New sewing machine! probably too much for what I need.

[gordonl]

So, I think I bit off a bit more than I needed to.  I had been looking at Facebook Marketplace for a couple of months wanting a 206RB or similar.  After missing a couple of good deals, I jumped on a deal that may have been a mistake.  A Highlead GA-2688L came up for sale.  Prior use was in a Nabisco cookie factory sewing conveyor belts.     I got it (head only) for $400.  I am still not sure this was a great purchase, but here we are. 

I used a bunch of degreaser and even had to powerwash it.  I am sure I am going to get roasted for that, but it was a mess on the outside and in. 

Attached are some photos.  I still need to make a table, get a motor and get it running.  So a bit on an ongoing project. 

My initial goal is to sew leather cushion covers for a chair I am making.  I know this is huge overkill, but I am assuming it will work. 

[AlZilla]

Well, I love it. Be sure to pack a lunch when you hike down to reverse it for your backstitch.

[BlackDragon]

20 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

Well, I love it. Be sure to pack a lunch when you hike down to reverse it for your backstitch.

[AlZilla]

I do think you'll struggle getting it to sew thread light enough for cushions. Look the a thread called something like "dumbing down a cowboy 4500".

It'll probably sew a fender on your car just like it is.

[dikman]

Cool! You did a great job on the paint. If I need any conveyor belts stitched I know who to contact.

[gordonl]

AIZilla,  i have been pondering the reverse issue.   would be nice to have a closer lever.   been thinking about some extension. 

 

And, i will look for that thread.  I have been a bit worried what I have may not be fine enough.  we will see.

 

[kgg]

According to the manual it will take a #26 needle. The needles will leave a large hole about the size of a 2 1/2" finishing nail.

If you don't have a manual here is a pdf version.

kgg

20190619115045364.pdf

[AlZilla]

I don't know, this says it'll sew down to V92. You might make those cushions after all.

https://sunnysewingcenter.com/index.php/product/highlead-ga2688-l-long-arm-cylinder-bed-walking-foot-sewing-machine/

[Constabulary]

Good Lord 😲 - needles to say yours is bigger than mine. And I say this w/o any envy... 😁

$400 for sure is a good deal - money wise. But otherwise it pretty much is an overkill for most projects, Bigger is not always better.

Maybe setting it up selling it and looking for something smaller would be a good idea. But due to its size it could take some time to find a customer. There is big $ in machines of this size.

Edited 16 hours ago by Constabulary

[kgg]

2 hours ago, Constabulary said:

Maybe setting it up selling it and looking for something smaller would be a good idea. But due to its size it could take some time to find a customer. There is big $ in machines of this size.

I agree.

kgg

[gordonl]

I have been also thinking that selling is the best option.  I think that if I were to get it actually running it may be easier to sell.   But I am struggling to make a table that is strong enough and does not cost a ton.  This thing weighs 200+ lbs and the center of weight is near the bobbin winder, so way out from the base bolts.  

[AlZilla]

15 minutes ago, gordonl said:

I have been also thinking that selling is the best option.  I think that if I were to get it actually running it may be easier to sell.   But I am struggling to make a table that is strong enough and does not cost a ton.  This thing weighs 200+ lbs and the center of weight is near the bobbin winder, so way out from the base bolts.  

Bolt it to the bench it's sitting on, bolt a motor to the bench and run it.  If it'll run down to V92 without issue (the size of the slot in the needle plate might be way too big and cause whatever your sewing to get sucked in), use it until it sells. You probably don't need all 3 feet of cylinder arm dangling free.

[mbnaegle]

I'm in agreement that if you are not sewing heavy materials, it will be better to sell this machine to someone who needs it and buy something better suited to your needs. I remember working on a couple of very similar Highlead machines (Normally we don't work in import machines like Highlead, but these ones were unique). I think they were model GA2698 like the attached video, but they are built on the same deep throat cylinder arm frame as the machine above. Those machines however are configured for "up-the-arm" stitching, where instead of stitching front to back, your material went left to right. A company was setting up to use it to make leather archery quivers so each piece had 24" of stitching and then was pulled off the arm. I guess my point is a big arm like these machines have has a purpose, and it can be a pain to deal with if you are not using it.

Youtube video

A machine like yours is way more versatile being in the same family as a Juki 441, Adler 205, etc. which are useful to someone doing saddle and harness type work. The deep arm would be unusual, as the only application for deep throat machines I'm aware of in that industry is sewing saddle blankets, which is usually done on a flat-bed machine. If someone was trying to add leather reinforcements to custom saddle blankets and sew them roughly in the shape they would be on the horse (not flat) this machine might be just the ticket. It could also be useful in making heavy webbing slings for rigging and helicopter rescue.

If setting this machine up to use, the ones we worked on were on tables that were very similar to used for Juki 441 with the same motor and reducer, but the base was much longer and more substantial (like in the video). Essentially a heavy duty pedestal stand for a big cylinder arm machine, but with an even heavier duty and wider base. With all that length and weight hanging out there, the last thing you want is for this thing to end up on the floor, so I would either invest in the proper stand, or get crafty with the welder and fab something that is going to allow the operator to fully utilize the machine, while also fully supporting it. It might also be an opportunity to incorporate a removable flat bed extension. Something like a big sheet of reinforced plywood that fits around the arm for typical work, but could be removed when you want to use the arm.