Sewing Machine

[stravaigin]

Message:
About to embark on upholstery and boat cover making for our new 48' sloop, having great difficulty sourcing a good, sturdy sewing machine in UK - either lightweight domestic ones which can do 36 types of embroidery, or massive industrial ones unsuitable for taking on board. All I need is a decent length straight stitch and a simple zig-zag capability through several thicknesses of heavy material.Any ideas or contacts most gratefully received, even if I have to import.



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[extravert]

Have you tried a domestic one and failed? I use a simple bog standard cheapy domestic machine and have had no problems with upholstery. It's good for lightweight sail repairs as well.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[Roberto]

There was once the Read's (Reed's?) Sailmaker machine, small sturdy and very good, now I think they are out of budsiness but I would not hesitate in buying one second hand.

An american company that is often named is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sailrite.com>sailrite</A> but I have no first hand experience.

I did quite a bit of work with an old domestic machine, only straight stitch and variable zigzag: bags, upholstery, canvaswork and also a small sail for a star (lightweight sailcloth). Older machines are made of metal with almost no weaker plastic parts, mine at least has gone through some heavy use and still serves well. Sailrite web site has a paper with useful recommendations for easily modifying a domestic machine to do some heavier work.
It takes a bit of practice (and a few thread rolls) before being able to make something looking good, esp with thicker fabrics, but then it is very satisfactory.

problem is SWMBO now asking me to do a lot more work than the boat


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[stevebirch2002]

I contacted Reads in Southampton. They sometimes have secondhand ones of the reads Original but they supplied me with two heavy duty domestic that take care of all our canvas work which includes making several sprayhoods, sail repairs and a whole host of heavt canvas work. Cost is about £150 for them but they certainly do the job (mains only).

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[Roberto]

Steve,

would you kindly have the address/contact of Reads please ?

thanks
rob

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[stevebirch2002]

Hi

Details as below:

JJ .& J Read Sewing Machines 336 Shirley Road Southampton SO15 3UP
02380 771398

Cheers Steve Birch

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[Roberto]

thank you Steve (nm)

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[stravaigin]

Thank you very much for all the helpful replies. I have contacted Read in Southampton and they are on the lookout for me.

Kind regards

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[stravaigin]

Thank you. I will look up Sailrite as well.

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[stravaigin]

Thank you. I will look up Sailrite as well.

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[steve_cronin]

My wife\'s....

...Jones did very good service to make a sprayhood about 20 years ago once we changed the belt for a toothed one. Also it is vital to use the correct needles. Sewing shops are very knowledgeable and we were recommended to use "Denim" needles as these have a slanted knife tip and therefore cut through the fabric rather than just trying to pierce it. The design of the needles also protects the thread as the groove runs the full length of both sides of the needle. They must also only be used at moderate speed and sudden acceleration avoided as the extra friction wrecks the tension.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion