Comments on: Industrial sewing machines

By: jane

jane — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:13:34 +0000

Hi Jennifer — I’m like you. Recently bought an old Pfaff 145 that I know is good for heavy canvas, but i havn’t sewn anything light weight with it. How has your experience been? I plan to give it a try anyway, but I’d love to hear any suggestions you might have.

Jane in Seattle

By: sfriedberg

sfriedberg — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:31:41 +0000

Pam, eBay prices are currently running $1,000-1,200 for new machines, and that seems consistent with a couple of trade websites I checked. I see one used on eBay $700, which would be a respectable price. Used at $500 would be a rock bottom price.

I should add, my pricecheck wasn’t restricted to the -2 model. A lot of the ones I ran across are -4 or -5 models. Don’t know how much of a difference there is between the models, or if that affects price.

By: Pam

Pam — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:35:20 +0000

How much is a Consew 206RB-2 on a stand worth?

By: LizPf

LizPf — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:10:00 +0000

I’d like to put in a good word for the home sewing machine.

Not everyone here is in the industry — I’m not. I’m a home sewer, doing a variety of projects, mostly clothing and household objects. [I hate the term "home dec".] I don’t have the money or space for several industrial machines.

A year ago, I bought myself a new machine. I wanted a high quality, simple machine that does the basics very well, but doesn’t blow its reliability on silly features. [I don't do machine embroidery or quilting, and have no plans to ever do so.] I could only find one machine that met my needs, a Viking 775. It’s sturdy, has adjustable presser foot pressure, a locking reverse stitch, and needle up/down. It makes good buttonholes. Yes, it has eight bazillion stitch patterns, but a good quarter of them are actually useful for garment fabrics. [And since my kids are interested in anime, I may have use for the kanji alphabet ]

This machine is perfect for my needs so to me it is the “best” machine. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued, replaced by yet another “quilter’s special” that probably has a special setting for toilet paper covers.

By: Connie sikora

Connie sikora — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:04:07 +0000

You can go to http://www.wcaa.org and you will be able to find people that are professional window treatment fabricators in your area. You can contact any of them and they would be happy to help you find a repair person!

By: Tara

Tara — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:16:00 +0000

I live in Alexandria Va, I recently inherited a Union Special Serger from my grandfather who used to make buffing wheels in his shop. I need a repair and service person to look at it. I am wondering if anyone has located anyone in the DC area yet that can do industrial repairs?

By: Margo

Margo — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:19:04 +0000

I am also looking for a repair person for an industrial machine in the Washington, DC Metro area….. Any ideas? My only leads are a sew and vac shop in Bethesda, MD, but I still haven’t confirmed that this is a service they provide.

By: Linda Queen

Linda Queen — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:12:04 +0000

I have enjoyed reading all this info. I have a Rex serger and a Babylock. I love the Rex much more even tho it is the oldest of the 2. I also have a hemmer and I love it todeath. I now want to buy an industrial machine and a embrodiery machine. I have been sewing on an industrial machine at a jobsite,and I just love the speed of those machines. (Brother & Juki)

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:28:38 +0000

Ah, all I know is that reading about all these machines has given me serious lust.

By: ladyada

ladyada — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:07:45 +0000

here is how you can change out the pulley on an industrial to slow it down: http://www.ladyada.net/rant/2007/11/hacking-an-industrial-sewing-machine/