Best machine for non leather application

[gottaknow]

On a drop feed machine, only the feed dogs advance the fabric. The needle moves straight up and down. With a needle feed, the needle bar and feed dogs move together to advance the material. Much more positive feed and helps prevent ply shift with stickier materials (vinyl). It also helps when crossing seams.

On my 211G157's, I set the presser foot lift for 1/2". They'll go higher, but I've never needed them to.

Regards, Eric

[stickandtin]

Eric, thanks so much for all the help. The 211G157 sounds like the machine we need. Now, where to find one? 

[stickandtin]

After a week of searching the net, can't find a single 211G157 for sale. Anybody have any recommendations where to look? Also wanted to be a little more specific on what I'm initially wanting this machine for. I restore vintage travel trailers, mainly silver streaks, airstreams, streamlines and avions. Most of the curtains in these trailers are higher quality thicker drapery material with a thermal lining. More often than not the curtains need replacing. Most of these curtains are pinch pleated. In other types of trailers I restore(canned ham style), the curtains are made of thinner material with a backing material. Thus my question about a machine to handle light to medium weight fabrics. I have been farming the work out but since my wife started doing upholstery work, I figured why not sew the curtains. Back to my original question, is a needle feed/drop feed like the 211G157 the best machine for this application or should I be looking for a different kind of machine. I would like to find a good used one and not have to spend $2-3,000 on a new one. Wife says whatever we get, it has to have reverse LOL. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[gottaknow]

A drop feed and needle feed are two different machines. I would look for a needle feed, forget about using a drop feed. I have always freelanced machine repair even though I do it full time. I've serviced a lot of drapery shops over the years including a woman who specialized in high dollar insulated drapes. If I recall, she used a Brother 700 something series needle feed. Very smooth machine, handled everything she through at it, and it had reverse. It was a garment machine with an oil sump, much like the Singer 281-22 which doesn't have reverse. They were made in Japan and like most machines coming out of Japan in the 80's and 90's, they all had reverse. There are a lot of models of older Brothers that were needle feed. Parts are still available, and because you don't really need a walking foot, the price will be reasonable. Do some googling and you'll see a lot of that era Brothers for sale.

Regards, Eric

[stickandtin]

Ok, so a straight needle feed with reverse(for the wife) is what I should be looking for. Thanks again Eric!!

[mikesc]

 

Quote

Ok, so a straight needle feed with reverse(for the wife) is what I should be looking for

Is she aware of the impending exchange..traditionally it is camels..

[leecopp]

Only somewhat on topic - Needle feed machines..

 

I have 3 needle feed machines and they are among my favorite hobbyist machines

1.  Singer 21w180  -  a compound feed which is an ancestor of the 111W151 (uses same bobbins and feet)

Someone rode her hard for a while .. but she is still sewing well.   https://sites.google.com/site/oldironmachines/home/singer-21w180  .  Retains Wheeler and Wilson tension components. Pretty sounding gear train. Running on a 1890s W&W Domestic Treadle.

2. Singer 78-1 - Needle feed only. Sews medium to heavy cloth.  Bobbin and Shuttle very similar/same to 31-15. Weird, hard to find feet.  Runs well under foot power.

picture from the web, mine looks better ..grin .. Runs up to V92 without issues.  Replaces my 31-15 except for top stitching feet and roller foot.

 ---   

 

3. I am also the foster parent of a Davis Mfg A, vertical feed (needle feed) Machine,  Sews pretty nicely, but has a weird long bobbin vibrating shuttle and can only handle up to V69 thread. Seems to be a very rare machine.

https://sites.google.com/site/oldironmachines/home/davis-manufacturing-a   Only comes out on holidays.

 

Lee in Florida

[stickandtin]

Lee, thank you for the reply and the pics. Since we bought our first machine from Bob at Toledo Industrial, I called to see if they had any used needle feeds with reverse. Talked with Bobby and he said they had several but none with reverse. He then told me Cowboy makes a needle feed, the Cowboy 538. Anybody on here have any experience with this machine?

[gottaknow]

No experience with any of the CowBoy machines, but the advantage of new is the support. On used machines, you're on your own with just the support of a bunch of guys on an online forum.  It looks to be a fine machine and certainly bound to have a better price point than a new Juki. I can tell you the reason a lot of older machines don't have a backtack feature is simply because in the factories, a backtack was simple to accomplish by reaching the end of a seam, lifting the foot slightly and pulling the material back enough to overlap 3 or 4 stitches. The operators were very accomplished at this, often faster than a manual backtack lever because their hands never left the material. Singer waited a long time to add backtacks to a lot of their machines. The machines made in Japan included it as standard much earlier. Juki, Consew, Brother, Mitsubishi etc.

Regards, Eric

[stickandtin]

Eric, you make a valid point about dealer support when buying a new machine. Bob at Toledo industrial has been great to work with after buying our Juki from him. We have pretty much decided to buy the cowboy 538. Thanks to everyone who took the time to post help, opinions, photos and advice.