Flat bed nightmares

[UKRay]

You know how some problems are so far removed from your sphere of knowledge that you don't even know what questions to ask to try to find a solution? I feel like that about flat bed sewing machines.

I don't do much that would require a flatbed machine - just the odd bag & briefcase and some costume work that I can't do easily on my extra-heavy-duty cylinder arm Highlead. I don't mind paying a good price for a machine, but I'm very concerned that I don't spend a fortune and get something that won't do the job.

I had some helpful advice a good while back (thanks Art, Steve Brambley and others!) that led me to chase after a Highlead post bed machine. I hit lucky fairly quickly and tracked one down in Ireland. Despite several eMails and a couple of phone calls, 4 months later I still haven't managed to do a deal with the guy. In fact, I'm still waiting for some photographs of the machine... Time to move on methinks. I'm also led to believe that the machine in question was a bit lightweight for my purposes and wouldn't handle the thread size I require.

I need to use up to a 20s thread - now this is a UK reference number and I'm not sure how that relates to US/Worldwide thread sizes - it would be very helpful to see some kind of comparison chart if anyone has one handy.

Good condition Highlead machines (I really like Highlead stuff) don't come up on eBay very often so I plan to widen my net to include other machines but I'd appreciate some advice on makes and models that are common this side of the pond. Is it worth going for a brand new 'clone' machine such as those sold by Wimsew and Alansew or would I be best to stick with a used machine from a well known maker?

Any and all advice welcome here. My budget is UK£600 to UK£800 maybe a little more at a push... The cost of shipping means I can't look outside the UK.

Hope someone can help,

Ray

[bruce johnson]

Ray,

A guy has to look pretty hard to find anything bad said about the Pfaff 1245. I have had great service and even better advice from Ferdco, and these forums weren't really around when I started. I have Ferdco's clone of the 1245, and some things are a bit different (no integral bobbin winder), but the machine I have has been a peach. I have had going on 3 years. I have run from #69 up to #207 through it top and in the bobbin. It will probably skip a stitch sometime, but hasn't yet. The Pfaff 1245s seem to be around, and I'd start there to try to find one regionally.

[barra]

On ticket numbers:

US TkT/Metric Ticket

33/100

60/46

69/40

92/30

138/20

207/13

277/10

346/8

415/7

554/5

693/4

Thanks Art

Barra.

[SteveBrambley]

You know how some problems are so far removed from your sphere of knowledge that you don't even know what questions to ask to try to find a solution? I feel like that about flat bed sewing machines.

I don't do much that would require a flatbed machine - just the odd bag & briefcase and some costume work that I can't do easily on my extra-heavy-duty cylinder arm Highlead. I don't mind paying a good price for a machine, but I'm very concerned that I don't spend a fortune and get something that won't do the job.

I had some helpful advice a good while back (thanks Art, Steve Brambley and others!) that led me to chase after a Highlead post bed machine. I hit lucky fairly quickly and tracked one down in Ireland. Despite several eMails and a couple of phone calls, 4 months later I still haven't managed to do a deal with the guy. In fact, I'm still waiting for some photographs of the machine... Time to move on methinks. I'm also led to believe that the machine in question was a bit lightweight for my purposes and wouldn't handle the thread size I require.

I need to use up to a 20s thread - now this is a UK reference number and I'm not sure how that relates to US/Worldwide thread sizes - it would be very helpful to see some kind of comparison chart if anyone has one handy.

Good condition Highlead machines (I really like Highlead stuff) don't come up on eBay very often so I plan to widen my net to include other machines but I'd appreciate some advice on makes and models that are common this side of the pond. Is it worth going for a brand new 'clone' machine such as those sold by Wimsew and Alansew or would I be best to stick with a used machine from a well known maker?

Any and all advice welcome here. My budget is UK£600 to UK£800 maybe a little more at a push... The cost of shipping means I can't look outside the UK.

Hope someone can help,

Ray

Hi Ray,

There are many medium to heavy weight flat bed machines that would be fine for your class of work, some you can pick up fairly cheaply. For many years I have used several sub classes of the old Singer 211G (211G166, 211G266, 211G256 etc.), which is a very reliable medium weight machine that can be picked up very cheaply and parts are plentiful. There is also the later, Japanese made, Singer 211U series that are also pretty good, though not quite as well finished as the earlier, German made, 211G.

Steve

[UKRay]

Ray,

A guy has to look pretty hard to find anything bad said about the Pfaff 1245.

Great advice, Bruce. Many thanks. I have been looking around but it would seem that Pfaff are pretty thin on the ground round here. One company imports and sells a good looking Chinese made 1245 clone that is within budget and I am seriously considering that - especially as they are less than an an hour away from me. I just wish I understood a bit more about the whole clone marketplace. Art posted some good info about the various makes a while back but it vanished into LW history somewhere and I've never been able to find it again...

On ticket numbers:

US TkT/Metric Ticket

33/100

60/46

69/40

92/30

138/20

207/13

277/10

346/8

415/7

554/5

693/4

Thanks Art

Barra.

Just what I needed, Barra - you are most kind!

Hi Ray,

There are many medium to heavy weight flat bed machines that would be fine for your class of work, some you can pick up fairly cheaply. For many years I have used several sub classes of the old Singer 211G (211G166, 211G266, 211G256 etc.), which is a very reliable medium weight machine that can be picked up very cheaply and parts are plentiful. There is also the later, Japanese made, Singer 211U series that are also pretty good, though not quite as well finished as the earlier, German made, 211G.

Steve

Steve, thanks so much for your input. Given my level of technical ability... (say no more) I'm probably looking for a newer machine rather than an older one. I looked long and hard at Singer 211s but came to the conclusion that I wouldn't know a good 'un if I tripped over it and if anything went wrong it was completely beyond me to fix it. Hence the desire for something a bit more modern with some kind of a service contract. I'm most grateful for your suggestion but is there anything else that might work? Have you any experience of the clone machines? Which ones are best?

I guess the bottom line is that I'm still looking guys...

Ray

[SteveBrambley]

Hi Ray,

I'm afraid that the only 'clone' machine with which I have had any experience is the Seiko STW-8B, which is more a clone of the older Singer 111 class, than the 211 class. However, they are very reliable, but, like the Singers, are generally only found as used machines.

You might like to consider the 'Typical' GC20626-1CX, which is designed to take thick threads and, if our 'Typical' 441 clone is anything to go by, should be a good reliable choice, also, I should think, a lot cheaper than a Highlead.

Steve

[$$hobby]

im not sure if im missing something here, but can you just fabricate a flat table for your existing cylinder arm?

i made/making one for mine. its not purty, but it works. its bulky tho. the area where the cylinder arm is has a gap where the table joins it.

just a thought.

[UKRay]

im not sure if im missing something here, but can you just fabricate a flat table for your existing cylinder arm?

i made/making one for mine. its not purty, but it works. its bulky tho. the area where the cylinder arm is has a gap where the table joins it.

just a thought.

That sounds like a great idea for stitching heavy leather - in fact I have a 'bolt-on' table just like that for my ancient Singer 29k15 - but I'm looking to stitch much thinner stuff including garment and upholstery leather that doesn't run too well through my big Highlead. I need to make a really neat job and a purpose made machine will simply work better for me.

It sounds like I may need to be looking for a Highlead GC0618-1SC; which I'm reliably informed is pretty much the same as the 618 & 18 machines available from Artisan and Cobra. Anyone got any more information on those machines? Anyone got one?

Ray

[Cobra Steve]

That sounds like a great idea for stitching heavy leather - in fact I have a 'bolt-on' table just like that for my ancient Singer 29k15 - but I'm looking to stitch much thinner stuff including garment and upholstery leather that doesn't run too well through my big Highlead. I need to make a really neat job and a purpose made machine will simply work better for me.

It sounds like I may need to be looking for a Highlead GC0618-1SC; which I'm reliably informed is pretty much the same as the 618 & 18 machines available from Artisan and Cobra. Anyone got any more information on those machines? Anyone got one?

Ray

Ray, the 618 or the 18 is basically the same as a Consew 206RB (the basket is slightly different), or the old Nakajima 280 L, now owned by Juki and a few others. The same "M" style side load bobbin, 111W presser feet, and is a needle feed walking foot machine. They are capable of sewing 207(13) thread on top, and 138(20) in the bobbin. Steve

[UKRay]

Thanks, Steve.

I'm currently awaiting a call from a Highlead dealer in Liverpool (3 days now) with a price that includes a servo motor and a 'slow-um-down' wheel...

I can't tell you guys in the US how durn lucky you are to have sewing machine dealers who actually do what they say they are going to do. The sewing machine industry over here, IMHO, is shot to blazes and getting worse. The bigger the company the worse the service. Madness.

How do they afford to stay in business?

Ray

[Regis]

Thanks, Steve.

.................................................................................... and a 'slow-um-down' wheel.....................................

..................................................................................................................................

Ray

Slow-um-down wheel.........I love it! what a great name.

Regis

[Luke Hatley]

Slow-um-down wheel.........I love it! what a great name.

Regis

I beleive that "slow um down wheel" is what he found out that will give him more hours in a day...........

Edited September 10, 2009 by Luke Hatley

[SteveBrambley]

Thanks, Steve.

I'm currently awaiting a call from a Highlead dealer in Liverpool (3 days now) with a price that includes a servo motor and a 'slow-um-down' wheel...

I can't tell you guys in the US how durn lucky you are to have sewing machine dealers who actually do what they say they are going to do. The sewing machine industry over here, IMHO, is shot to blazes and getting worse. The bigger the company the worse the service. Madness.

How do they afford to stay in business?

Ray

I couldn't agree more!!

Steve