Help Choosing Sewing Machine

[garball]

Hi,

I'm new the the forum and I'm here with the hope to learn about sewing in general. I work in the marine industry and recently bought a used Juki DDL 8500 in great condition to learn on. My primary application is boat upholstery and canvas work with some leather here and there. The machine has a 3500 rpm clutch motor that I've adjusted and works fine. Here is my problem: Machine runs way too fast even with a new 2" pulley. Even when I slow it down by feathering the clutch, I find my vinyl slips around corners or over bumps/piping. When feeding, I can't get consistent stitch length because the motor is far too fast between speed transitions or when re-positioning materials (vinyl for example). Tried with regular fabrics and no problem there as long as you want to go fast. One idea is to replace the motor with a Reliable Quietsew 5000 high end servo motor with a smaller pulley but I still think vinyl fabrics will slip too easily.

I realize I probably should get a walking foot asap. I tried a Sailrite LS-1, Juki 1541 and a Sunstar KM-340BL and a Consew 206RB, all walking foot machines. The sailrite would probably work just fine for me (easy to control) but I found it ran like a tractor. I'm a bit of a gear head and would like to get a nicer industrial machine (and I got the bug). The Juki 1541 was a dream and even though I can afford it, I would like to try to stay within a $1000 budget roughly. The Sunstar is a Korean machine and seemed fine although I can't remember if it was a regular walking foot or compound. Sales rep tells me to stay away from the Consew as it's made in china now.

Here is a list of machines I researched that I thought would work in order of preference:

-Juki DDL 1541

-Juki DU 1181 (looks identical to mine except walking foot for around $1100)

-Consew 206RB (For around $1350 at Toledo Sewing)

-Chandler 406 RB (Looks identical to Consew above for $1100)

-Tacsew 111 (looks identical to Sailrite 111 which is a compound walking foot for arround a $800)

-Sailrite LS-1 (for around $700).

Is a compound foot waling machine that much better than a regular walking foot machine?

Any of these machines I would get with a different motor like the Reliable Quietsew 5000. The Tacsew seems to be a great price and since Sailrite uses them I was thinking it would be a good bet. Anyway, it's been 2 weeks and I just can't make up my mind. I have a couple projects ready to go but need to decide on a machine. Any help and input is greatly appreciated.

Gary.

[tnawrot2]

I just sent you a message, go the the page where you log in, and next to your name is a number, click on it to read the message.

[Techsew Ron]

Hi,

I'm new the the forum and I'm here with the hope to learn about sewing in general. I work in the marine industry and recently bought a used Juki DDL 8500 in great condition to learn on. My primary application is boat upholstery and canvas work with some leather here and there. The machine has a 3500 rpm clutch motor that I've adjusted and works fine. Here is my problem: Machine runs way too fast even with a new 2" pulley. Even when I slow it down by feathering the clutch, I find my vinyl slips around corners or over bumps/piping. When feeding, I can't get consistent stitch length because the motor is far too fast between speed transitions or when re-positioning materials (vinyl for example). Tried with regular fabrics and no problem there as long as you want to go fast. One idea is to replace the motor with a Reliable Quietsew 5000 high end servo motor with a smaller pulley but I still think vinyl fabrics will slip too easily.

I realize I probably should get a walking foot asap. I tried a Sailrite LS-1, Juki 1541 and a Sunstar KM-340BL and a Consew 206RB, all walking foot machines. The sailrite would probably work just fine for me (easy to control) but I found it ran like a tractor. I'm a bit of a gear head and would like to get a nicer industrial machine (and I got the bug). The Juki 1541 was a dream and even though I can afford it, I would like to try to stay within a $1000 budget roughly. The Sunstar is a Korean machine and seemed fine although I can't remember if it was a regular walking foot or compound. Sales rep tells me to stay away from the Consew as it's made in china now.

Here is a list of machines I researched that I thought would work in order of preference:

-Juki DDL 1541

-Juki DU 1181 (looks identical to mine except walking foot for around $1100)

-Consew 206RB (For around $1350 at Toledo Sewing)

-Chandler 406 RB (Looks identical to Consew above for $1100)

-Tacsew 111 (looks identical to Sailrite 111 which is a compound walking foot for arround a $800)

-Sailrite LS-1 (for around $700).

Is a compound foot waling machine that much better than a regular walking foot machine?

Any of these machines I would get with a different motor like the Reliable Quietsew 5000. The Tacsew seems to be a great price and since Sailrite uses them I was thinking it would be a good bet. Anyway, it's been 2 weeks and I just can't make up my mind. I have a couple projects ready to go but need to decide on a machine. Any help and input is greatly appreciated.

Gary.

Welcome to leatherworker.net, Gary!

First off, replacing your clutch motor with a servo motor will definitely help you decrease the stitching speed on your Juki 8500, however this is not a walking foot machine and you need one when you're doing boat upholstery and leather work. Otherwise, sewing multiple layers will result in slipping and uneven stitching.

All of the machines you mentioned on your list are compound feed aka walking foot machines. I would advise against going with something portable as you won't have the motor power, speed control or presser foot options that you will with a full-sized industrial sewing machine.

Your final decision should be based on machine quality, availability, price, warrant/tech support and shipping costs. Make sure to buy from a dealer that will offer you tech support should anything ever go wrong.

Good luck in your search!

Ron

[garball]

Thanks Ron,

I've written off the local retailer due to their high prices (for example, their sale price on a Juki 1541 with servo motor goes for $2100 vs $1525 online shipping included).

I'm not familiar with quality of the Tacsew, Chandler and Consew models but understand they're all Chineese made.

Gary

[garball]

Any takers? Looks like the Juki du 1181 isn't a compound walking foot so striking it off my list. I'm new to sewing, don't want to make a mistake here with such an expensive investment.

Gary

[tnawrot2]

I don't know how far this is from you, but this is a hell of a deal. This type of machine is almost bombproof.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rch/bfs/3336910683.html

[garball]

45 minutes. I did come across that one. Looks old, could be worn out, I could be taking a big risk. Rather put money into a new machine. I'm curious if the current crop of Consew 206rb are any good?

[CowboyBob]

If I was some 2000 miles closer I'd buy that Juki myself,your right tnawrot2 that is a great buy!I've seen alot worse looking ones than that.

Bob

[Techsew Ron]

I would go take a look at that Juki 563 if I were you, you'll avoid the import fees from the US. Take some sample materials and see how it sews. Consew 206rb or a clone are good options if you want a new machine.

Edited October 16, 2012 by Ronnie

[garball]

I would go take a look at that Juki 563 if I were you, you'll avoid the import fees from the US. Take some sample materials and see how it sews. Consew 206rb or a clone are good options if you want a new machine.

Did go and see it. Very dirty underbelly, did not run smoothly by hand. Passed on it. Anyway, I ended up buying a new Juki 1541s with a Reliable 5000 servo motor.

Edited October 28, 2012 by garball

[Techsew Ron]

Did go and see it. Very dirty underbelly, did not run smoothly by hand. Passed on it. Anyway, I ended up buying a new Juki 1541s with a Reliable 5000 servo motor.

Enjoy your new machine! Hope the advice you received here was helpful.

Ron

[garball]

To tell you the truth, I was really hoping to get more advice here and was a bit dissapointed. However I do appreciate your input but wish more than a couple people chimed in.

Gary.

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

There is a very long pinned thread by Wiz all about sewing machines for leather. Most of the machines you have asked about have been talked about ad-nauseum on this board so many of us consider that it is only fair that people do a little bit of research rather than just ask everyone to cover it again. There is a hell of a lot of good information here if you are prepared to spend some time looking for it.

To tell you the truth, I was really hoping to get more advice here and was a bit dissapointed. However I do appreciate your input but wish more than a couple people chimed in.

Gary.