Have we discussed sewing machines?

This thread from 2015

I need one to make and alter various things. I'd like to be able to sew nylon strapping material. What is the cost of an entry level machine that will see heavier things like nylon staying or other thicker materials?

My wife has one, but rarely uses it. That thing is totally incomprehensible. It appears to use some manner of magic.

You'll need a "Heavy Duty" machine. If you can find a used industrial unit, cool, but if you want a quality brand new "HD" machine, look to pay $300+ for them.

Janome makes good units.

https://www.mrvacandmrssew.com/janome-hd1000-heavy-duty-sewing-machine?gclid=CjwKEAjwwbyxBRCS74T049iEp0wSJACkO5v1ZBflV5dRsV6Ui5jNXIcHanSJBqAFb6sivLJw0VVeJRoC-YLw_wcB

My wife uses hers constantly. I know her old Singer Student model would not do what you ask, the motor just struggled with heavier materials.

The higher end ones are like cars. Demo models and end of year models are discounted. Also, sewing stores always have used ones for sale from folks who have upgraded. So go into a real sewing store (not a Jo-Anns, but someone who sells something like Bernina or Janome) and ask.

$300. Ha ha ha ha. Janel's costs more than the car I drove to work this morning, and I don't drive $300 cars.

Keith Tanner wrote: My wife uses hers constantly. I know her old Singer Student model would not do what you ask, the motor just struggled with heavier materials. The higher end ones are like cars. Demo models and end of year models are discounted. Also, sewing stores always have used ones for sale from folks who have upgraded. So go into a real sewing store (not a Jo-Anns, but someone who sells something like Bernina or Janome) and ask. $300. Ha ha ha ha. Janel's costs more than the car I drove to work this morning, and I don't drive $300 cars.

100% true about higher end sewing machines. My mom just upgraded hers (probably 15 years old), and I think the new one was close to $15k. They did give her a trade in for her old machine though that was more than she paid for it new - I'm sure she lost a bit to inflation, but the dang thing held its value well.

She does a lot of high end decorative fabrics though (like curtains and pillows), so she can actually justify the cost by making and selling stuff.

I'm sure they are just like any other tool. Best deals are found on the used market, and depending on how much you use it, the higher end ones are worth the money.

Keith Tanner wrote: $300. Ha ha ha ha. Janel's costs more than the car I drove to work this morning, and I don't drive $300 cars.

Hey that's why I put a "+" in there. I know how expensive they get, but I also know this forum is full of penny pinchers.

I'd probably be looking used. Seems like something that people don't use and would get rid of.

rcutclif wrote: My mom just upgraded hers (probably 15 years old), and I think the new one was close to $15k.

And here I thought only us men have expensive hobbies... It sounds like for your mom it's more than a hobby, but wow.

In reply to rcutclif:

$15k??

Is that that crazy one that's computerized with the touchscreen that's the size of an iPad?

My middle of the road brother does nylon strapping fine. Heavy gauge needle and button thread. IIRC it was ~150 on amazon

Doesnt get used much, but its handy when its needed.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: ... but I also know this forum is full of penny pinchers.

You sir, are far too kind. The word is "cheapskates" and I are one!

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to rcutclif: $15k?? Is that that crazy one that's computerized with the touchscreen that's the size of an iPad?

I don't know if it is 'the one', but yes, it does have a touchscreen the size of an iPad. It has software that allows you to basically upload any image and it can embroider that automatically.

I have an old Singer portable (portable is relative; it's 1960s era and weighs a ton) I got from my mother years and years ago. It's probably heavy duty enough to do a limited amount of stuff like nylon straps, but you wouldn't use it to do that sort of thing all day every day.

I'd search Craigslist or Salvation Army stores for something similar.

I've got an off-brand, cheapo machine that I bought at an estate sale for $30. Used but in the original box. On the box it brags that it can "sew up to 8 layers of denim." The current model it most resembles is a Janome HD1000 ($299 on amazon.)

so far I've sewed everything from superlight ripstop nylon, through 10oz cotton canvas bike bags, to outdoor vinyl, velcro, and strapping for an RV awning cover. I think I'm using a #14 or 18 needle. It does well, but the two layers of folded vinyl with a mounting strip and two layers of nylon webbing were pushing it.

You can probably do anything you need with a $300 consumer machine, starting out. Certainly nylon strapping and cordura, etc. Look for one with as much metal in the drive train as you can get. If I were buying new that Janome HD1000 would probably be my choice.

If you start sewing really heavy or thick material you'll want an industrial machine, particulaly something with a "walking foot" feed to pull the material under the needle. About the cheapest one I've seen that gets solid reviews is SailRite's machine - not a production environment piece but built like a tank for home use and under $1000. Resale on them is high too.

As a matter of fact, spend some time with the instructional videos and info on Sailrite's sight. They are focused on the sailing world but have a huge stake in helping the DIY sewer get things done. I've learned almost all of what I'm doing from their videos. They also have decent prices on a huge range of outdoor fabrics, hardware, etc. If I didn't have their double sided hem tape to preassemble stuff before stitching I'm not sure I could sew.

If you want more backpacking / outdoors oriented fabric, check out rockywoods.com Better prices on buckles, straps, etc as well.

So far I've figured out that sewing is a matrix of details that have to be correct for it to work: needle and thread size, thread tension, stitch type, and stitch length. Experimentation on scrap cloth to get everything tuned in is key for me. Also, if you can get a machine with an owner's manual it will make learning those tweaks much easier.

One last thought - oiling the machine regularly ins CRITICAL.

I did a bunch of research on them a few years ago. I was tired of fixing SWMBO's ~20 year old cheap Singer, and she wanted a new one that would quilt, so for Christmas that year she got a Brother SQ9050, it was a hair over $300. Depending on what kind/how thick of nylon you're working with, it could handle it. She replaced the zippers on Muffin's rollbar covers with her Brother machine.

I almost bought a Husqvarna, but when quizzing her for the features she wanted, I couldn't make a comparable low end Husqvarna work in the budget.

I know all but the industrial Singers now use plastic drive gears and are prone to stripping, so I didn't and wouldn't consider them for anything but maybe an intro to sewing class.

Now she want's a Babylock serger $$$ and she wants a legit stand-alone embroidery machine too $$$$$

Also, apparently a top loading bobbing is a feature to demand, according to SWMBO.

ultraclyde wrote: So far I've figured out that sewing is a matrix of details that have to be correct for it to work: needle and thread size, thread tension, stitch type, and stitch length. Experimentation on scrap cloth to get everything tuned in is key for me. Also, if you can get a machine with an owner's manual it will make learning those tweaks much easier.

In other words, it's kinda like welding

For heavier materials, look for something old and used. When looking at used, you want a basic chainstitch/zigzag machine made by Singer, White or Kenmore. You can usually pick them up, with a cabinet, for less the $50 at thrift stores and yard sales. If you're looking for something newer, you can't go wrong with a Husqvarna, but you'll pay for the durability.

My brother 'quilting' machine (not a long arm) will handle a lot, and will do webbing and denim, but 2 layers (denim) is about the max I can put through it. Webbing, with a brand new needle, it has done 4 layers, but that was only a half-inch worth of tacking and it didn't like it.

(edited for clarity)

Careful with Singer. The newest ones aren't what the old ones were, and parts are getting hard to find.

In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid:

There's a very basic-looking Husqvarna in the 15k range (IIRC, I haven't looked in a while), it'll sew through 6 layers of pleather without a noise, though.

Keith Tanner wrote:

ultraclyde wrote: So far I've figured out that sewing is a matrix of details that have to be correct for it to work: needle and thread size, thread tension, stitch type, and stitch length. Experimentation on scrap cloth to get everything tuned in is key for me. Also, if you can get a machine with an owner's manual it will make learning those tweaks much easier.

In other words, it's kinda like welding

I hadn't thought about it, but yeah, it's a LOT like welding!

Good information. I'll have to start looking around. The thing that got me wondering about them is my wife bought me a set of bags for the bike. I was able to make the smaller one work on my rack but the big one doesn't have straps in the right place. Then I got to thinking about all of the other things I could do if I had a machine that could sew things together.

Yeah, kind of the same here. It's amazing the useful stuff you can sew up. I have a feeling as winter weather moves in and keeps me from pedaling or sailing that there will be more sewing projects happening. If you can sew and do fiberglass, boat ownership gets a lot cheaper.

If you are doing canvas and other heavy materials, look into the machines that "sailrite" sells.. I think they start at about $500, but they are designed to work on the canvas that boats and sailboats use.. not only are they made to sew through heavy materials, but for long lengths as well

SailRite

SWMBO and I inherited my Grand Mother's Bernina 801 that she bought for something like $600 or $800 in 1981 (I think we have the receipt but not sure what the final cost was), so yeah they can be pricey. She loves the damn thing and uses it constantly. It's also heavy as lead and built like a tank. I suspect we will be able to pass it down to our grand children one day.

Keith Tanner wrote:

ultraclyde wrote: So far I've figured out that sewing is a matrix of details that have to be correct for it to work: needle and thread size, thread tension, stitch type, and stitch length. Experimentation on scrap cloth to get everything tuned in is key for me. Also, if you can get a machine with an owner's manual it will make learning those tweaks much easier.

In other words, it's kinda like welding

I've said that for years. I just bought a 70's vintage Kenmore machine from a "Grandmothers for Grandmothers" charity garage sale for $40. Works just fine. Very much like this one: