stickandtin

Lee, thank you for the reply and the pics. Since we bought our first machine from Bob at Toledo Industrial, I called to see if they had any used needle feeds with reverse. Talked with Bobby and he said they had several but none with reverse. He then told me Cowboy makes a needle feed, the Cowboy 538. Anybody on here have any experience with this machine?

Ok, so a straight needle feed with reverse(for the wife) is what I should be looking for. Thanks again Eric!!

Seller didn't post any pics of the front.

Found this for sale online. Ad doesn't say what model it is. it has a Singer motor mounted under the table(looks like a clutch motor). Any idea what model it is and what it was used for?

After a week of searching the net, can't find a single 211G157 for sale. Anybody have any recommendations where to look? Also wanted to be a little more specific on what I'm initially wanting this machine for. I restore vintage travel trailers, mainly silver streaks, airstreams, streamlines and avions. Most of the curtains in these trailers are higher quality thicker drapery material with a thermal lining. More often than not the curtains need replacing. Most of these curtains are pinch pleated. In other types of trailers I restore(canned ham style), the curtains are made of thinner material with a backing material. Thus my question about a machine to handle light to medium weight fabrics. I have been farming the work out but since my wife started doing upholstery work, I figured why not sew the curtains. Back to my original question, is a needle feed/drop feed like the 211G157 the best machine for this application or should I be looking for a different kind of machine. I would like to find a good used one and not have to spend $2-3,000 on a new one. Wife says whatever we get, it has to have reverse LOL. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Eric, thanks so much for all the help. The 211G157 sounds like the machine we need. Now, where to find one?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of needle feed and drop feed? Not finding any information comparing the two. What's the presser foot lift on the 211G157?

Eric, thanks for the recommendation. I looked up the specs on the 211G and see it doesn't have reverse. Did singer make a 211 model with reverse? What's your opinion of the juki DDL5550N set up with a servo?

Eric, thanks for the recommendation. We don't do full time production work so the 9010 is way more machine than we need. Currently we do upholstery part time. The 1541S is perfect for that. However we are looking into getting a different machine for non upholstery projects using light to medium weight materials. We have been at this 14 months so still new and trying to educate ourselves on the best machines(new or used)for the right applications.

As the title implies, this is a non leather sewing question. However this site is the best on the net to get help. I'm looking for suggestions on what machine would be best to sew up to medium weight fabric. For heavy fabric, marine vinyl, some leather etc we have a Juki 1541S which we absolutely love. Appreciate any help.

Hi JohnV- I happen to have two of those tree trunk sections. I use one for splitting firewood. Was going to mount an anvil on the other for use in my shop. That's a good tip. Follow up on the surplus auction site. I won the auction for the doors. Got seven 36" wide x 7ft tall solid core doors 1 1/2 inches thick covered in laminate, ten solid wood doors 36" x 7 ft tall and 1 1/2 inches thick and three odd size doors.... 20 in all for $88.00. Planning on making the sewing table out of the 7ft tall laminate doors.

I don't know the first thing about sewing machine mechanics or making modifications to them. After the advice I got from everyone here, I passed on the machine.

I've heard Tenara was expensive. Hadn't had a need for it yet, but eventually want to add making RV awnings to our list. The upholstery video I was watching involved furniture and cloth material, no outdoor applications or vinyl. Bob, thanks for the advice on what monofilament can do to your machine. Can Tenara inflict the same wear issues over time?

Watching an upholstery training video. Guy on video is using clear polyester monofilament thread in his machine(consew RB1). Claims if you sew with monofilament, you never have to worry about matching thread color to material. Does anybody here use monofilament? What size needle and monofilament is recommended for upholstery weight material and marine grade vinyl? What are the pros and cons of using monofilament?

The seller says make a reasonable offer but gives no details if machine is operational and I haven't called yet. Assuming this machine is in good condition and operates as it should, what would be a reasonable offer? Is it practical to buy a machine this old to use? Thanks.

I have seen patchers with one hand wheel to operate the machine. Why does this 30-1 have two?

I love this forum!

Thanks for the price comprisons. Unbelievable how much more expensive Adler parts are.

Thanks everyone for all the guidance. Yes, I would prefer a machine that works, not one that would only be a decoration. Out of curiosity, I watched some youtube videos on older Adler and Singer patchers. I can see why a lot of people find them handy to have around. Pretty cool how you can swivel the foot around and sew in any direction. Since posting this thread I have also come across an old Singer 29-4 and a black Adler 30-1. Seller asking $500 for the Singer and other seller says make offer on the Adler. Several people have commented on how expensive Adler parts are vs. Singer parts. Can you give me some examples. Thanks.

One more

Sorry about no pics. I'm generally on the internet on my iphone in a poor service area. Let me try to post photos. Thanks

Came across a durkop treadle operated leather machine. At least the woman selling it says it is used to sew leather. She has no idea how old it is or what model it is. Sent me some pics. It has what looks like a cylinder arm sticking out about a foot and a half. I've seen similar looking machines on this forum referred to as shoe patchers. The drive belt is missing, doesn't appear to have a needle. Is this thing worth looking at for $250? Are parts available? Can these machines be converted to run on electric?

Thanks for the info. Good to know this Juki can handle a light weight job like making these curtains. I'll read up on adjusting the presser foot tension.

This is not a leather sewing question, but this forum seems to be the best place on the internet to get information on the capabilities of industrial machines. Most people have questions about how heavy a material or how many layers of material can their sewing machine handle. My question is how light a material can the 1541S sew. Specifically, my wife needs to sew about 30 linear feet of curtains for a vintage travel trailer I'm restoring. The curtains will have a thermal liner on the back side. Is our 1541S the right machine for this job? Can it be set up to sew these curtains? What size needle and thread should she use? The last set of curtains she made, she used an Elna household type machine. She was constantly having to turn the hand wheel to get the machine started. Seems like the little motor was maxed out getting the needle through the two layers of similar material mentioned up. Thanks for any advice.