Has Anyone Built Their Own Industrial Sewing Tables? --Can You Critique My Idea?

[TinkerTailor]

I have been offered 2 free tables in the last year or two. A rusty h-leg with a clutch motor and a nice k-leg one that fell of a truck ....Literally. Whole table is askew, probably fixable though. Don't have room for either. They are out there. Go to closing out upholstery/garment shops, they may have old table legs kicking around for free.

Pretty tragic actually cause the machine that was on it was a relatively new juki post bed machine, a 1610 I think. Apparently the machine did a faceplant.. Huge crack in the head and a chunk of the casting broke out where the needle bar and foot mechanisms attached......ouch. I think it was only being moved a few blocks...

[Sepp]

Hi Uwe,

can you tell how similar your Consew to the Durkopp 239 (238) is? I got one, and would like to build a new table for it, and was wondering where those rubber hinge pieces and rubber corner pieces could be found (preferably in Europe), and if the ones you have work for my machine too?

Also: I am envisioning a table without the crosstubular structure to attach the treadle to...instead I was looking for a solution with a bass drum pedal. Do you guys think that would work?

Thanks,

Joe

I've been meaning to post pictures of my latest sewing table project to contribute to this nice collection of table ideas. I finally got around to making a CNC template for carving out a tabletop for my Consew 225. The legs came from a local University surplus store for $20 (same legs as a previous poster, haha). The wood is marine plywood and ran $45 for this project. The ShopBot CNC router machine is at my local TechShop playground for adults. The two plywood plates are glued, then screwed together, for a total thickness of 1.4 inches - just the right amount of overkill.

uwe-sew-table-1.jpguwe-sew-table-2.jpguwe-sew-table-3.jpguwe-sew-table-4.jpguwe-sew-table-5.jpguwe-sew-table-6.jpguwe-sew-table-7.jpguwe-sew-table-8.jpguwe-sew-table-9.jpg

[Uwe]

The flatbed bed size of the Durkopp 239 looks to be a standard industrial bed size and should be the same as the Consew 225.

The hinges can be found online at College Sewing in the UK : https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/229-58052-RUBBER-HINGE-ASSEMBLY-JUKI-DDL

There are slight variations in the rubber part of the euro-style hinges. It's perhaps best to get the hinges first and then make your cutout fit them.

The hole locations where the metal hinge part plug into in the back of the machines bed should also be standard. For my table I plugged the hinges with rubber part into the back of the machine and took precise measurements to get the hinge pocket locations and depth just right in the cutout. Don't expect to get it right the first time. I recommend using cheap plywood for testing before you cut precious wood. Once it fits one machine, it should fit all the others with the same bed size.

In order to separate the pedal from the table, you'll need to get a servo motor that has discrete parts (Motor/Controller/Speed-Input) . This way you can extend wires to make a flexible electric connection between the pedal speed input and the motor controller, instead of the usual rigid mechanical link, similar to this:

[TinkerTailor]

The flatbed bed size of the Durkopp 239 looks to be a standard industrial bed size and should be the same as the Consew 225.

The hinges can be found online at College Sewing in the UK : https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/229-58052-RUBBER-HINGE-ASSEMBLY-JUKI-DDL

There are slight variations in the rubber part of the euro-style hinges. It's perhaps best to get the hinges first and then make your cutout fit them.

The hole locations where the metal hinge part plug into in the back of the machines bed should also be standard. For my table I plugged the hinges with rubber part into the back of the machine and took precise measurements to get the hinge pocket locations and depth just right in the cutout. Don't expect to get it right the first time. I recommend using cheap plywood for testing before you cut precious wood. Once it fits one machine, it should fit all the others with the same bed size.

In order to separate the pedal from the table, you'll need to get a servo motor that has discrete parts (Motor/Controller/Speed-Input) . This way you can extend wires to make a flexible electric connection between the pedal speed input and the motor controller, instead of the usual rigid mechanical link, similar to this:

IMG_3953.jpg

An industrious person could make a mechanical connection from the motor to the foot using bicycle brake cabling and a bass drum pedal.....heel brake and/or lift functionality is possible but more complex.

Edited February 5, 2016 by TinkerTailor

[Constabulary]

The Duerkopps (239, 241, 245) I have seen have a longer flat bed than the Singer 111 / Consew 225 clones. The Duerkopps were all ready to install a 2nd hook saddle for a double needle setup. The flat beds of the Duerkopps are more like the Singer 112 or similar. You can tell that by comparing the left cover plate - the Duerkopps factory wise have a longer left cover plates.

BTW the Duerkopp 239 + 241 (triple feed) are using the same feet as the Singer 111 / Consew 225 clones. The machines have many similarities and even parts are interchangeable.

Edited February 5, 2016 by Constabulary

[Sepp]

An industrious person could make a mechanical connection from the motor to the foot using bicycle brake cabling and a bass drum pedal.....heel brake and/or lift functionality is possible but more complex.

In order to separate the pedal from the table, you'll need to get a servo motor that has discrete parts (Motor/Controller/Speed-Input) . This way you can extend wires to make a flexible electric connection between the pedal speed input and the motor controller, instead of the usual rigid mechanical link, similar to this:

IMG_3953.jpg

So you don't think I could attach the standard mechanical connection to the pedal? (by standard I mean those adjustable steel rods)

Steel wires sounds greattoo, but the pedal would need to be held in place somehow even more secure I guess.

[TinkerTailor]

So you don't think I could attach the standard mechanical connection to the pedal? (by standard I mean those adjustable steel rods)

Steel wires sounds greattoo, but the pedal would need to be held in place somehow even more secure I guess.

I think both of us were envisioning a repositionable pedal, not a fixed position one. If it is fixed, yes the rods will work. If the pedal is moved for different sewing positions, or the table height is adjustable, the pedal needs a flexible link. Some motors have a drive by wire electrical connection to the pedal, others use rods. The rod ones can be converted to flexible with some ingenuity and possibly some cursing.

[Bracattack]

New to the site, just started a table project today. I have a stash of 3/4" thick table tops, so I glued a pair together. I searched the net for a router template for a pfaff 1245 but no luck so I laid out a rectangle and then used an angle finder to mark the corner cuts. (for the full cut thru) I guess after that is cut I can set it in place and draw the corners.

[Uwe]

Page 20 of the Pfaff 1245 manual has a dimensioned CAD drawing for the table cutouts, which is a reasonable starting point as well (alas, they tell you every dimension EXCEPT the actual main cutout size!)

ba_1245_05-12_e.pdf

Edited August 26, 2016 by Uwe

[Bracattack]

Thanks, I looked there but stopped at page 19 which was a drawing but not very helpful. Patience is ........ I'll work on that

[Michael Sheldon]

Built mine with steel rails availble from my local woodworking shop. They can be purchased at various lenghts, etc. Built the top with various lumber in my woodshop and some 3/4 melamine.

Lots of junk on it, been "rearranging" the shop.

[Bracattack]

Making progress.

[thesergeant]

looks great!  mind if I ask why you're building the machine into the left side of the table instead of the right?

[mikesc]

I too was intrigued by the disposition.

[Bracattack]

Table will be quite a bit smaller, just haven't cut (or decided) on final size. 

[mikesc]

However by placing the machine cut-out towards the left-hand side and the belt cut-out in the middle of the table..you are committed to having very little space at the left hand side of the table..that may come back to bite you..One normally leaves the largest part of the table to the side of the machine away from the drive belt..so as to have the maximum flat support area for the work..except when it is a cylinder machine, when , even so the table area to the side of the drive belt is usually smaller than the area to the side of the needle and feed dogs area..

Edited August 27, 2016 by mikesc

[Firestar1485]

I used an solid core commercial door.  It weighs a ton but it's definately solid!

[TinkerTailor]

I think i like the idea of the machine mounted into a big table like this, where you can pound and sew anywhere and there is lots of room to lay things out. I would have placed the machine as far to the right as possible to maximize layout space, and  I would even mount my cylinder arm off the back corner to the right of the juki

If you put a couple sono-tubes(cylindrical cardboard concrete forms) lengthwise into the bottom they are great for storing rolled leather. I would look around for a plastic supply place and get a big sheet of hdpe (cutting board plastic) for the other end to cut on. Probably only need 1/4-3/8 inch thick because it is backed by such a solid table. AND since you are a welder, make a spot on the table for use as an anvil. A 12x12 piece of 1/2 inch plate would be perfect for most leather anvil use.

[leecopp]

Hey forestar1485. That is a formidable table

 

TinkerTailor, as usual, I like the way you think.

 

Happy day

Lee in florida

[Darren Brosowski]

One of my toys for a darning machine.

[TinkerTailor]

5 minutes ago, Darren Brosowski said:

One of my toys for a darning machine.

 

Its like an aerostitch, only its an aeroeverything. It sews with invisible thread and needles. The feet are as light as air. All some kinda super-secret wonder-woman jet plane technology stuff, made to darn her invisible parachute.....

Edited October 30, 2016 by TinkerTailor

[RockyAussie]

2 hours ago, Darren Brosowski said:

One of my toys for a darning machine.

That will fix the darn....ing machine missin stitches I reckon. They'll all now miss nice and evenly.

[Darren Brosowski]

At this point it is a cast sewing machine body on a pretty base.

The sharp eyed amongst you have noticed that all of the internals are sitting in the plastic container. It was a Consew 227r that has serious wear issues in some of the feed and walking foot components as well as a stuffed clutch mechanism.

I am converting it to a Seiko CW-1 darning machine where I am making a custom foot lift mechanism.

[TinkerTailor]

thats pretty cool.

[chase97]

I realize this thread is over a year old but I'm hoping someone from this thread (or anybody) will chime in with some advice.  

I've recently dug out my great grandmother's Singer 31-15 which includes the head and the old iron table but no top.  I picked up some really pretty gummy cherry wood that is about 1" thick.  I feel like this might just a bit too thin.   What do you guys think?  

If so, I'm thinking of gluing it up and then gluing it to a 3/4" piece of plywood.   (and then put finish edges on it to cover up the plywood)  I'm feeling like this is the best way to go but looking for opinions...  especially those of experienced woodworkers!  

Thanks