Question Re Reeds (Reads?) Sewing Machines

savageseadog

savageseadog

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Does anyone know which models are suitable for sail making/repair? I've seen a model called the Sailmaker but is there a model called the Zig Zag? or is it the same thing? Do these machines have a walking foot?
Cheers
 
I think all Read's have various "feet" which connect with the serrated feed bars inserted in the needle plate. (These are the bars which lift the material and move it to and fro by an amount regulated by the stitch length indicator dial.)

My model is the ZigZag, and has a hemmer foot, a braiding foot, a roller foot, and the normal presser foot.

You really need the ZigZag, as straight stitching does have limited functions.

If you want a copy of the instructions, I can scan them and send them to you.
 
As far as I know the Sailrite is usually the machine of choice. It does have a 'walking' foot. In other words the foot moves in time with the fabric feeder teeth. This makes sure slippery fabric and multi layers do not to slip. Google 'sailrite ultrafeed'
 
In your opinion will it sew the general run of sails including Mylars and spinnakers? How much are these machines worth?

Is it Reeds or Reeds? BTW
 
Reads.

Yes, they are very sought after bits of kit, and will, with the proper needles (at least a 110 ) go through six layers of terylene.

I have not tried sewing mylar, but there's a pressure regulator for the foot which controls the squeezing of the cloth workpiece between the presser foot and the feed dog (the serrated bits in the lower work area). That should be able to help you pinch and move forward the cloth. You may have to use a ballpoint needle to avoid cutting the mylar.

Before I bought the Reads from a forumite (Hi David !), I had an old Husqvarna which was a very solid one with a cast iron arm. That did an excellent job on anything I put through it, and was only £70 from a normal sewing machine shop; sold cheaply because normal people want fancy plastic machines. We still have it somewhere I think.

I've seen Reeds go on ebay for anything from 60 to 350£. But you have to be quick as they go on the day. Price depends on whether they have a decent electric motor as well as the manual balance wheel.

I think that Full Circle is pretty nifty with sewing, and there's also another East Coaster (Bernie ?) who's a professional upholstress. Worth PMing them ?

I believe the Salirite machines are very similar in performance, but newer in design and manufacture.
 
Over here in Norway the popular machine to use is a Janome Easy Jeans with a presser foot. In the UK it doesn't seem to exist as Easy Jeans but as MyStyle 22. It's a powerful beast (I have one), mechanical, good value for money (about £300), does zig-zag and you can buy a presser foot for it. I have not sewn sails with it yet but canvas and other thick materials in multiple layers. On the Norwegian boat forum I sometime frequent there are lot of recommendations (do a google site search for "Easy Jeans") and reports of it sewing OK through 8 layers of Markilux (sprayhood material). The problem with sewing larger items is that you have limited space under the arm.
 
I agree that a number of good, solid traditional machines will cope well with sail and canvas work. I had a Husqvarna for many years and can second what Saraband has said.
I aways understood that the Reads was a sound, but fairly standard machine. I would certainly go for one, if you can get the walking foot, but otherwise others might do a good job for you. Bernina do a solid, old style, machine, for example.
I am now using a 1960's vintage Brother/Jones bought in a charity shop for twenty quid. It weighs the same as a small pony and will go through most things.
 
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