Need Heavy Duty Machine, Please Help!

[airthug84]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, but let me say how impressed I have been with the amount of knowledge and info available here... thanks to everyone that's contributed!

I'm in the market for a heavy-duty machine... problem is, I'm not really sure models I should be considering.

I will be making safety harnesses, sewing through fairly thick work consisting of foam, layers of webbing, etc. Walking foot mandatory. Pretty high lift foot would be really useful, and a large bobbin would be nice but isn't mandatory. Reverse IS mandatory. I also require a machine that can use 207 thread.

I have some experience on a Juki LU-563, but am told it will not sew 207 thread? I could also use a higher lifting foot than the 563, although I was able to squeeze stuff under there with some effort.

I did some shopping and was told with certainty (by a salesman mind you) that the Juki 1508NH was THE machine for me... but at ~$2400, it's a bit out of my range. I've also been told not to buy new?

Any advice on some models to consider would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Or if you have a 1508NH (used), or something appropriate for my needs, that you'd be willing to part with????

I'm located in Utah, but am willing to travel for the right machine. Thanks so much for your help....

-Ryan

[TwinOaks]

Call Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial (ad banner at top of page) 866-362-7397. He sells new and used machines and may be able to point you towards another suitable machine if he doesn't have what you are specifically looking for. One of the key things to tell him is the maximum thickness you'll be sewing. It's not a good idea to run a machine at max capacity, so be looking for a machine that will sew a little more than what you expect.

Given the advice you were given, I'd suggest looking at some of our suppliers and checking out the -618 clones, or the Consew 206RB.

Artisan has it here: http://www.artisansew.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=194

Cobra Steve has one here: http://www.leathermachineco.com/catalog.php?item=5

And Bob Kovar has this Consew: http://www.tolindsewmach.com/consew-206rb.html He also has the Cowboy CB318, but it doesn't pull a spec sheet on the web page.

There are other options, not just those 3 (4), so check w/ Bob, and keep an eye on this thread.

[airthug84]

Thanks TwinOaks! I'm going to check out some local shops here in Salt Lake, then I'll call Bob as you suggested.... and I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if others have ideas about what I should look for...

Thanks again!

[KAYAK45]

Good morning Ryan:

I'm not a dealer, but I slept at a holiday inn last night.

You need more machine than you want. New can be GOOD! Especially for a new sewer. Go ahead and check out the "4" class machines, set uo correctly for your need and shipped COMPLETE.

How many hours do you want to spend searching for a used machine? How many hours to research needles and thread and tension adjustments on your own?

A $2,000 TOP-OF-THE-LINE machine only will cost you about $35 per month over the next five years and then it's FREE for the rest of your life, or sell it for nearly the purchase price.

There are few 4 class for sale used.

That's because they are that good. and if somebody wants to sell, they go in days.

Buy new and get the dealer support you WILL need.

Just a thought for you.

Good luck on your decision,

Kevin

[Ken Nelson]

you might consider a Cobra Class 3 if you don't need the throat capacity of a Class 4. You will not be disappointed with either machine and if you call steve, he will be able to give you GREAT advice and it won't cost you. Great Machines, and service out of this world. Hope this helps. Ken

[amuckart]

Do you need a cylinder arm or a flat bed machine for the harnesses you're making? When you say "fairly thick" what do you mean, 1/2"? 3/4"? 1-1/2"?

For *serious* heavy duty stuff, you want a 7-class machine using SM x1000 needles.

[airthug84]

Ok, been doing more research... here is what the industry expert is using for this same application:

Juki 563 w/either 92 or 138 thread

Consew 733R w/"5-chord" thread

Part of my dilemma has been that I'm trying to find ONE machine to do what everyone else seems to do with two...

The absolute minimum thread size I need to use for the structural components is 207. Most places are saying that if I need one all-around machine, high-lift walking foot, that can use 207 thread, then the Juki 1508NH is what I crave. Other than that, I'm hearing I'd be better off with two machines.

While 2 machines would be ideal, I don't think I have the budget at this time... I'm looking at between 2-3k for a new 1508NH w/motor, table, etc, which is still high for what I have budgeted. Used class7 machines seem to start about there, and it would be really impractical to sew the smaller stuff on a big machine, so that won't work for me... a local shop here has the 1508NH machine with a heavy duty table and a 3/4 horse servo motor... That's definitely where I'm leaning.

If business is good and later down the road I can afford a class 7 monster and run "5-chord", all the better... but for now, all of my research has pointed me toward the 1508NH.

When I say thick work, I probably mean 1/2" to 3/4", layers of 600 denier cloth, 1/4" foam, 3,4,5 layers of webbing, and sometimes some 'ballistic' pack cloth. I'll also be sewing velcro, zippers, things like that... but that's not the thick stuff... And I definitely need a flatbed machine...

Does anyone have any experience with the Juki 1508NH... particularly if you've used it with 207 thread???

-Ryan

Edited September 2, 2011 by airthug84

[TwinOaks]

How about something like the Cobra class 3/ Toro 3000/ Cowboy 3500 (or jump to the 4 class) ...............and make or buy a flatbed attachment for it?

That gives you LOTS of room under the arm, LOTS of room on the presser foot, as well as the versatility for multiple thread sizes. The 9" and 16" machines are Juki 441 clones and will do at least 3/4" under the foot. They also have unison feed which you specify needing.

[amuckart]

From a quick look at the specs of that Juki on the 'net I think it's going to be too light for what you want. Foot lift by knee is only 16mm, which is only 5'8", which means you'd be running the machine close to or at it's max capacity all the time, which you don't really want to do.

TwinOaks has the right of it, call Bob and Steve, tell them what your budget is and what you're sewing and they'll see you right.

[barra]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, but let me say how impressed I have been with the amount of knowledge and info available here... thanks to everyone that's contributed!

I'm in the market for a heavy-duty machine... problem is, I'm not really sure models I should be considering.

I will be making safety harnesses, sewing through fairly thick work consisting of foam, layers of webbing, etc. Walking foot mandatory. Pretty high lift foot would be really useful, and a large bobbin would be nice but isn't mandatory. Reverse IS mandatory. I also require a machine that can use 207 thread.

I have some experience on a Juki LU-563, but am told it will not sew 207 thread? I could also use a higher lifting foot than the 563, although I was able to squeeze stuff under there with some effort.

I did some shopping and was told with certainty (by a salesman mind you) that the Juki 1508NH was THE machine for me... but at ~$2400, it's a bit out of my range. I've also been told not to buy new?

Any advice on some models to consider would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Or if you have a 1508NH (used), or something appropriate for my needs, that you'd be willing to part with????

I'm located in Utah, but am willing to travel for the right machine. Thanks so much for your help....

-Ryan

G'day Ryan. You can't skimp on this one because as you have said,

I will be making safety harnesses.

Now I am in Australia and your in The US where rules and regulations are different but I would hazard a guess similar (again that one word - Safety jumps out at me). Not knowing exactly what harnesses you are manufacturing makes things a little tricky but from what I have read I am leaning toward the 7-33 class of machine and probably a second machine for components like zips.

Barra

[busted]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, but let me say how impressed I have been with the amount of knowledge and info available here... thanks to everyone that's contributed!

I'm in the market for a heavy-duty machine... problem is, I'm not really sure models I should be considering.

I will be making safety harnesses, sewing through fairly thick work consisting of foam, layers of webbing, etc. Walking foot mandatory. Pretty high lift foot would be really useful, and a large bobbin would be nice but isn't mandatory. Reverse IS mandatory. I also require a machine that can use 207 thread.

I have some experience on a Juki LU-563, but am told it will not sew 207 thread? I could also use a higher lifting foot than the 563, although I was able to squeeze stuff under there with some effort.

I did some shopping and was told with certainty (by a salesman mind you) that the Juki 1508NH was THE machine for me... but at ~$2400, it's a bit out of my range. I've also been told not to buy new?

Any advice on some models to consider would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Or if you have a 1508NH (used), or something appropriate for my needs, that you'd be willing to part with????

I'm located in Utah, but am willing to travel for the right machine. Thanks so much for your help....

-Ryan

You should get in touch with the gentleman that runs a harness shop in Troy, Montana. I don't know your limit of "willing to travel". He has some sewing machines that might me what you are looking for. Northwest Harness is the name of the shop.The last time I talked to him he had a couple of used Juki 441's.

Edited September 3, 2011 by busted