Buying a used first industrial machine

[Zeekar]

Yeah Im taiking a look at the singer on tuesday and if thats a dud ill go check out the adler. The timing belt change looks like its a bit of a pain but not impossible.

Ill check that the forward and reverse match. The stich length of 5 mm is plenty. 

If you have any more advice what to check on the Singer I'm open to advice.

Any case thank you all for all the help. Its very much appreciated

Edited November 12, 2023 by Zeekar

[Wizcrafts]

I own a 211g156. I installed a servo motor with a small pulley. At the lowest usable motor speed, it runs at about 2 stitches per second. Because the machine pulley is so small it lacks the punching power of my Singer 111. So, I turn up the motor speed knob to punch through the work. This leads to the machine taking off when my foot isn't completely steady on the pedal. I only bought the machine for its reverse lever and due to the shutdowns of 2020, where our main machines were locked inside the commercial building hosting our business. If I had it do do over, I would not buy another 211 machine. It is designed for high speed upholstery, or banners, or tarps, not veg-tan leather. It really needs a reducer to get slow speed with punching power. And, it only has a G size (1x) bobbin. I also find the harp space limiting when sewing leather jackets.

[Quade]

Quote

If I had it do do over, I would not buy another 211 machine. It is designed for high speed upholstery, or banners, or tarps, not veg-tan leather. It really needs a reducer to get slow speed with punching power. And, it only has a G size (1x) bobbin. I also find the harp space limiting when sewing leather jackets.

I sort of feel the same about my 211.   It works but it's old and I hate how you set the stitch length using the hand wheel.   On the other hand it's a tank of a machine.   The modern equivalent is probably the Juki 1508.  Mine has the larger bobbin.  The 211 is an old finicky design. I don't think I ever got my forward and reverse direction matched up.  The reverse lever is clunky and requires more effort than a modern machine too. 

I'd probably avoid the machine  with the cracked belt. It's a bit of a pain replacing the belt assuming you can get one. The hand wheel has to come off and you then fish the belt around the shaft and then down. 

I don't regret messing with my old machines like the 211 but,  I have two newish Juki's I use now. One I got for free.   I can get parts for both and they just work.   

[Constabulary]

Singer 211 also came with large hooks depending on the subclass. I think the 666 subclass is a large hook machine.

[Zeekar]

According to the manual I found online the 666 class has the smaller bobbin. 466/766 are the variants with the larger bobbin.

Im not completley sold on either machine. Im not a great sewist and I like to do things well so I would prefer low speed control. If thats possible with just a servo upgrade on the singer Id be happy and done. I dont think I need the punching power to go trough stacks of veg tan leather (nylon / polyester should be easier to pierce even with the amount of layers im working with). 

The adler really suffers from expensive parts. The belt is 50€ shipped and each additional foot is between 30-50€ which also adds up (zipper feet are a must). Still from reviews it seems like a more quality machine which would serve me well if I get it serviced or I service it. I'll call the local mechanic and see what he thinks about the repair.

 

I did think about buying a new machine but the offers here seem quite poor. 

Linked machine is available for 1100€. But I cant find any reviews or experiences regarding that brand or exact machine. Paying that much money for a unproven clone is a bit much in my book.

https://www.zoje-europe.com/zoje-zj0628-set-lockstitch-machine-for-upholstery-and-leather-unison-feed-with-zoje-servo-motor-complete-machine/item/1044149

[dikman]

Replacing the Singer motor with a servo/speed reducer setup would give you all the control you'll need, and I suspect you could sell the working Efka unit to help offset the cost (maybe you can beat them down a bit due to it being 3-phase and requiring additional cost to get it running ). When you try the Singer run it fast and slow and as long as it doesn't make any funny knocking/clanking noises you should be ok.

[Zeekar]

I've recieved the info about the Pfaff and just to be sure I'm not ignoring a good machine Id ask a couple of more questions. Here is the plate:

 

If I'm reading this correctly the type is 1245 - 706/07. I havent found anything referecing to this exact model except that it uses needle system 134-35. When ever I try to find needle range it mentions models A, B, B/C, C  or D with the latter three being 1245 and the first two 245. 1245 seems to be for needle sizes 110-140 or higher. 

So what I'm trying to figure out if any one has the experience with this type. Can it be used with needles size 14 (90 metric) and thread 45 (tkt 60) (and up ofcourse) or is it too heavy duty? 

Edited November 13, 2023 by Zeekar

[CowboyBob]

23 minutes ago, Zeekar said:

I've recieved the info about the Pfaff and just to be sure I'm not ignoring a good machine Id ask a couple of more questions. Here is the plate:

 

If I'm reading this correctly the type is 1245 - 706/07. I havent found anything referecing to this exact model except that it uses needle system 134-35. When ever I try to find needle range it mentions models A, B, B/C, C  or D with the latter three being 1245 and the first two 245. 1245 seems to be for needle sizes 110-140 or higher. 

So what I'm trying to figure out if any one has the experience with this type. Can it be used with needles size 14 (90 metric) and thread 45 (tkt 60) (and up ofcourse) or is it too heavy duty? 

Yes,you shouldn't have any problems with #14 needles & 46 thread,if you do come back here & we'll help you fix it.LOL!

[kgg]

1 hour ago, Zeekar said:

Can it be used with needles size 14 (90 metric) and thread 45 (tkt 60) (and up ofcourse) or is it too heavy duty? 

From the info I have see it is rated for system 134-135 needles in the range 110 - 140 ( #18 to # 22). That to me indicates it can handle thread V69 (40) to a max of V138 (20) in thin material. I did own an old casing PFAFF 1245 for a very, very short period of time a couple of years ago and it was a disappointment. Also it did have a small bobbin.

There is a couple photo's of the machine after I overhauled it and it's name plate.

kgg

Edited November 13, 2023 by kgg

[Zeekar]

6 hours ago, CowboyBob said:

Yes,you shouldn't have any problems with #14 needles & 46 thread,if you do come back here & we'll help you fix it.LOL!

Tnx for the offer Ill take you up on it if I'll need it 

5 hours ago, kgg said:

From the info I have see it is rated for system 134-135 needles in the range 110 - 140 ( #18 to # 22). That to me indicates it can handle thread V69 (40) to a max of V138 (20) in thin material. I did own an old casing PFAFF 1245 for a very, very short period of time a couple of years ago and it was a disappointment. Also it did have a small bobbin.

There is a couple photo's of the machine after I overhauled it and it's name plate.

kgg

What dissapointed you about it? Just the small bobbin?

P.S.

Your machine does look nice after the overhaul