Trying to figure out the basics

[mixmkr]

:-D  ....can anyone help me get my bobber off the electrical wires overhead??

[Singermania]

Don't go Wiz, I was hoping you might define or elaborate on "aggressive teeth".... does this mean these teeth leap out of the machine and attack you, or perhaps it means they just have a mean disposition but don't actually bite? 

 

Edited December 19, 2016 by Singermania

[mixmkr]

I will offer one bit of advice.  I started out knowing basically nothing...and still have lots to learn.  Rather than analyze things to death, just start.  Buy a machine.  If it doesn't suit your needs, sell it and get another.  I got lucky and bought out a marine canvas shop, which is the type of sewing I do, which allowed me to obtain the tools and machines I needed, without really having to spend much time learning about WHAT to get.  The previous owner had already done that.  Look at what other people are doing and see what tools they use.  To "analyze" HOW to buy a machine is really not the right approach.  You just gotta jump in and if you're totally clueless, ask like has been suggested.  I'm very new here, but totally impressed with the knowledge base and I don't think you're going to get steering down the wrong path.  One man's perfect machine is going to be another's "hassle"...even if they're doing the same thing. 
BTW, I've played guitar now for 50 years.   Same thing...   If you want to learn how to play guitar, just buy one and jump in both feet.  Maybe ask some initial questions, but just do it.  (Then you might keep that useless piece of plastic, because you need to make pillow cases.... who knows...  Maybe your kids will want to sew to and need to learn on something besides a clutch motor and a 75lb beast).

[Singermania]

Quote

 

For you guys in the US, Gov Liquidations have a new Seiko STH-8BLD-3 in their auction.  Its a  good flatbed with compound feed....

Edited December 19, 2016 by Singermania

[dikman]

Would be a nice machine. I nearly bought one but it meant going interstate, I still regret not going to get it as the price was very good!

I'm not a programmer, so I'm trying to figure out what the OP actually wants, as the usual (logical) question of "what do you want to sew" obviously doesn't apply here.

Is it a list of all machines, with pertinent data such as motor type, needle size, thread size, foot clearance, type of "action" (straight stitch, walking foot etc) and finally what they can sew? (I can't find a "puzzled" smiley).

[RockyAussie]

9 hours ago, spectre6000 said:

I'm trying to figure out how to figure out what sewing machine I should get

EASY- Figure out what it is you want to make and if you want to make it occasionally or in a business like way.Then ask here there and everywhere but especially people who do it already which they think is the most suitable for that job and WHY?. That done divide it all up and let us know the conclusion as many very good people here have tried to do for you.

PS. I can think of over a hundred different types of machines that do very different jobs and applications and to know and explain the intricacy's of each would take up a a lot of space and time for why?

[Constabulary]

If you are unsure what you need and the answers here are not what you expect then check with a sewing machine dealer. They for sure will tell you what type machine you need for your project(s) when you explain them what you want to sew. You probably can test sew some of their machines.

[spectre6000]

I make what I need when I need it, and I make it right the first time so I don't have to do it a second time. That's why I can't tell you what I'm making. There's nothing on the bench right now, and the leather related things that are going to be on the bench down the road are all over the map. If I lose my wallet, I'll make a wallet. I have an old 40s-vintage office chair that I intend to reupholster after I fabricate up a few parts. I make tools all the time, and leather is generally what I use to store them in. There is no thing I do when it comes to leather, it's purely a supporting role at this point, but I'm entertaining making it more of a focus in the near future.

To mixkmr's guitar analogy, I've been playing for 20 some odd years, I used to work in a music store selling and repairing guitars, I used to teach people to play guitar, I taught myself luthiery, and have taught classes on luthiery. When I was selling guitars, people would come in all the time to buy a guitar for their kid. I could have just handed them whatever cheapo, and they'd have been happy since they only spent whatever minimum, but I'd only see the kid for lessons maybe twice. Instead, I would ask what the kid listened to (this is where everyone's head is), and if they were into something like death metal, I'd sell them a starter electric instead. I knew that different types and styles of instruments were used to make different kinds of music (this is where my head is), and I used that information to explain why the parent would be more likely to have a guitar playing child in a year versus a gig bag in a closet.

In an analogy that should be more relatable to more people: say I want a car, and I'm trying to figure out how to shop for the best car for my current and possible future needs. There are a number of different things to consider, and some of them have a greater impact than others. Vans are best at carrying lots of people, and if you take out the seats they can carry a lot of stuff AND protect it from the elements and light fingers. Trucks are best at carrying lots of things, more than vans, but it's exposed and you're not going to be able to carry too many people. If all that matters is getting from point A to point B, then just about anything will do, but it's worth considering secondary characteristics like fuel economy or comfort. More cylinders typically get you more power, but often at the cost of fuel economy. V8s are about all you usually see, make great power (usually at low RPM), but aren't typically all that great at the pump. V10s exist, but they're pretty special cases and a little flawed. V12s are a bit more common and are great for a lot of reasons, but they're really expensive. Conversely, fewer cylinders CAN save you gas, but you make less power, less torque, and the engines are often pretty crude. Six cylinders are a common middle ground, but that can be inline or V. Inline sixes are naturally balanced, super smooth, and can get really good torque at low RPM OR power at high RPM, but not both without forced induction. V-6s aren't really good at anything save having more than four and fewer than eight cylinders, and are really just an exercise in packaging and marketing and not really worth the trouble unless it's just the only option. Seat heaters are nice to have if it gets very cold, but not at all necessary. AC is also just a nice to have, but may be so nice as to be considered necessary. Infotainment systems are in everything these days, but they tend to kind of suck and are more frustrating than not; don't buy a car for the infotainment system. Cupholders are a thing. Power seats, leather seats, vinyl seats, seat bolsters, air bags... Etc.

If someone could simply give a brief overview of sewing machines in the same manner, that's all I'm looking for. I'm sure pages could be written, but pick a topic (i.e. engines) and shoot. Maybe something good can happen...

If it becomes clear there's no help to be had here, I'll have to call a dealer who may or may not have what I actually need and may or may not simply try to sell me whatever they have on hand.

Edited December 19, 2016 by spectre6000

[Constabulary]

Seems you don´t understand. There is no such list existing as there are literally several thousand different sewing machines on the market. Used, new, some 100 years old. Dozens of brands are existing and dozens of other brand are long time gone but the machines are still out there and are in use but no one knows all machines.

But if you want to spend some time checking out Singer brand machines check the ISMACS Comprehensive Singer Sewing Machine Model List - that's probably the closest but thats just Singer - there are dozens of other manufacturers.

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/

Scroll down here - a list of approx. 60 manufacturers and I´m sure not all are listed.

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/home.html

So maybe you can put together a list when your list is done feel free to post it here.

I´d say when you have a certain project you want to do come back and ask what machine you need for the certain project.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Constabulary

[spectre6000]

Seems you don't understand.... Everything you just said applies equally to cars, yet I just typed out a paragraph off the top of my head to roughly the effect I'm trying to achieve here. I think someone said something about a list of models back there, but it certainly wasn't me. For instance, cylinder and flatbed are maybe two TYPES of machines just like vans and trucks are two TYPES of cars.