Re: Sail repair/makers...
You can sew sunbrella and vinyls quite well with an older home machine. I have 1956 Domestic and 1964 Singer that do it. The machines made in Japan between the late 50s to 60s are what to look for. Brand names are White, Kenmore, Mercury, Domestic, etc. and they all look very similar. Ebay has them for $50 and so will you local sewing machine shop...they practically give them away. <br /><br />The only thing you may have to do is increase the foot and tension pressures. Just make sure your needle and thread are matched. V92 dacron thread is the heaviest you want to use or V69, the next smaller size. They are NOT walking foot machines but will pull the fabric through easily. Sail material is slippery and harder to feed than sunbrella so taping or gluing first makes it easier.<br /><br />About the Sailrite machines...I have a Mercury clone of theirs that I bought new off ebay for approx $225. I've had it about 4 yrs and it sews great. I bought it for the portability and walking foot. It is otherwise identical and parts interchange. Sailrites are aok but I wouldn't worry one bit about buying a clone for $200-$400 less. Thompson is the original design that everyone copied with these machines. They have the small motor and are geared for power. There is no problem punching througn 8 layers of sunbrella. Sewing speed is very slow due to the gear ratios for power but that makes it easier for casual work. These machines aren't as smooth and refined as a commercial machine but they are aok for home projects and as backup machines in canvas shops. For big jobs I have an industrial Singer that runs on a 1/2hp clutched motor. <br /><br />I don't sell anything but used to have a marine canvas shop...25+ yrs ago. Still sew but only for a hobby on my own boats.
