Advice needed for a sewing machine

[Valmika]

Originally Posted by foufou

When I had difficulties with my old commercial grade sewing machine I bought one from Amazon called a heavy duty Singer. A toy compared to my commercial machine. But it worked flawlessly right out of the box. The major part has a 30 year warranty! Cost $126 and with prime, free delivery. What a deal

I have one of these also. I wanted it because I saw a one hour video singer had on youtube on how to use it. I didn't know how to sew, so I needed the instruction. I have tried it and been able to go through 4 layers of Sunbrella for small projects. I paid about $119 for it.

[Cu Mor Glas]

Originally Posted by thunderhoof

Look up Rex sewing machines. Their RX-607Z is the same as Sailrite uses for their machine. The Sailrite machine is somewhat improved in the drive area but otherwise seems identical. About $285 online. I added a base, a wood box with sewing machine hinges, that fits just fine and added a magnetic LED sewing light. I believe several others market this exact machine. Works fine except necessary to tighten the clutch in the center of the handwheel when sewing very heavy material. BTW, the Sailrite instruction manual can be used with the REX.

I have one of these. It is worth noting that for about a hundred bucks worth of parts from sailrite you can add the larger wheel and posipin. This is an upgrade WELL worth performing!! the larger wheel gives you a bit more power, but most importantly low speed control. and the posi pin makes the frustrating clutch nonsense just not even something you have to think about anymore.

it's a bit uglier than the sailrite but i do love mine.


Also what Jim mentioned above about the area under the arm is very true. the 7 inch arm can make it tough to jam sail through and keep your stitch lines straight. i used to see 9 in versions of these thompson clones on ebay but haven't seen any in a long time. if i saw one again i'd consider it.

[Franziska]

Thanks to all.
I'm now in contact with someone offering me an all metal revised Pfaff 130 which has been converted to electric with foot pedal control, for 95€.
I like the idea that the engine is retrofitted, will make repairs or conversion to 12V easier should the need arise.
It's not a model with table but a box machine.

Guess it will serve me well.
For that price I could even sell it on later if I really feel that I need a Sailrite.

[JPA Cate]

Franzisca,
.
The Pfaff will do you for canvas work, cushions, and clothing. We ran ours off the inverter. (I have always done the majority of sewing below decks, although the occasional picnic table has been called into service.) I did ditch the little plastic wheel and put a larger, heavy, hand-crank wheel on it. At those times, Jim was my "motor", but most little kids would like a chance to turn the wheel and help the grown-up.

Ann

[Franziska]

Sounds perfect. Hope I'll get it, deal is 75%.
The unit is well seasoned & sturdy. About 1958. About the same age as my BF :-)

Thanks.

Fran

[Franziska]

Dear Ann, just got the deal on the Pfaff 130.

Excited & looking forward to get going!
After some testing projects I'll plan to start on a stack pack.

Any suggestions what needle and thread best to use for something like that?

Material will most likely be Sunbrella.

Cheerio, Franziska

[JPA Cate]

Franziska,

It will depend on what fabric you choose. Now, I never tried adjusting it for PTFE thread, but it would be worth a go, whether you use acrylic canvas (like Sunbrella) or polyester (like WeatherMax). If you decide to go that way, I'd use a #16 needle. If you use the UV92 polyester thread, you will want the #18 needle. It will break them in reverse unless you go slowly, and help the fabric, so buy plenty of needles till you get the feel for it.

When I made our boom bag, I used WeatherMax, and now, 2 yrs. later, I am unhappy with how much the dark red has faded. It has less fade resistance than Sunbrella, but more chafe resistance. If you use Sunbrella, use a darker color; it has more UV absorbtion than lighter ones. The Sunbrella is about twice as heavy as WM, but once installed, your stakpak will not come down often. If you can tell where chafe will occur, I'd advice stitching on a sacrificial patch over the area. If possible, cut the Sunbrella with a hot knife: otherwise, it will ravel unless hemmed or bound.

Post a pic for us, when it is finished.

Enjoy,

Ann

[Franziska]

Perfect reply, thanks so much.
First have to get the machine [emoji3] will post once it's done. Might need some time though, as for the moment there is still a shore life to be handled [emoji22]
Still happy to be able to start on that.

[Chameera1990]

So your machine is making a lot of noise when you use it? You seem frustrated and wonder what can be done.

Read for more -How to make Sewing Machine Quieter in 7 Simple Steps

https://soundproofcamp.com/quiet-sewing-machine/

[charliehows]

My attitude to sewing machines is - buy 'em by the buck. The current machine I bought for less than $200 about 6 years ago, I've been thrashing it on the basis of 'bust it, buy another' for all that time and the damned thing just keeps plugging. I've used it to; resew weather strips on genoa; build mizzen stack pack; repair work on main bag; build heavy waterproof dacron canvas cockpit cover; re-purpose old mainsail for bags and covers; tons of clothing repairs, fitting and modification; re-upholstering all main cabin pads and cushions; probably a few things I've forgotten to mention.
Got the machine from spotlight, current bottom of the line models which would suitably replace it cost less than $100 these days.

[Nicholson58]

We have a Sailright. Love+-hate. Great for heavy stuff. Extremely picky for light stuff.

[Rearsteer]

Look in the review thread. I bought and SENT back a Sailrite. NOT worth the money. I bought a singer 4452 and made a sail pack. Do sail repairs, etc. See my review.

[senormechanico]

4452


lol There's NOTHING "Heavy Duty" about it. It's made to LOOK heavy duty with gray body color and a small piece of stainless on the sewing deck.
It's the same exact model Singer has made for years and years with not much underneath besides a toothed drive belt and plastic gears.


I'm glad it works for you though.


Here's another version from 20 years ago.
Virtually the same machine inside.



I've serviced hundreds of these machines over the years.


S & J Sewing Machine Services

[Russ]

Got my Pfaff 130 ( nothing retrofitted about this model) for $75 "Barn Fresh" per the ad.
It uses a number 18 needle and with go through 8 layers of canvas with hand assist and 4-6 easily. Indestructible! If it doesn't have an external motor it isn't heavy-duty. My Singer 306 is equally good but they stopped making the large needls for it. Wouldn't ya know it has a odd needle length.

[senormechanico]

At 3:21 in the video, they show the needle differences for the Singer 306.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaGVnMPVKQw

Don't give up on your machine.

The machine can be retimed by a competent sewing machine tech to accept standard needles. BTW to me it looks like it was made by Pfaff, not Singer.