sewing machines

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pcatterall

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We have done some canvas work using 'the bosses' dressmaking machine but are considering getting something more robust.
I note that some members have been happy using the old Singer 99k and there are plenty of good looking ones on ebay at sub£100.
There are some more 'industrial looking' Singers and some can Zig Zag. An example is the 319K.
Any good advice from experience with these older semi industrial machines. (straight stitching is all we need for the current tasks.)
Thanks all
 
You can get secondhand straight lockstich walking foot machines for under £100, I’ve just bought on for £75 including stand, very heavy though and you need to fit slow down pulley.
 
pcatterall said:
We have done some canvas work using 'the bosses' dressmaking machine but are considering getting something more robust.
I note that some members have been happy using the old Singer 99k and there are plenty of good looking ones on ebay at sub£100.
There are some more 'industrial looking' Singers and some can Zig Zag. An example is the 319K.
Any good advice from experience with these older semi industrial machines. (straight stitching is all we need for the current tasks.)
Thanks all
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I have an old 196k singer that I have been using for making boat and sail covers, plus a few sail alterations, for the last 14 years. Straight stitch only and no walking foot but does a very good job indeed. It will go through 9 layers of Topgun fabric and , unlike the domestic machines, the motor runs constantly once switched on and when you put your foot down to start sewing the drive is engaged by a clutch so much easier to control when starting.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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I’d say the non-branded Chinese made Reeds Sailmaker clones are worth a look. There’s a long review type thread (apols) on here started by someone that bought one a year or two ago, I’ll see if I can find it.
 
pcatterall said:
We have done some canvas work using 'the bosses' dressmaking machine but are considering getting something more robust.
I note that some members have been happy using the old Singer 99k and there are plenty of good looking ones on ebay at sub£100.
There are some more 'industrial looking' Singers and some can Zig Zag. An example is the 319K.
Any good advice from experience with these older semi industrial machines. (straight stitching is all we need for the current tasks.)
Thanks all
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We have had a Singer 201k on board for years. Just made a new sprayhood and bimini cover.
C33CC13F-1F0C-4CD1-99B0-4257CF9B98E7.jpeg
 
I have both a singer 201k and a modern industrial walking foot machine.

The singer is a great machine and sews through canvas and leatherette well, and I have used it to make curtains and a canvas dinghy cover. Cost me £50 for the machine. I plan to keep it.

However…. Having said that, the walking foot beast makes canvas work and large items a pleasure to work on. I paid over £1000 for it but I figured that with the amount of work I need to complete it was a worthwhile investment that will save me a lot of pennies long term. The difference in quality of stitching and ease of work is significant, but with care you could do fine job with the older machine too.
 
The machines the OP mentioned are indeed semi industrial. I would suggest they are lighter duty than would be required for canvas work. It's possible to buy a full light/medium duty industrial machine. For about £100-150. Walking foot machines start at least £100 more but are a better machine for canvas work.
 
savageseadog said:
The machines the OP mentioned are indeed semi industrial. I would suggest they are lighter duty than would be required for canvas work. It's possible to buy a full light/medium duty industrial machine. For about £100-150. Walking foot machines start at least £100 more but are a better machine for canvas work.
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We have successfully done stackpacks, sun covers, board bags, liferaft cover etc in acrylic canvas with a Singer 201k. Friends recently made a new sprayhood with their 201k. We have even stitched webbing through the Genoa clew to repair a failed pressed s/s ring. That was stitching webbing to 5 layers of 10oz cloth!
Our 201k is 70 years old and still in great condition. It is super quiet compared to our modern domestic machine we also keep onboard so we can do zigzag stitching to repair kite surfing kites
 
fredrussell said:
Looks very similar to the eBay cheapo I linked to earlier. I’d love to get my hands on one of each and compare.
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Im sure the story about the SR castings is on their site. The Chinese castings manufacturer allegedly was making them themselves and the casting quality got worse for SR.?
 
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