Which machine for heavy duty?

Best I can advise it to TEST them on the fabrics and layers you will be sewing. 150 to 200 BP sounds pretty low for a genuine heavy duty sewing machine, even used. I can run nine layers of heavy denim through my 1960 Singer 401A, but I would never ask it to do Sunbrella or real sailcloth for more than a few short seams. .

There are some HD commercial machine (much more likely than home machines to be sturdy enough) which would be where I would be looking, but I'm not in that market.

You don't need a zig-zag for sails. Sails have been used for centuries, long before there were zig-zag, or even straight-stitch sewing machines. My old vet used a straight-stitch treadle Singer for his sails. I think he had a Model 15. That's an old, cast-iron machine that can sew just about anything.

Of course, if you want to spend more money, you could find a modern heavy duty Sailrite or something of that sort.

AMEN!

Hi, Thanks for the replies,

I was just assuming I need zig zag since all my sails are sewn up like that. Do you know why they use zig zag??

experiment. If its going to cost much more I will continue to take the jobs to the local sail lofts. It would be great to test them before buying but unless I can find somewhere local, the fuel to get there would cost nearly as much as the purchase price.. so i may as well just take a gamble...

By the way... I have a Bernina 807 which I inherited from my aunt a couple of years ago

(from the same vendor that is selling the heavy duty machines). so maybe it isn't so rubbish? I have now seen some posts elsewhere which suggest they are quite good machines Maybe not up to the heavy duty stuff? Good for spinnakers though ;-)

Colin

Hi, I need to buy a sewing machine for making / repairing boat covers, sails, awnings etc. Home occasional use but some of the materials are quite tough coated waterproof materials. I think I would need zig-zag for sails. I have seen plenty of semi-industrial machines for around £150 to £200 on ebay - would these be ok... e.g. Janome New home seems to come up a lot, also Husqvarna, Singer. Any advice on what to look for would be much appreciated. Thanks Colin

It is VERY important that you use a heavy duty needle in the machine of your choice. I use a size 16 or 18 for hemming jeans. Barbara in Florida

"Colin" wrote in message news:b82b1$54f798c1$cf3aab60$ snipped-for-privacy@news.flashnewsgroups.com...

Some points. No such thing as a semi industrial machine. That is the Ebayers way of describing an older heavy weight home sewing machine. The proper machine for the wok you describe is actually an industrial walking foot machine. There is nothing more expensive than spending money on something that will not work for the job you intend to do.

Thanks Barbara, I bought some size 16 leather needles and size 16 woven round point. Not sure which is best for sails.. perhaps the round point?

I didn't know you could get size 18 I will look for some of those then.

Colin

replying to Ron Anderson , Colin wrote: Thanks for the advice Ron,

unfortuantely However, at the weekend i decided to buy one as they are fairly cheap... a Janome New Home i am hopeful that it will at least do some of the smaller repair jobs... but probably not major jobs such as the luff bolt rope of our Genoa which is really really tough.

Actually I had worked out that they are just old sturdy machines from the time before plastic was invented.. in fact the ebayer in question said as much

What is a walking foot? It has one apparently. is that good?

It also has a zipper foot... I have loads of kit with broken zips ;-)

Colin

:What is a walking foot? It has one apparently. is that good?

Your machine is probably up for inserting zips on most lightweight kit. It might, or might not, do typical boat canvas stuff (covers, etc), depending on lots of things.

But, an absolute requirement when sewing leather! So sez an acquaintance who sews motorcycle leathers for a living.

nb

:>

An actual walking foot -- which is a type of machine, not an attachment -- is very useful when sewing leather, indeed.

Oh yes. A walking foot dedicated commercial machine. Not some pro-sumer attachment. Bring $$$$. ;)

nb

:> An actual walking foot -- which is a type of machine, not an :> attachment....

:Oh yes. A walking foot dedicated commercial machine. Not some :pro-sumer attachment. Bring $$$$. ;)

Singer 111 and clones sell for about 500 or 750 around here.

Shoot. I wish you guys were closer. I have an old Thompson Walking Foot portable gathering dust in my basement sewing area.

where do you live?

nb

Nevada. In the wiiiiiide open spaces.