machine "industrial" -- when they are
domestic machines. Tough, versatile, strong, but not industrial. Their
motors are not built for 8 hours of flat-out sewing.

For occasional use, a Singer 15 or 201 would probably do you just fine,
but don't overpay for it. If you need a really heavy-duty machine, then
look at the real industrial models, including the Singer 31.

--
Joanne
stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us.earth.milky-way.com
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/
  #16  
Old July 1st 07, 10:22 PM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
Mike Berger
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Posts: 1
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

I had a similar need. I found an old Anker sewing machine --
apparently made in East Germany out of old tank parts. It's
rugged, reliable, and serviceable -- it has beautifully made
parts. It also has a delicate touch if needed (mine came
with a double needle and cams for embroidery stitches). I paid
$ 5 at a hamfest. It's a portable in the same sense of the
word with 1970's "portable" color TV's. There's a handle on
the carrying case. Supplies are readily available.

Surplus industrial singer models are great too. You can always
find parts and they're very reliable. If you have the space,
a table model with foot operated presser foot can be helpful.
You can also get treadle operated machines for occasional use and
exercise.

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On occasion I find myself needing to create items for the home
workshop that require a sewing machine.

I am looking for recommendations in what to look for in a sewing
machine that will handle a number of differnet materials (canvas,
cotton, thin leather)

Any suggestions?

Any suggested machines?

Thanks

TMT

  #17  
Old July 1st 07, 10:38 PM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
Pogonip
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Posts: 112
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

Mike Berger wrote:
You can also get treadle operated machines for occasional use and
exercise.


This overcomes some of the problems with motors not strong enough to
penetrate several layers. In this case, you are sitting on the motor.
;-)
--
Joanne
stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us.earth.milky-way.com
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/
  #18  
Old July 2nd 07, 12:39 AM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
NightMist
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Posts: 1,734
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

On Sat, 30 Jun 2007 17:51:35 -0700, Too_Many_Tools
wrote:

On occasion I find myself needing to create items for the home
workshop that require a sewing machine.

I am looking for recommendations in what to look for in a sewing
machine that will handle a number of differnet materials (canvas,
cotton, thin leather)

Any suggestions?

Any suggested machines?

I have a Pfaff 130 that handles canvas, and leather rangeing from
garment to light belt weight with no problem. I often make fetish, or
goth gear so having a reliable machine that can do leather, PVC, etc.
without gasping is a real godsend.
I'm not sure you will find anything new without paying the big bucks.

NightMist
--
I'm a little teapot, short and stout
here is my handle, here is my...other...handle?
Bloody Hell!!
I'm a sugar bowl!
  #19  
Old July 2nd 07, 03:00 AM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
Bob
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Posts: 14
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

On Jun 30, 5:51 pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On occasion I find myself needing to create items for the home
workshop that require a sewing machine.

I am looking for recommendations in what to look for in a sewing
machine that will handle a number of differnet materials (canvas,
cotton, thin leather)

Any suggestions?

Any suggested machines?

Thanks

TMT


See if you can find a Singer 20U somewhere -- it's originally a
tailor's machine, but pretty heavy duty -- all iron and steel, all
gear driven. It will do straight and zigzag. I made all the canvas
work and much of the interior upholstery for my sailboat with one, and
have used it for drapes, leather, and misc. sewing ever since. It
didn't have any problems sewing through multiple layers of heavy
canvas, even on the corner patches and reinforcements.

Regards,

Bob

  #20  
Old July 2nd 07, 04:52 AM posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,rec.woodworking,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing
Robatoy
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Posts: 1
Default A Sewing Machine For The Workshop

On Jun 30, 8:51 pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On occasion I find myself needing to create items for the home
workshop that require a sewing machine.

I am looking for recommendations in what to look for in a sewing
machine that will handle a number of differnet materials (canvas,
cotton, thin leather)

Any suggestions?

Any suggested machines?


Try to find a used Pfaff Hobbymatic. From around 1980.
It is a work horse. (Make sure it is the cast metal, not the plastic
body.)
The rest, as pointed out already, is the proper selection of threads
and needles.


 




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