DarkKnightGC

FYI, I hold the opinion that you should treat products you are happy with the same way you treat products you are dissatisfied with. I have given scathing reviews on products that I have found to be a ripoff when the company wouldn't make it right. The internet can be used for positive and negative, but far too often the reviews are written only about the bad products. I wanted to give praise where it was due.

I initially thought about getting the CB3200, then the CB3500, and finally thought about regrets I may have later. Like getting a 305 when the 350 is only slightly more (for those of you who messed with Chevy V8's). So after talking to Ryan O. Neel at Neel's Saddlery, and figuring out my finances to make it fit the budget, I went with the CB4500. I could not be happier. I'm sure I would have been thrilled with the 32 or 35, but I'm glad I went with the 4500. Just as smooth as can be. I've put some miles on it and had no problems at all. I cranked the servo motor down to the slowest speed setting and just started with some scrap of what I am normally stitching. I wanted to make sure I figured out this machine without messing anything up. As it turns out, having used smaller machines, there was no learning curve. I just started using it and never looked back. Ryan was awesome to deal with. I found the machine a breeze to set up because Ryan had already explained the finer points before I even received it. The 4500 was already adjusted exactly for my needs and use. I was on the fence for a heavy duty machine, and went with the "go with the biggest you can afford, as to not limit your future projects" idea. I got detailed information on each model and I'm glad I did, too. I was able to make a decision based on being fully informed. Obviously, I highly recommend this product and after about a month of use, I'm still thrilled about it.

This is tops on the list. From what I've read here and elsewhere, it's tough to beat the quality and service for the price.

Well, as it turns out, I was able to modify this machine to run quite well using #138 and size 22 needles through 2 pieces of 9 oz veg tanned leather. You're correct, though, it was never going to work well for long with any larger thread. In the end, I'll humbly admit that it wasn't worth my time. I'm going to finish a few projects with it and use my earnings to buy a heavy duty machine. I'll definitely keep the 151W around, as it is an excellent flatbed machine for my light and medium work. I'll most likely move to a 441 clone... Now to find one!!

I appreciate your response, but never sounds like a challenge. I'm going to figure out what modifications I need to do to make it work. Anybody have any tips? I'll definitely do a follow up when I get it up & running.

Hi all... I'm fairly new to this, so any help would be appreciated. I picked up a singer 151W1 walking foot industrial sewing machine (c.1962) and wondered if anyone has any experience with these. I have found all of the info on ISMACS and around the web on this machine, but I haven't found any real firsthand user info. I make holsters and cartridge belts and hand stitching has gotten painfully slow. I got a great deal on this machine (it came with a table and a SewQuiet 5000 servomotor for $400), so I was hoping it'll work for me. I figure if it doesn't, I can put a different head on the table and still come out even (at worst). I have t210 bonded nylon thread, size 22 needles and little experience. Has anyone used one of these or have any advice? Thanks in advance, Carl