Help me pick between these two vintage sewing machines

[bernieke]

Hi,

I have a domestic brother sewing machine, and am looking to buy a heavier machine for thicker materials which it can't cope with. Heavy cotton (judogi), denim, canvas, webbing, and hopefully some leather as well.

I found these two machines locally:
* Pfaff 134-6/2BS: https://www.2dehands.be/v/hobby-en-vrije-tijd/naaimachines-en-toebehoren/m2116615574-industriele-naaimachine-pfaff
* Durkopp/Adler 211-15103 (with the thread cutter): https://www.2dehands.be/v/hobby-en-vrije-tijd/naaimachines-en-toebehoren/m2113434234-durkopp-quick-stop-industriele-naaimachine

Both seem to be in good state, with the Durkopp the better of the two.

Can anyone tell me if these machines are equivalent, or are in different categories?

Which is the better buy, considering the material I'll be able to sew, the quality of the machine, and how easy I'll be able to find parts for them?

Thanks,
Bernard
 

[bernieke]

I went and bought the Durkopp.

Apart from being told by a few people the Durkopp should be of higher quality, it's also equipped with a synchronizer and "quick stop" (thread cutter) feature.

It was regularly used for denim and canvas (the owner also has a vintage Bernina domestic for the regular work), so should be just fine for my intended purposes. In any case the machine is very solid, it's feet go up a full cm from the bed, and it's run by a chunky triple phase motor, so as long as I go slow enough I should be able to run pretty much anything through it...