Not satisfied. Recommendations for better sewing machines?

[CamoDeafie]

So... my Singer Heavy Duty 4411 seems to not want to cooperate with the #69 bonded nylon thread and 420D uncoated Nylon fabrics... the symptoms are basically...

Bobbin thread not getting pulled into lock stitch

With 2 layers of webbing on top of nylon fabric, presser foot down, I get gnarly loops

If I flip so that fabric is on top.of 2 layers, little better but I can see knots/loops from top thread..

Bobbin thread just "lays" there, with a seam ripper, I can easily pull it out like a basting stitch.

Fresh #16 and #18 needles tried.

Checked tension dial
Rethreaded machine with tension set to 0
Tension cranked to 7 to 9 depending on how big loops look..

Bobbin tension left alone, did adjust last night, no change in actual stitches...

So.


The machine in question.

Scrap. Coyote thread was bobbin thread, same size. Smaller stitches from Riccar 2925 school machine.

Underside and showing loops from 2 layers of webbing on top, and flipped around.

I have a Singer 15-91 that's awaiting some parts but.. if it doesn't do what I need it to do... even though in theory its supposed to be strong enough... being mostly steel gears with a bakelite gear on the handwheel... I'll have to sell it and look at getting something like what's available from Sailrite.. OR find a decent reputation Industrial Sewing Machine... like a Singer 20U series, a Read's Sailmaker, a Juki, Brothers, or older Consew machines... I don't know. Getting annoyed with stitch quality resembling Chineseeium more than Armani.

Edit. Diagram added of what balanced stitches should look like
Right now mine looks just like "upper tension looser than lower"

Read More

 

[titsonritz]

Go commercial.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Go commercial.

Uhhh there are different grades of "commercial" sewing machines lol. Singer had a series of "Commercial" sewing machines that aren't much different from the Heavy Duty... but machines like what www.sailrite.com offers, especially their LSZ series of portable Walking Foots seem to be classified as commercial portables, whereas the Sailrite Fabricator machine is in the Industrial class, IE, motor on table, oil bath pans, cone spool holders, 110v to 220v power options...it's in that class range that I'm finding a lot of variations like for example, big sized but only suitable for garments/lingerie or shirt fabrics... so...that's why I'm looking real hard at the machines used in the sailmaking industry and the leather industry as well... Sunbrella and Cordura's used a lot on boats these days.

 

[pharmseller]

Get a woman.

Duh.

Plus you get sammiches.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Get a woman.

Duh.

Plus you get sammiches.

Lol.



Wife. Kid. Got plenty of sammiches. She doesnt sew at all. So its me. The 4411 did good on swimwear fabrics and dress fabrics though.

 

[Lilhigbee]

Always too late to the party. Last weekend at an estate sale there was a Rex 618 machine for $38. I'm no expert but it looked like it could sew fenders onto cars.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XB1vuQsebTo/maxresdefault.jpg

 

[CamoDeafie]

Always too late to the party. Last weekend at an estate sale there was a Rex 618 machine for $38. I'm no expert but it looked like it could sew fenders onto cars.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XB1vuQsebTo/maxresdefault.jpg

Thats a TOTALLY unsuitable type of sewing machine for my needs. That particular machine is just for blind hemming draperies.

 

[Cavedweller]

Wife is a retired professional tailor. She says Singer won't cut it. You need industrial machine for your applications. She says Consew is the way to go. She has a Consew 230. That would meet your needs. But these machines are big and heavy. Definitely not portable.

consew 230 for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for consew 230 at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

Consew 230 Sewing Machine reviews and information

Research Consew 230 Sewing Machine. Read 230 reviews and compare features

sewing.patternreview.com

 

[CamoDeafie]

Yeah; Consew doesn't seem to be that available locally, but it does look like an option.
I'm looking at these

Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LS-1 BASIC Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

The Sailrite^® Ultrafeed^® LS-1 BASIC Sewing Machine package features our powerful, portable, straight stitch walking foot sewing machine. This package is perfect for first-time sewers who are looking for an easily portable, heavy-duty machine, for boat owners looking to sew...

www.sailrite.com

According to Sailrite themselves.. its able to work with heavy canvas, upholstery, sailcloth, vinyl, and the like... on the othet hand.. a machine more like the below

Sailrite® Standard Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package (110V)

DetailsThe Sailrite® Standard Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package is a sewing machine to build your business on. A full-size industrial, straight stitch sewing machine with a compound walking foot, the Fabricator was designed for canvas, upholstery or awning shops. It’s also a great choice for...

www.sailrite.com

Seems to be better, and is an industrial sized, duty, faster machine...... but...

Read’s Sailmaker sewing machine - general for sale - by owner

I have an old Read’s Sailmaker for sale. Does a nice zig zag and straight stitch. Comes with a few extra parts. In very good condition. Comparable to a sailright machine. But does not have a walking...

seattle.craigslist.org

Reading up on this particular machine it seems like a predecessor to the Sailrite machine but without a walking foot which may or may not be important..

And lastly, I see on Craigslist this machine which makes me wonder...

Singer Industrial sewing machine - general for sale - by owner

Singer model 2023 straight stitch/zigzag Sews great Has additional bobbin winder. $500 obo

portland.craigslist.org

It looks like a small machine relatively.. I think the model name is supposed to be 20U33, as thats the only ones that matches the color and shaping of this machine... according to the ISMACS Singer model list, the 20U series are all "Artisan" machines for light to medium duty fabrics.. several posts says it does fine with Cordura and Sunbrella fabrics.. but.. eh. I also see on FB marketplace the following models

Brother DB2-B790-5; industrial machine with table and stuff,

Juki DDL-227 industrial machine

Singer 211G-165 industrial compound feed machine (ISMACS says this was used for automotive upholstery, canvas tents/awnings, leather goods)



Hmm on a search for "industrial sewing machine", theres a boatload of old vintage domestic machines similar to Singer 66 and 15-91s

 

[Ferryman]

Get a woman.

Duh.

Plus you get sammiches.

You made my wife laugh. Shame on you!

 

[Ura-Ki]

Check Craigslist often, there are usually a bunch of machines listed there, might just find exactly what you need!

 

[CamoDeafie]

Check Craigslist often, there are usually a bunch of machines listed there, might just find exactly what you need!

Ordered some parts for the Singer 15-91 , and then took the plastic covers off the Singer 4411 and checked everything, cleaned everything, ensured tension disk assembly cleaned and functional, then put covers back on, and rethreaded machine again, same routing, same Tension setting 0, bobbin tension left alone, fresh #110/18 needle, and... same problem even if I move tension from 5 to 9. It is possible the tension spring is too light/worn out, but I don't want to deal with the annoying C-clip holding the tension dial assembly. Not sure its needed because on light fabrics and thinner all purpose polyester thread, the 4411 does just fine.

 

[Cavedweller]

Yeah; Consew doesn't seem to be that available locally, but it does look like an option.

Too bad you didn't post this a couple months ago. Had an extra one sitting in the garage. Gave it to a leather worker in Hood River.

Ordered some parts for the Singer 15-91 , and then took the plastic covers off the Singer 4411 and checked everything, cleaned everything, ensured tension disk assembly cleaned and functional, then put covers back on, and rethreaded machine again, same routing, same Tension setting 0, bobbin tension left alone, fresh #110/18 needle, and... same problem even if I move tension from 5 to 9. It is possible the tension spring is too light/worn out, but I don't want to deal with the annoying C-clip holding the tension dial assembly. Not sure its needed because on light fabrics and thinner all purpose polyester thread, the 4411 does just fine.

Wife says nylon thread is hard to work with. She thinks maybe the thread is too thick for the bobbin. She recommends a different type of thread, or a Consew.

ETA: She says try polyester thread. Nylon is too stretchy.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Too bad you didn't post this a couple months ago. Had an extra one sitting in the garage. Gave it to a leather worker in Hood River.

Dang, yeah..

Wife says nylon thread is hard to work with. She thinks maybe the thread is too thick for the bobbin. She recommends a different type of thread, or a Consew.

ETA: She says try polyester thread. Nylon is too stretchy.

I'm just trying to follow Mil Specs for ALICE equipment and MOLLE... which specifies E/69 bonded nylon thread for 420D Nylon Duck, 500D and 1000D Cordura.

 

[Member 52301]

I can't answer your question but this is a good and interesting thread. Thank you!

I do sew but I have not in some time.

My late Mom was an excellent seamstress. That was not her profession though.

My late blood 'Aunt' (Dad's sister.) was a professional seamstress in her home country, later on in the U.K. and when she came to the USA as a LEGAL IMMIGRANT.

Cate

 

[Member 52301]

One of the ladies in my former state/township sewed a lot. She and I made some things for our husbands and for our Volunteer Fire/EMT Department. They were volunteers and we helped too.

Her sewing machine was one from Switzerland if my memory is correct there. I have not spoken to her since the winter/spring of 2002.

I heard good things about German, Swiss and Japanese made commercial sewing machines on some old forums that I used to read often but no longer do.

Best wishes to you.

Cate

 

[CamoDeafie]

There's a White Jeans Machine Model 1077 locally, sitting in a thrift store with a manual. The manual has a chart of materials, settings, needle sizes.. from sheers, lingerie, swimwear to canvas, heavy denim, to sailcloth and leather. Whether or not it actually means it'll work with the gear fabrics I have... I am not sure. It made no mention of nylon duck or nylon/polyester webbing.

 

[Cavedweller]

There's a White Jeans Machine Model 1077 locally, sitting in a thrift store with a manual. The manual has a chart of materials, settings, needle sizes.. from sheers, lingerie, swimwear to canvas, heavy denim, to sailcloth and leather. Whether or not it actually means it'll work with the gear fabrics I have... I am not sure. It made no mention of nylon duck or nylon/polyester webbing.

Wife says it won't do what you want. Don't waste your money. She says home sewing machines aren't good enough for heavy duty work even if they say "heavy duty."

This might work for you:

Borletti Sewing Machine - Premium Quality from late fifties Italy -...

For the last 15 years or so, I have been collecting, studying, re-conditioning, modifying, and sewing with a variety of sewing machines, searching for the “perfect” machine. Well, perfection doesn’t...

salem.craigslist.org

Wife says Jukis are the best, but they are spendy. This one is almost new:

Juki 9010A-SH Juki Needle Feed Sewing Machine with Automatic...

Up for sale is Juki 9010A-SH industrial sewing machine. This machine is a direct drive machine so the motor is in the head which gives it a very responsive feel. It comes with all the automatic...

bend.craigslist.org

PFAFFs are good

industrial sewing machine PFAFF 535 - household items - by owner -...

Good working order comes with everything you see. Table, motor

portland.craigslist.org

 

[TTSX]

Listen to caveman Jim's wife. I've made mistakes of not listening to professionals before and regretted it. There's no such thing as a good deal on the wrong product

 

[Ura-Ki]

Wife says it won't do what you want. Don't waste your money. She says home sewing machines aren't good enough for heavy duty work even if they say "heavy duty."

This might work for you:

Borletti Sewing Machine - Premium Quality from late fifties Italy -...

For the last 15 years or so, I have been collecting, studying, re-conditioning, modifying, and sewing with a variety of sewing machines, searching for the “perfect” machine. Well, perfection doesn’t...

salem.craigslist.org

Wife says Jukis are the best, but they are spendy. This one is almost new:

Juki 9010A-SH Juki Needle Feed Sewing Machine with Automatic...

Up for sale is Juki 9010A-SH industrial sewing machine. This machine is a direct drive machine so the motor is in the head which gives it a very responsive feel. It comes with all the automatic...

bend.craigslist.org

PFAFFs are good

industrial sewing machine PFAFF 535 - household items - by owner -...

Good working order comes with everything you see. Table, motor

portland.craigslist.org

That's the one, Juki! We had a bunch of those over in the Riggers Shop, the riggers used them to repair or modify our gear, including making custom fit stuff like custom slings, harnesses, web gear, and the like. I never got the chance to use one but they did seem to be powerful enough to run through some pretty thick and heavy fabric and leather!