sewing machines

[pcatterall]

Sorry........Made in the UK !!

 

[ean_p]

Sorry........Made in the UK !!

Yup, may have come out of a UK factory but Singer and it's engineering is all American...!

 

[geem]

Thanks all. We are now looking at a Singer 306K which we have seen. This has a good press in the sewing world. It does zig zag and a video shows it happily sewing 4 thicknesses of leather.
A walking foot attachment seems to be available.
I Looked through various sites related to the 99K it seems to have had a great life span and a testament to old British engineering! I noted that it was only after 1954 that you could reverse direction though. I did see adverts for walking foot and Zig zag attachments for the 99K as well.
I will report!

The

Straight stitching mat be all you need at the moment but it would be wise to future proof your purchase by getting one capable of zig zag.
You don't need a very sophisticated machine just basic stitches and all metal construction like old Jones or Singer.

Our singer 201k cost £90. It was from a sewing machine shop. It was refurbished with a new motor and serviced. The cost includes delivery.
Hard to beat the value for money. It has paid for itself many times over. We wouldn't swap it for another model. It's super robust and powerful.

 

[Poignard]

Singer UK Ltd have just quoted me £49.90 for servicing and setting up my Model 401G and £20 for carriage (both ways). Which seems a reasonable price. If it was found to need more work they would call me with an estimate before going ahead.

 

[pcatterall]

I did have a little think about that one, it says it takes:

(Groz Beckert or Organ),Size:14,16,18,20,21,23 System 135 x 17 Needles.

Anyone know about needles?

.

Yes!.......Now !.......I discover that the needles for my 'new' machine are rare especially in the larger sizes! they require 206x13 needles as other needles can foul the bobbins and break. The size 16 and 18 are like hens teeth apparently.

 

[Daverw]

Try these guys

Industrial Sewing Machines - Supply, Parts and Technical Service

 

[Poignard]

Try these guys

Industrial Sewing Machines - Supply, Parts and Technical Service

Thanks, that looks interesting but I do hate to see "PLEASE CALL FOR OUR BEST PRICE ".

When I am comparing specifications and prices I don't want to have to keep phoning suppliers up to get a price.

 

[savageseadog]

Yes!.......Now !.......I discover that the needles for my 'new' machine are rare especially in the larger sizes! they require 206x13 needles as other needles can foul the bobbins and break. The size 16 and 18 are like hens teeth apparently.

16-18 are small.

 

[Daverw]

16-18 American sizes?
you may find prices etc on their eBay shop

 

[Daverw]

Thanks, that looks interesting but I do hate to see "PLEASE CALL FOR OUR BEST PRICE ".

When I am comparing specifications and prices I don't want to have to keep phoning suppliers up to get a price.

I would still give them a chance, they really know their stuff about all domestic and industrial machines

 

[Ken6055]

Well spotted. These Chinese machines, marketed and branded in the UK, are about £700 and the ones I have seen are either walking foot without the zigzag or with the zigzag and without the walking foot. So this looks ideal.
Will seriously think about having a punt on one.

.

I bought a similar one but different brand name through Ali Express. It arrived as a straight stitch model, not a zig zag one as ordered. I returned it and paid the return postage. The company refused a replacement or refund. The Credit Card company reimbursed me. Not good.