Is there a sewing machine for me?

[D.jsherwood]

Hello all. I just joined here to ask you all gor advice on what machine to get. I dont have much, I really can only go up to about $650 on the machine itself, and I need it to redo a boat interior, so, vinyl. It seems as though each time I find one I think would work, I see one you all or folks elsewhere saying not to get it. 

[AlZilla]

More experienced voices will no doubt chime in here but you should be able to get into a used machine with that budget. A tight budget, for sure and you may end up with a fixer upper, but doable.

I'm thinking something in the range of a Consew 206RB-x (x being a number up to 5), or one of it's many equivalents. Start fishing what you find past the experts here and you'll probably get great advice. 

I'd only suggest holding out for something with reverse. You don't need it and not having it will save you money. But you'll experience a feeling of lack every time you use an older method to lock your stitches.

[Wizcrafts]

17 minutes ago, D.jsherwood said:

Hello all. I just joined here to ask you all gor advice on what machine to get. I dont have much, I really can only go up to about $650 on the machine itself, and I need it to redo a boat interior, so, vinyl. It seems as though each time I find one I think would work, I see one you all or folks elsewhere saying not to get it. 

You'll need a walking foot machine for this job. It could be a portable walking foot machine made by Sailrite. Or, it could be an industrial machine head mounted on a 20x48 inch table with a clutch or servo motor under the table. 

[friquant]

Pfaff 545 is a flatbed with triple feed (aka walking foot) that I see come up on marketplace for $600 - $800. That's what I bought as my first machine. It's biggest fault for me was the stitch length only went up to 4mm.

[VinnyK]

there are many options out there. sadly many people who sell industrial sewing machines automaticly label it as a machine for heavy materials and leather. and many just arent. they are high speed machines for clothing or household needs. you would like to have a walking foot machine it holds all the layers nicely together as you sew and keep your stitches exactly the same even when you go thru multiple layers of fabric foam and vinyl. like the pfaff 545 or the singer 111w series machines. the k6 models would also do but they are pretty vintage. what ever machine you find google it and see what the options are on it. servo motors are really handy for beginners. reverse is very handy especially in car upholstery work. there are many good models out there. some are better known as others. it al depends on whats for sale locally. also see whats available online in parts. doing car upholstery work or boats and such. zipper feet and welting feet are handy if you wanna add zippers or piping. when testing out a machine especially with clutch motor check how slow you can make it go. wich is handy for corners and going round edges. the slower it goes the more control you have and the better your results wil be

[ryano]

Consew 226r has reverse

Juki LU-562 with reverse

Juki LU-563 with reverse(Same as the LU-562, but with a larger capacity bobbin)

Singer 144w205 has reverse

My pick would be the Juki LU-563 because of bobbin size, plus a great machine.

The 144w205 will sew .750" of material and has an even larger bobbin than the Juki LU-563, plus a 20" throat. This would be the ultimate machine of the bunch.

I absolutely have only needed reverse for nylon horse halters, I do not back stitch with a leather needle because it cuts the thread.

You should be able to find a, ready to sew, Singer 111w155 for half your budget, but has no reverse. 

Edited Monday at 04:24 AM by ryano