Sailrite Sewing Machines

[Martin_J]

In case it helps others.. The bag I made sits under the machine...


When finished, the sides clip over the top...



Then the front and back velcro together at the top...



It does make it easier (and possible) to put away in an under seat locker..

And the wooden base was just a spare from some other deceased machine, with the storage part to the right cut away to accept the longer arm machine!

 

[fredrussell]

Very nice setup that Martin. Just out of curiosity, what’s the thickest thread your machine will work with. My Singer is fine with V69 thread - I haven’t tried it with V92 but I fear that may be too much for it.

 

[lustyd]

Very nice setup that Martin. Just out of curiosity, what’s the thickest thread your machine will work with. My Singer is fine with V69 thread - I haven’t tried it with V92 but I fear that may be too much for it.

It’s not the machine, it’s the needle. Many machines won’t take a needle that works with V92 reliably but most could push one through some fabric.

 

[Puffin10032]

The problem with small but tough machines is the lack of space to manipulate material. I understand going small for onboard but buying an industrial walking foot machine made everything so much easier. If I need zig zag I still have the domestic machine, but two lines of straight stitch must be as good?

And sails really need 3 step.

Straight stitch is alright for things like like covers which don't come under a great deal of strain but if you used straight stitch on a sail you'd risk the thread breaking. A very wide three step stitch is often used as an alternative to two rows of zig-zag as it saves the cloth being put through the machine twice. It's a production short-cut not a necessity. On a spinnaker it has the added advantage of being less liable to catching than a zig-zag stitch.

 

[Martin_J]

Very nice setup that Martin. Just out of curiosity, what’s the thickest thread your machine will work with. My Singer is fine with V69 thread - I haven’t tried it with V92 but I fear that may be too much for it.

I haven't used V69 for a long time. For many years I used V92 with this machine although for the past seven or eight years I have been using this...



It's a bit of a pain getting tensions correct for PTFE thread, but according to the website, it's a V138 equivalent.

Bainbridge International > SolarFix PTFE Thread White 2640 (V138) 1,920 m

These clone machines are fine with standard V92 polyester.

 

[ghostlymoron2]

Amen to that! My completely original SEVENTY year old Singer 201k is the most profoundly well engineered piece of machinery I’ve ever owned. Zigzag? Nope. but it’ll do the most perfect straight stitch through many layers of fabric, endlessly. Mine cost £50 on eBay.

…apologies for thread (!) drift.

Most sail repairs/mods require zig zag so I'd recommend one with that feature. A slightly newer Singer or Jones model has it but is still all metal construction for durability.

 

[Puffin10032]

Most sail repairs/mods require zig zag so I'd recommend one with that feature. A slightly newer Singer or Jones model has it but is still all metal construction for durability.

I think the Jones zig-zags were re-badged Brother machines. Nothing wrong with that. The quality of machines coming out of Japan at the time was superb. Jones eventually got bought by Brother.

 

[dgadee]

I haven't used V69 for a long time. For many years I used V92 with this machine although for the past seven or eight years I have been using this...

View attachment 195526

It's a bit of a pain getting tensions correct for PTFE thread, but according to the website, it's a V138 equivalent.

Bainbridge International > SolarFix PTFE Thread White 2640 (V138) 1,920 m

These clone machines are fine with standard V92 polyester.

Eek! The price! For professionals I think.