the Artisan 3000

[Regis]

I've heard a lot of really good comments here on the Artisan 3000. But, before ploping down near $200 (double if I need to return) for shipping, I'd like to hear if anyone has experience with Ferdco Pro 440R Baby Bull with servo motor. Or, perhaps experience with both the Artisan Toro 3000 and the Baby Bull. I seriously doubt that I will ever go over the 1/2 inch limit of the Ferdco. I will only get a servo model as that has convinced me that I can run the machine as slow & safely as the manual Boss.

I'd appreciate any comments,

Regis

Edited May 4, 2007 by Regis

[Art]

Hi Regis,

The 440R is a drop feed only machine. It just uses the feed dogs to move the work. If I was doing big belts, I would want a needle feed. While a couple hundred cheaper than the 3000, I think you get a lot more machine and the ability to do bigger work if you want with the 3000. The 440 kind of fits in between the 618 and the 3000, it would be a better machine with needle feed.

FERDCO and Artisan are about the same machine wise and service wise (I have had both), although I will give the nod to Artisan for putting timing procedures in their manuals instead of just printing call us in the manual like FERDCO does. The only thing FERDCO made that was truly heads above the rest was the Ferdinand 900-B, made on a Consew 756 frame which was really a brute. They also made a 2000 Pro on a real Juki frame that was almost as good, tie either of those to a needle positioning motor like an Efka and you have the ultimate. I wouldn't pass either of those up at the right price and good condition.

On another note Happy makes a 550 Watt servo motor now that is a little better than their 400 watt model. Number HSM-550 as opposed to the old HSM-400. The new motor is 3/4 horsepower and opposed to the old 1/2 hp. While the 400 is adequate for even the biggest stitchers (with speed reducer) the 550 has a little more umphf and a little variable speed dial instead of just a switch. These newer motors are $20 more or so but worth it.

Jerry at Artisan used to be the importer for those motors, not sure of he still is.

Art

I've heard a lot of really good comments here on the Artisan 3000. But, before ploping down near $200 (double if I need to return) for shipping, I'd like to hear if anyone has experience with Ferdco Pro 440R Baby Bull with servo motor. Or, perhaps experience with both the Artisan Toro 3000 and the Baby Bull. I seriously doubt that I will ever go over the 1/2 inch limit of the Ferdco. I will only get a servo model as that has convinced me that I can run the machine as slow & safely as the manual Boss.

I'd appreciate any comments,

Regis

[Regis]

Quote: "On another note Happy makes a 550 Watt servo motor now that is a little better than their 400 watt model. Number HSM-550 as opposed to the old HSM-400. The new motor is 3/4 horsepower and opposed to the old 1/2 hp. "

Art,

Thanks for the sound advice. I don't quite undersand the above quote though? Is it related to Artisan, Ferdco, or other??

Regis

[Art]

Hi Regis,

Artisan or FERDCO should be able to get that for you. That might be a little overkill on the 618 or 1245 but it wouldn't hurt. I would definately get it on the 3000 if available.

Art

Quote: "On another note Happy makes a 550 Watt servo motor now that is a little better than their 400 watt model. Number HSM-550 as opposed to the old HSM-400. The new motor is 3/4 horsepower and opposed to the old 1/2 hp. "

Art,

Thanks for the sound advice. I don't quite undersand the above quote though? Is it related to Artisan, Ferdco, or other??

Regis

[David Genadek]

Hi Regis,

Artisan or FERDCO should be able to get that for you. That might be a little overkill on the 618 or 1245 but it wouldn't hurt. I would definately get it on the 3000 if available.

Art

Art have you tried a sewmo yet? My Amish crew just got one to replace my Adler that they had because I wanted it back. You can't tell it from the adler and in my mind for a heavy machine it is the best bargain out there. I haven't been around the artisens though but they look kind of like a toy to me.

David Genadek

[David Genadek]

Quote: "On another note Happy makes a 550 Watt servo motor now that is a little better than their 400 watt model. Number HSM-550 as opposed to the old HSM-400. The new motor is 3/4 horsepower and opposed to the old 1/2 hp. "

Art,

Thanks for the sound advice. I don't quite undersand the above quote though? Is it related to Artisan, Ferdco, or other??

Regis

Regis,

I think the thing that might be confusing you is that your thinking about the machine as the total unit but the industry thinks in terms of Head, Table, Motor,accesories. So you pick the head ,or machine, you like then you figure out which table you want and then which motor. Then do you want any pnumatics thread trimmers, attachments on and on. In a production envoroment machines are set up for very specific uses so Machine guys are really used to customizing set ups.

David Genadek

[Art]

David,

The Sewmo 441 is a Juki 441 clone and the Sewmo 205-370 is an Adler clone. The artisan 4000 is a Juki 441 Clone and the Artisan 4000P is bigger than that (but still uses Juki 441 Parts). The FERDCO Pro 2000 is a Juki 441 clone and it goes on an on, none of these machines are "toys". The Artisan 3000 is a shorter arm version of the Artisan 4000. They all use chinese castings and parts except for the Artisan 4000P and the FERDCO 2000 Pro which use Japanese and U.S. parts, that is why they are more expensive. I have seen and used all of the above and they are all great machines, some more so than others.

When I say "Chinese" I mean mostly Tiwanese not Mainlandese. There are also the Germans and the Japanese, Adler, Pfaff, Juki and Consew all make good heavy duty machines some like the Juki 441 need a little work to make them better leather machines (remove dogs new needle plate, some of the Juki 441s had a wide set of dogs that need modification). Distributors in the US (like Weaver and FERDCO used to modify the Juki 441) usually make these modifications to target a particular market.

Needless to say, "good ole American Iron" like the Campbell, Randall, Union Lockstitch, No. 9, Luberto's Classic, Landis, and Singer machines, even without reverse still make better stitches than most of the new "foreign" machines out there today.

I consider my Campbell and ASC No. 9 my "tinker toys", and use the heck out of my Artisans.

Art

Art have you tried a sewmo yet? My Amish crew just got one to replace my Adler that they had because I wanted it back. You can't tell it from the adler and in my mind for a heavy machine it is the best bargain out there. I haven't been around the artisens though but they look kind of like a toy to me.

David Genadek

[$$hobby]

before you spend any $$$ on a sewing machine, spend some time looking and thinking at what youre going to sew now and maybe in the future.

i sew alot of corura on my machine and was asked to make some Taiko drum bags. They were 1/2" foam lined with Cordura on one side and Rip Stop nylon on the inside and nylon webbing for handles and such. I had to talk them into 1/4" foam to get under my machine.

I spent way too much $$ on the machines i bought in the past and i settled for what i thougth would do, but i always ended up needed that 1/8"~1/4" more pressor foot height.

also, whatever brand/model you choose, contact the nearest distributor/dealer in your area and try to test drive it. If not, ask for any persons that have purchased one in your area and ask to get a contact number. i would see if you can see and maybe try the machine before you buy.

[BruceGibson]

If I were in this position, knowing what I know now, I'd go with the Artisan Toro 3000. I have a 4000P that everyone here knows I'm totally satisfied with. Kevin, "K-Man" uses his 3000's continually and endorses them. I use my 4000 to punch through two layers of 13/15 oz skirting plus a layer of 3/4" sheepskin, and it handles that like a walk in the park.

I think the 3000 would handle (easily) the projects you're doing now, plus have the capacity to take on most anything you'll want to do in the future.

[Regis]

I appreciate all the input/discussion and I wish there was a dealer/distributor within a couple hundred miles. I got side tracked some with Boss & Bull but, now I'm ready to move on and get the 3000. It does seem most versatile for my non-production-line sewing that I'll be doing for the next few years ( 4-9 oz).

Thanks to all,

Regis

Edited May 5, 2007 by Regis