Looking for advice

You sent the same post twice and there was no need, really. I have never seen a Pfaff or a Viking that were not good machines; but I don't know anything about the two you mentioned.

Why not look at the machine's websites and read about them, then take a pair of coveralls or a similar fabric to where the machines are located and try them out, if they are being sold locally?

Someone else may have experience with them and post later, but in the meantime, google the Pfaff and Viking websites and read about them.

-- Emily

Hi Mary, you said the Brother won't sew through the heavy fabric. I was just wondering if you were using the correct size needle. Also, are you using a knit needle when you sew knits. And do you use a stretch or a zig zag stitch. I love my Pfaff sewing machine, but I don't know anything about the 362. HTH Barbara in SC

rgypsyrose had written this in response to

##-----------------------------------------------## Delivered via

Keep in mind both those machines are no longer supported by the manufacturers. Parts are limited to common items. You would probably do best working with a local sewing machine shop. That way you can get the help you will need after the sale.

I learned years ago to go with a gear driven machine, not a belt driven. The belt will slip on heavy fabric and the needle will jam. Now, I don't know if they still have belt driven these days. I bought a Singer Creative Touch about 25 years ago and its still running beautifully and I use it on a regular basis.

I was watchng HSN last week and they were extolling the wonders of a Singer Top-of-the-Line computerized and it interested me so I looked it up. Apparently, it's a machine made by Singer for HSN, I could be wrong, but that's the only site I can find it on. Sooo, with my experience with HSN products, I passed on it. I would LOVE to have a computerized machine but I can't afford one more than what the HSN one was going for. . .in the ballpark of $300.00 so I guess I'll have to wait on that.

Also Singer puts out what they call a "commercial" machine thats supposed to be good on heavy fabrics and those run $300 to $500 with the more expensive ones doing embroidery.

Hope this helps some.

ctlady (Ceil)

I'm going to suggest you consider a non-mechanical machine -- an electronic or computerized one -- because you get full needle punching force at very slow speeds with servo and stepper motors, unlike a mechanical machine with a standard motor.

The hitch is that they tend to be more expensive, even on the used market, and they tend to cost more to service. But the electronics can be a real pleasure to sew with and they'll pop those coverall zippers back in easily as well as sew lighter stuff. I'm sewing on 12+ year old midline Viking electronic, and I love it. It doesn't jam up, spit bobbins in my lap, stitches well, and just behaves itself, contrary to my former experiences with cheap sewing machines.

On the other hand and FWIW, I keep an old Singer 15 around for "dirty jobs" like tent zippers and sleeping bag zippers and jobs that I can do with a straight stitch that are just outside what I want to do with my main machine. At $10 purchase price, and I can do most of the maintenance myself easily, I don't mind pushing the 15 a little bit.

And there are a lot of decent old straight stitchers around, in need of homes.

And the foot on the 15 is nice and small so I can sneak inside easily when I'm doing bluff pockets.

Kay

Rgypsyrose had written this in response to

-------------------------------------

##-----------------------------------------------## Delivered via

Hint: Singer has not made their own machines in a few decades. They outsource to factories and put their name on them.

Go talk to them, give them your phone number, and ask them to call you when an older used cream puff comes through. That worked for me.

Actually, I believe SVP Worldwide does own factories in Brazil and China.

gwh

thats

with

if you are refering to the Singer CG### (Commercial Grade) singers then the word *commercial* is a misnomer designed to confuse and entice.

I was almost suckered by the name.

I have looked at those machines and it has been discussed here regularly as a sheep in wolf's clothing. Those CG### machines have a Singer low end internal product with a faux-industrial finish.

When i first looked under one it reminded me of the old Singer Stylist line.

Please don't let the hammered metal appearance and the name

Maybe CG just means you can drop if from a higher table and have it still work :)

I'll let the experts BBQ me (figuratively) if my comments are not accurate ?

robb

No, I was looking at them a while back... Th importers here in the UK at the time would not import those things and told me my Bernina 1005 (domestic machine) was a far better thing by far than this object, and that the only worthwhile commercial (rather than industrial) machine about is the Bernina 950. I don't have room, so I'm sticking with what I have. Has the advantage of saving me even more money! ;)

Oh, and be careful to disengage the cutters for the second pass!