What sewing machine to buy?

Q

q5ka

Seaman
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Dec 17, 2008
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Didnt know to put this in restore or here but wondering what commercial sewing machine to buy. We are restoring bit by bit on this boat and now getting close to the interior. We have a sun deck/dog house to redo along with the bow seats/storage. Side panels could use a refreshing and possibly match the seats. I would also like to make a bow cover along with sides for the convertible top for bad weather while on the water. Maybe even get ambitious and build the back cabin for the convertible top so everyone is protected. So a lot of sewing projects using anything from vinyl to cotton to plastic to canvas. Also need to do clean edges to heavy sides for snaps. Just wondering what anyone else is using. Also aproximate cost since some of the stuff we see can be cheap (but not sure it does what we want) to expensive (even used). I want to make sure I get something that can do this work and maybe (if the wife does not want to keep it) sell afterwords to recoup some of the cost.
Thanks
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

Used Consew 226R is what I have. Bought mine for $300 on Ebay which was a steal.
 
dozerII

dozerII

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

Good day. I just recently purchaced a completly rebuilt Singer HD model 15-89
circa 1947 for $380.00 and it works flawlessly. I just finnished making the new top for my boat out of Sunbrella 10oz material, as well as tire covers for the RV and boat trailer. I bought it off Ebay from this fellow" alcnational " out of Montreal Canada he was great to deal with and I had the machine in 4 days.
Glen
 
Dave Barnett

Dave Barnett

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

My mother and my wife both do contract sewing out of our homes. They work for a company that makes gun cases. My wife has always made all of our own boat covers and upholstery items. The machine they like most are their Singer 211's They are a very dependable machine and parts are easy to find for them. We have a Consew (new) that is made in Japan I really don't recommend them. Over the years I have had to become a sewing machine mechanic and the new Consew gives me a lot of headaches with needle bar and bobbin timing. We do have an older Consew that works great though. Pfaff is a pretty good machine but they require a lot of maintenance and the parts are getting a little hard to find in some areas. White is a model I would steer clear of. The factory the girls work for bought 1/2 dozen New Whites and within 6 months had all of them shipped back for repair and then ended up selling them off and buying some used Singers. I would keep my eye out for a 211 Singer used. They are fairly common and in my opinion the best machine out there. Hope this helps. God Bless. Dave
 
A

Aviator5

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

A portable walking foot machine is a better fit for his job. And easier to sell after.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

The Sailrite is definitely easier to store and haul around. The feed system is not really a real commercial walking foot system but probably fine for this type of work. A Consew is super easy to resell and very easy to get repaired and find parts. Very high demand.
 
B

bob johnson

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

if you are only sewing sunbrella type material, I wonder if a walking foot is even needed.

I am also looking for a machine to sew boat covers using the various boat fabrics and or canvas duck...

I have seen the industrial machines on Craigslist from 150 to 1500...

it seems Juki and Pfaff are the most popular... dont know what the best is..

lots of singers...but lots of models too

good luck

bob
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

The problem is when you are sewing Sunbrella and you go over a place where you have a few layers/seams on top of each other. For example, you may have two panels that meet and then you have another panel(the drawstring panel for example). You may have 6 layers of fabric you are going through! Or, in the case of a snap on top, you may have webbing, the Sunbrella and a double fold binding!

Iboats is a good site but if you really want to learn about sewing canvas, you need to check out this site:

http://www.get-up-and-go.com/upholstery-forum/index.php?board=1
 
A

Aviator5

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

Walking foot attachment and walking foot machine are two big differences. I tried walking foot attachment but ended up with a portable walking foot machine.
 
dozerII

dozerII

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

When I was making my new top yesterday and the day before, it was with heavy sunbrella. In some areas of the top I had as many as five layers of fabric as well as the sunbrella edge binding which when folded is four more layers and my "new" old singer 15-89 walking foot worked flawlessly. It has a large hand wheel that is great ro getting started in the heavy areas.
Glen
 
L

lime4x4

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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

I bought a used singer 15-91. Used it for making a whole new canvas camper top and redoing the seats. Worked great
 
A

Aviator5

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Messages
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Re: What sewing machine to buy?

I just received a new Reliable Barracuda 2000u33. Portable walking foot machine to do some seat upholstery. Looks like a knock off of Sailrite LSZ-1, but for a fraction of the price. Seems to be working fine, will se how really "reliable' it is.
 
Q

q5ka

Seaman
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
68
Re: What sewing machine to buy?

Thanks for this information. It looks like we were on the right track but having actual model numbers helps. Sure would hate to invest a grand or so on a used sewing machine and find out it will not do what we need it to do. Now the fun begins and scour EBay along with the web. Again, thanks.
 
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