Sewing machine

[nigelmercier]

I've just ordered a brand new "SAINTS WALKING FOOT ZIGZAG INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINE" for £400:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290933989143

Never heard of the brand (although the sewing machine was invented by a Mr Saint) but I think it will be OK for the occasional heavy-duty job, look at the pictures!

A quick update on this. The machine arrived while I was away, but I have now unpacked it from the very substantial packing (box within a box). The machine itself looks very well made, but it won't win any prizes for being pretty: this is built for industry. Spares and accessories from the Sailrite machine will fit it (increasing the likelihood that they are similar). It does not have a cover, but (and this is the only bad news) the wooden base is a bit naff, so should be easy to match by a carpenter with ten thumbs. I've contacted the seller about the base, and he agrees they could be better. None of this detracts from the machine itself, which is very solid.

Forgot to say, you can get it cheaper on their web site: http://www.sewing4everyone.com/saintswalkingfoot.htm

I will post another update when I have used it.

 

[Poignard]

I need to modify a boom tent by letting in an extra panel. Most of the stitching will be through 4 layers of fairly light canvas (assuming I use an overlapping seam, ie with the seam doubled over and stitched through). Would my old hand operated Singer machine be ok for that? It doesn't have a walking foot or a zig-zag attachment. Where a seam joins another at right angles there would be a few more layers to sew through but I could do that by hand or using my Quickstitch sewing awl.

 

[sarabande]

the key, Parsifal, will be the choice of needle size and type. Ball point or possibly a jeans, really sharp, 18 / 19 size.

 

[prv]

I need to modify a boom tent by letting in an extra panel. Most of the stitching will be through 4 layers of fairly light canvas (assuming I use an overlapping seam, ie with the seam doubled over and stitched through). Would my old hand operated Singer machine be ok for that?

I reckon so. Older the better - they don't make em like they used to! (Well, they do, as Nigel proves, but at a price.)

I have a 1960s cast-iron Brother which I've just run through six to eight layers of acrylic canvas as used for cockpit tents etc. Sometimes a bit reluctant to get started in thick material at slow speed as the belt slips, but a light push on the wheel by hand gets the first stitch done and then it's away. A hand machine won't suffer that problem.

Pete

 

[Blueboatman]

I am not clever enough to know the difference between what Sailrite did to a standard machine to tweek things- there is net chatter about polishing bits and redesigning a couple of hard working bits but, I expect that has all been reverse engineered back into the standard( and significantly cheaper) machines. Well done Nigel, progress reports please?
Some of the Sailrite bits are useful IME, the 'monster flywheel' ( yet more weight) and hand crank if you are off the grid. Got a lamp over the needle end? My motor is a generic 'made in Thailand' rated at 150W so it should be easy enough to buy a 110v one from the web.
The 'naff' casing is surprisingly damp proof and robust so I have resisted the temptation to do a woody number on it, just drilling off the fixed handle and replacing with rope one that allows the machine to be strapped inconspicuously below the saloon table when on board..
Brilliant bit of kit, just about paid for itself now in Sumbrella work and chaffed seams judiciously overstiched, all 'rainy day, on board' stuff. A definite WinWin!
Do I begrudge the price of good kit, nope (well yes when handing over the dosh...)

 

[KellysEye]

> I've been making canvas work for the last 20 odd years without using a walking foot.

I agree experienced canvas makers don't need a walking foot, but novices do because they can't feed the canvas through at a constant speed and thus get irregular stiches. I would recommend to the OP to practice for a couple of hours with some cheap canvas and multiple layers of fabric, it's not easy. Also buy or make patterns for what you want to make, remember when making the patterns to allow for a double overlap on the seams. Plus you will need a hot knife to cut and seal the canvas when you cut it.

 

[lustyd]

I need to modify a boom tent by letting in an extra panel. Most of the stitching will be through 4 layers of fairly light canvas (assuming I use an overlapping seam, ie with the seam doubled over and stitched through). Would my old hand operated Singer machine be ok for that? It doesn't have a walking foot or a zig-zag attachment. Where a seam joins another at right angles there would be a few more layers to sew through but I could do that by hand or using my Quickstitch sewing awl.

I did 6 layers of acrylic canvas with my £80 plastic machine so no reason why not. If it won't, buy a cheap plastic machine and throw the old hand crank in the bin!

 

[nigelmercier]

... I have now unpacked it from the very substantial packing (box within a box)... It does not have a cover, but (and this is the only bad news) the wooden base is a bit naff, so should be easy to match by a carpenter with ten thumbs. I've contacted the seller about the base, and he agrees they could be better...
Forgot to say, you can get it cheaper on their web site: http://www.sewing4everyone.com/saintswalkingfoot.htm

I will post another update when I have used it.

If you are thinking of buying one of these Sailrite copies, wait until I have posted an update in a couple of days. In the meantime, look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVctef6IRlo&list=PL8F30F1F0E629B315&index=17

Obviously MRDA, but I can confirm that the internal parts are similar to those shown in the video.

 

[nigelmercier]

If you are thinking of buying one of these Sailrite copies, wait until I have posted an update in a couple of days...

OK, got my refund. See new thread: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...ing-Foot-Sewing-Machine&p=4317566#post4317566