Sewing machine recommendations for canvas work?!

TQA said:
Another machine that will do the job is an old Pfaff any of the ones with the cast iron armature.

Check by trying to pick it up.

Mine cost 35 squid in a thrift shop and came with a walking foot.
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+1 Pfaff. I've got the 1199 model and it will tackle pretty much anything.
 
It is electric. Runs off our small 200w inverter. The 201k is a semi-industrial unit but looks like any other Singer. They were used by Rolls Royce to sew the Leather seats in years gone by. Very quiet and superbly made. Compared to the modern sewing machine at home the old 201k is in a different world. We wouldn't be without ours on the boat. Bullet proof.
 
I have a Singer 20U - industrial sewing machine, both straight stitch and zigzag. On a workbench so not portable but will sew almost anything. Mine is the 20U43 which does a large zigzag. Keep an eye on ebay but make sure it has a 240v motor, a lot have 3phase motors.
Just checked - there is one starting at 99p on ebay ... but it appears to have a missing throat plate, but all spares are readily available.
 
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Have a look at http://www.thesewingmachineguy.co.uk/

Then give Ian a ring and tell him what you want to make and he'll recommend a good machine - for canvas usually an older model with steel gears that he's reconn'd.

He sold me my Jones machine, it's electric with straight and zig zag stitch and as said if necessary you can fit a walking foot.

It goes through several layers of canvas with ease.

No association other than happy customer.
 
Callish said:
The upholstery , sail bags, spray hood and Bimini have been repaired before but it's time to replace. Toying with the idea of doing it myself but my old singer definitely isn't up to it! Any recommendations?
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I bought my Singer 196k5 electric sewing machine on ebay for £5 and for the past 8 years have made numerous sail covers, cockpit covers, bags, sun shades as well as sail repairs and sail modifications. It only does straight stitch. Zigzag is not essential. It does not have a walking foot but this has never been a problem to me. Will just sew through 9 layers of canvas (Topgun canvas, which is my fabric of choice). It does, however, have a large motor with a foot operated clutch to engage the drive and control the speed so the motor runs continuously once switched on.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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My Jones cost me a fiver from the local tip, and just needed a new footswitch. Since then it has re-made about 50 curtains, the upholstery on my current boat, and a dual purpose deck tent / bimini.

This sewing guide refers to a Sailrite, but is virtually the same as my Jones.

Plenty of good tips here.

Point North for fabric and sundries such as thread and needles.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/f7576wgnkoa39bp/Sewing Machine guide.pdf?dl=0

Otherwise plenty of good advice from lady seamstresses at places like the fabric warehouse, who seem to relish an opportunity to tell a bloke how to use a machine.
 
I've been given an old Toyota EC1 2700, but it makes a bit of a clanking noise, anyone know if this is worth fixing or is the machine not up to the job anyway ?

Also been looking at some Alfa machines, old metal ones, any good ?
 
Does it pick up the lower thread? Does it actually sew or is it too badly adjusted to even start?

I'd start by cleaning out any fluff.... remove the lower bobbin case and shuttle then de-fluff that. ..then oil (using thin sewing machine oil) all the moving and rotating parts... then let us know. .
 
A lot of talk about machines - and little about thread !

I have spent a lifetime making things on various old sewing machnes - mostly a treadlle straight stich Singer - and an old electric Riccar zig zag.

Bonded thread will trandsform the capability of domestic machines - either no 69 or 46 size. 69 will go fine through an 18 needle.
This is the nost important thing - more important than the machine ! If you don't believe me - then just carry on struggling - your call ! ( points North sell bonded in 3000m reels - about £16 )

Bobbin issues are often the result of a bent needle 'scratching' the feed spike ( not technical term ! - but its circular polished spike that goes through the needle loop - thus sending the thread around the bobbin case )
Anything rough there causes all sorts of problems.
 
We've recently made several canvas projects (stack pack, dinghy chaps) using either a 1960s vintage Singer or a 1979s Pfaff. The Pfaff stopped playing, breaking needles and generally misbehaving so we were on the point of ditching it but spotted a local 'sewing machine man' who took it to bits, cleaned it and rebuilt it for about £40. It's now working better than it has since it was new. Singer was a loaner and has been returned to its owner.

We've used V92 thread for our projects. Using a 110 or larger needle works fine with the thread and its relatively stiff so easy to thread. Use a little beeswax to help hold the end of the thread together if you get problems. Bobbin thread id always a bit of a problem: if you're going to start a long seam (our stackpack had 4.8m ones), the make sure you have a full bobbin before starting the seam as running out half way through is irritating.....
 
doug748 said:
For sails, I believe there is nothing fundamentally wrong with straight stitch for repairs, if that is all you have. Except for the point above, of course, which will mean you will not have such an aerodynamically polished sail.
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I have to disagree. Zigzag stitching is essential for making or repairing sails
 
Accepted wisdom is that metal gears are needed for canvas and multiple layers. Swmbo has a modern singer which has nylon gears and slips if overloade. I'm forbidden to use it any road.
 
savageseadog said:
I have to disagree. Zigzag stitching is essential for making or repairing sails
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It cant be essential since we have used our Singer to repair sails without the zigzag feature. I think it might depend on the nature of the repair required. I wouldn't sew a new panel in or attempt to make a new sail but I wouldn't do that even with a zigzag feature. I would leave that to a sailmaker.
 
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