yamata fs288 portable walking foot machine

[esantoro]

I finally got my portable zig zag walking foot machine, which I'll be using for denim, suede and lighter leather and 138 thread and lighter (curious to see what this machine will do with 207 thread). I went with the less expensive yamata $300 shipped rather than the Sailrite. With the money I saved, I bought sailrite's awesome case for about $100. Now that I have this machine I'm very curious to know what the Sailrite looks like inside. I'll post pics soon of my yamata. If anyone has a sailrite ultrafeed, could you post some pics of the inner and under workings?

I was wondering if there is something people put down underneath the machine and inside the portable case to absorb machine oil. For right now, I have put down kraft paper.

ed

[esantoro]

Not sure yet what to think about this machine. I still have to get properly sized leather point needles to work with the 138 poly thread I've put in the machine, but I'm not impressed just playing around with it with a 130 fabric needle installed. I expected the machine to be more powerful, but maybe I need the Monster II power wheel for that power. Would a better foot pedal help at all? I think what came stock is a carbon something or other pedal.

ed

[Regis]

Without the Monster wheel, my Consew was very weak. Now does just fine. Just today sewed 2 X 5/6 with 1 X 3/4 oz in middle and it walked right through with 138 & 20 DIA needle. That is about the max I use it for.....then up to the 3000.

Edited January 19, 2008 by Regis

[esantoro]

Without the Monster wheel, my Consew was very weak. Now does just fine. Just today sewed 2 X 5/6 with 1 X 3/4 oz in middle and it walked right through with 138 & 20 DIA needle. That is about the max I use it for.....then up to the 3000.

I've ordered the Monster Wheel from Ultimate Sew and Vac in New Jersey. Their ability to actually get certain items seems spotty, so I may have to end up buying elsewhere, as I did with the case.

After reading up more on the sailrite, I really get the feeling that these machines are all very , very similar when they have the accessories added. The sailrite has the patented posi pin clutch assembly, which is a moot point if you upgrade to the Monster II wheel, which uses allen set screws. The case is wonderful, like an electric guitar case for my machine. The race, hook, and bobbin case on this yamata seem to be very good quality.

138 thread and two layers of 5/6 does seem to be the limit. I still need to get diamond point needles.

Does anyone know what kind of a foot pedal would be good for an upgrade?

Ed

[esantoro]

I think I got my wish for a machine to learn how to rebuild. Sailrite has some pretty informative DVDs and instruction manuals for rebuilding their entire machine, which in many ways seems to be a mini version of the heavy stitchers.

ed

[Art]

Hi Ed,

According to another importer I know, Sailrite pretty much buys the castings and builds those machines themselves. They're not a 111 and don't pretend to be, Sailrite actually sells the Tachony 111 (I think it is called Tacksew) which is very Singer like (don't know if all the parts interchange). The Little portables are meant to ride in a truck or on an ocean going yacht and are probably the best things for that function. They're as portable a light leather machine as you are going to find.

Art

I think I got my wish for a machine to learn how to rebuild. Sailrite has some pretty informative DVDs and instruction manuals for rebuilding their entire machine, which in many ways seems to be a mini version of the heavy stitchers.

ed

[esantoro]

Hi Ed,

According to another importer I know, Sailrite pretty much buys the castings and builds those machines themselves. They're not a 111 and don't pretend to be, Sailrite actually sells the Tachony 111 (I think it is called Tacksew) which is very Singer like (don't know if all the parts interchange). The Little portables are meant to ride in a truck or on an ocean going yacht and are probably the best things for that function. They're as portable a light leather machine as you are going to find.

Art

Hi Art,

For my setup it's nice to have this small portable for stitching/prepping the suede pockets for my bags without having to recalibrate from 277 or 346 thread in my big stitcher down to 138 thread simply to roll the edge of the suede pockets. I can pull the portable out and put it just about anywhere, and then shove it back.

Sailrite may not pretend for the Ultrafeed to be a 111, but they nearly charge the same, at least for the ultrafeed LZ1.

Ed

[esantoro]

Hi Regis,

I can't imagine being able to stitch thicker than that. Is it possible on these machines to raise the height of the inner and outer presser feet?

Ed

Without the Monster wheel, my Consew was very weak. Now does just fine. Just today sewed 2 X 5/6 with 1 X 3/4 oz in middle and it walked right through with 138 & 20 DIA needle. That is about the max I use it for.....then up to the 3000.

[Regis]

Ed,

Doesn't look like you can get any more height without taking some parts to a machine shop. I have the 3000 for larger and would want to use much heavier thread if I was going thicker than what would easily fit my portable. I got it for the lighter weight work and so I could take to my daughter's occasionally. Does that just great (with Monster wheel) and I'm happy. Biggest problem I have is seeing exactly where the needle goes into the leather because of the inner foot.

Regis

[esantoro]

Ed,

Doesn't look like you can get any more height without taking some parts to a machine shop. I have the 3000 for larger and would want to use much heavier thread if I was going thicker than what would easily fit my portable. I got it for the lighter weight work and so I could take to my daughter's occasionally. Does that just great (with Monster wheel) and I'm happy. Biggest problem I have is seeing exactly where the needle goes into the leather because of the inner foot.

Regis

Regis,

I'll let you know what I turn up in the way of additional presser feet.

ed