Sewing Machines

>we have decide to make another

All good advice on the sewing machine so I've nothing to add. One thought is if you do your own canvas work, Jane made all of ours, use Sunbrella not the Acrylics sold in the UK. The reason is Sunbrella lasts much longer but you need to buy it from Sailrite (www.sailrite.com) in the USA, it's not available in the UK, although some UK manufacturers claim to their fabric be as good. It isn't.
 
I use a Singer 801 Z2 made in Spain. It has a set of programme discs that include zigzag. I think it was probably designed for semi-professional use, as it is as strong (and heavy!) as hell. (€70 in Spanish S/H shop.)
Doing a stackpack will also require you to make a "sail-loft floor" unless you have a couple of bulk material handling people helping.
I use a couple of sheets of ply or sterlingboard on a B&D work bench and trestles.

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You have to design the assembly of the various parts so that you can get a good run at every seam with little or no material in the throat of the machine. Do a bit of work with a paper and pencil first, and use the same coloured thread in the shuttle as you do in the needle.
You may, for instance, end up making several subsections and then join them together. Inserting pins at right angles to the line of stitch means you can machine over them, also paper masking tape can be used to keep material in place, and stitched through before removal. If you're using double-sided sticky tape between sections, use lube spray on the needle.
As has already been mentioned, it's addictive. I bet you end up with winch covers, windlass cover, dorade covers, dodgers etc. and of course tool-rolls.
Welcome to the mad-house.
 
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Sunbrella fabrics are also available from Kayospruce at Segensworth,Fareham .Tel:01489 581696 and on their website - www.kayospruce.com - you should ask them for a catalogue too for 2011/12. Sunbrella fabris are there in many different colours,qualities and colours,and patterns.

No connection just another satisfied customer.


ianat182
 
I understand that those in the know, rate the Singer 201K as the finest machine Singer ever made. Made up until the 1950s firstly in cast iron and later with an aluminium body. It does straight stiching only (although there are attachments for zig zag).

I got mine off Ebay for about £35 although some go for silly money. It will stitch anything you can fit under the presser foot - canvas, leather, beer cans... Here's one in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21DeTEt-Znk&feature=related and here's one of the later ones on Ebay (for silly money!). http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Semi-Indu...Collect_SewingMachines_RL&hash=item3f14a87902
 
caiman said:
Hi fastjedi
I've got an ancient Singer 'cobbler's' sewing machine which sews webbing etc.What I need is some plans/instructions of how to make a stack pack.Could you please point me towards any usefull articles etc you may know of on the subject?
Cheers
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Go on the internet and you can find instructions for most Singer machines, although sometimes you have to pay - search on Singer manuals + model number.
 
I've a Singer 20U43 which does up to 10mm zigzag, other 20U models do slightly less. Excellent machine, instructions & maintenance instructions can be download, will do up to 4 layers of sailcloth and 6 layers of acrylic canvas. Got it for nothing as aquired a job lot of industrial machines, just kept this this machine after selling the rest.
Make sure you use double sided tape(Adventure tape?) to keep seams nice & straight - easily bought from Kayospruce who also supply all other materials, including the correct bonded polyester thread.
As said I've also used old straight stitch Cast Iron Singer machines which worked well. You can usually get these for a few pounds from local auction rooms.
 
SimonD said:
I understand that those in the know, rate the Singer 201K as the finest machine Singer ever made. Made up until the 1950s firstly in cast iron and later with an aluminium body. It does straight stiching only (although there are attachments for zig zag).

I got mine off Ebay for about £35 although some go for silly money. It will stitch anything you can fit under the presser foot - canvas, leather, beer cans... Here's one in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21DeTEt-Znk&feature=related and here's one of the later ones on Ebay (for silly money!). http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Semi-Indu...Collect_SewingMachines_RL&hash=item3f14a87902
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Damn you! ... Just a few years ago I was lusting after Kawasaki ZX9's and big tittied blondes, and now I am fantacising about Singer 201K's on Ebay. My life is over?

I'm very jelious of your 201K for £35 .... I doubt I will get one for twice that (or the ZX9, or the blonde!)
 
I repaired my thick canvas spray hood, over the years, using an ordinary modern electric sewing machine; make sure you have good needles. The needle will go through 3 to 4 layers of canvas without problem. i have only broken one needle so far; no bad.
 
All good advice on the sewing machine so I've nothing to add. One thought is if you do your own canvas work, Jane made all of ours, use Sunbrella not the Acrylics sold in the UK. The reason is Sunbrella lasts much longer but you need to buy it from Sailrite (www.sailrite.com) in the USA, it's not available in the UK, although some UK manufacturers claim to their fabric be as good. It isn't.[/QUOTE]

I think you'll find Sunbrella IS available from KAYOSPRUCE Ltd. who can supply everything you need fro any canvas and sail work. See:- http://www.sailcloth.co.uk/default.asp
 
SimonD said:
I understand that those in the know, rate the Singer 201K as the finest machine Singer ever made. Made up until the 1950s firstly in cast iron and later with an aluminium body. It does straight stiching only (although there are attachments for zig zag).

I got mine off Ebay for about £35 although some go for silly money. It will stitch anything you can fit under the presser foot - canvas, leather, beer cans... Here's one in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21DeTEt-Znk&feature=related and here's one of the later ones on Ebay (for silly money!). http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Semi-Indu...Collect_SewingMachines_RL&hash=item3f14a87902
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Well ... I take it all back. The trick is to find one on ebay that isn't described as a "Singer 201K". I am now the proud owner of a 1949 example in good working order for £30 ... and only 5 miles down the road!
 
neil_s said:
I bought a second-hand Jones electric sewing machine from ace-aparelcraftequipment (see Doug748's post above). it was only £35. It can do straight and zig-zag. It can easily sew several layers of sail cloth. It is as tough as old boots - made from cast iron. It is a domestic sized machine, though, so there is not much room to push lots of sail material through the gap. I have done lots of repair jobs to sails, upholstery and boat canvas work with it.

Neil
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+1
 
PetiteFleur said:
All good advice on the sewing machine so I've nothing to add. One thought is if you do your own canvas work, Jane made all of ours, use Sunbrella not the Acrylics sold in the UK. The reason is Sunbrella lasts much longer but you need to buy it from Sailrite (www.sailrite.com) in the USA, it's not available in the UK, although some UK manufacturers claim to their fabric be as good. It isn't.
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I think you'll find Sunbrella IS available from KAYOSPRUCE Ltd. who can supply everything you need fro any canvas and sail work. See:- http://www.sailcloth.co.uk/default.asp[/QUOTE]

Sunbrella is twice the price of good acrylic canvas. I have hatch covers, a windlass cover and various other covers (diving bottles which live on deck, horseshoe life rings etc) Apart from replacing one cover that couldn't stand up to 2 heavy cats using the cover as a trampoline and one hatch cover that left in very high winds the covers have only been replaced twice. That's 8 years a time! I'd doubt sunbrella would last any longer so £ for £ the acrylic is still very good value.:) btw +1 for Kayospruce.
 
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