Trying to figure out the basics

[spectre6000]

1 minute ago, MADMAX22 said:

This is an example of what most here are looking for from you. Same with your car analogy. Either case you would put forth what the requirements are (thickness range, material, price range......) and by doing so the guys/gals can start narrowing the huge envelope of things available. 

Read all of what you highlighted, and the next sentence. Focus on what I'm calling attention to about those sentences in the parentheses. I'm not interested in a particular machine, I'm interested in the differences between them and why they matter. Take one step back from the vantage point of "what are you wanting to sew?", and ask why that question matters and why you answer it the way you do. What do you know that allows you to answer the question that I don't know and is causing me to have to ask it? I want to see the forest, the trees don't matter. 

If I said "wallets", "belts", or "saddles" your answer would be "X", maybe "X" again, and "Y". In this case, the "X" and "Y" are incidental. Does not matter at all. I don't care if it's a Cowboy 4500, a Sailright Ultrafeed, or a Cuisinart. I want to know what it is that makes them viable answers to that question so that I can make my own informed decision.

Really though, I'm obviously doing a terrible job trying to get the question across, because everyone is getting stuck on that. 

[Singermania]

Your question is CLEAR and everyone and their dog understands it, its time to stop playing with words, open your mind and listen to the answers.

Post after post has explained the difference between machines, why they are there and whats in them for you.   It can't be put any simpler.

If you continue on this path you are just going to be the guy at the Christmas party that nobody wants to sit next to. 

[MADMAX22]

26 minutes ago, spectre6000 said:

Read all of what you highlighted, and the next sentence. Focus on what I'm calling attention to about those sentences in the parentheses. I'm not interested in a particular machine, I'm interested in the differences between them and why they matter. Take one step back from the vantage point of "what are you wanting to sew?", and ask why that question matters and why you answer it the way you do. What do you know that allows you to answer the question that I don't know and is causing me to have to ask it? I want to see the forest, the trees don't matter. 

If I said "wallets", "belts", or "saddles" your answer would be "X", maybe "X" again, and "Y". In this case, the "X" and "Y" are incidental. Does not matter at all. I don't care if it's a Cowboy 4500, a Sailright Ultrafeed, or a Cuisinart. I want to know what it is that makes them viable answers to that question so that I can make my own informed decision.

Really though, I'm obviously doing a terrible job trying to get the question across, because everyone is getting stuck on that. 

I got ya, I have to work with nerdy hard headed engineers at work all the time. I was just pointing out that when you use to help someone make a decision about what they wanted, you asked what it was they liked to listen too. This gave you a path to narrow down the results and provide them suggestions based on what they theoretically wanted to do using your knowledge gained from actual experience/study/teaching. I know that you dont necessarily want to be showed what machine or machine options to buy, you want to be taught/explained all aspects sewing machines so you can turn around and buy based on what the resulting information has given you however as pointed out that could/would be pages and pages of information and some life experience thrown in to boot. 

 

[dikman]

7 minutes ago, spectre6000 said:

Really though, I'm obviously doing a terrible job trying to get the question across, because everyone is getting stuck on that. 

Yep, because the reason everyone asks "what are you wanting to sew" is because it's the logical starting pointing in deciding on a suitable machine. The reason it matters is because that will determine what is needed. Steve (above) has already suggested several possibilities, but none of those machines will be suitable for every contingency. If, as you said earlier, your intention is to have a machine handy just in case you might need it later, without knowing what that need might be, then really you will need more than one machine.

Every analogy you have used (including the hammer) always comes down to the lowest common denominator - what is it going to be used for? Once you know that then you start looking at what's needed to achieve that. Much of that information is already here, and Wiz's excellent sticky sums up most of it.

If, however, you don't want to start from the "what do you want to sew" premise then basically, read, read and read some more in order to try and understand how different sewing machines are designed for different jobs. There is no other alternative due to the complexity of the subject. That is how most of us, who weren't raised in the industry, learned.

Even Madmax, who obviously understands where you're coming from, hasn't been able to give you what you want.

 

[mixmkr]

Ha... suggestions from the Cowboy to the Ultrafeed.  Don't forget this...  it's pink too!   Good grief  ;-D   Ha...go ahead and laugh.  I used it today.  Made a silk purse out of a sow's ear!   Seriously ...hemmed my work shorts.  I'm ready for springtime!

 

Edited December 20, 2016 by mixmkr

[dikman]

Ah, but it's a Limited Edition, so must be worth having . (You wear silk shorts?).

So, today being an almost perfect day for it, I got out the Bonneville and went for a ride through the Hills to the cherry farm, to get some Christmas cherries. While enjoying the scenery, and the obligatory disgustingly nice cherry slice and cream (I look forward to it every year) and coffee, I pondered this thread, trying to figure out what I am obviously missing (besides the obligatory brain cells).

So, how does this sound - the OP would like a list of various machines, with their specifications and characteristics that make them suitable for sewing the type of material they are designed for, so that he can enter the data into a spreadsheet/database and then analyse it to determine which machine he should buy (even though, at the moment, he has absolutely no idea what said machine will be used for). He did say that what they can sew is not a factor in making a decision.

Yes/no?

Edited December 20, 2016 by dikman

[Singermania]

Good luck, you're a patient man.

[Darren Brosowski]

As a dealer in Australia my decision, based on your requirements, is pretty simple - "the door is over there"

If you ask my opinion and I make a suggestion I am legally liable if it does not do the job and you are asking for something that does not exist.

Get off your high horse and define what you really want from a machine then come back and ask.

 

[dikman]

1 hour ago, Singermania said:

Good luck, you're a patient man.

Sometimes....

I'm just trying to figure out what he's actually asking, in simple terms ('cos I'm a simple person). So far I obviously don't know.

[RockyAussie]

4 hours ago, dikman said:

So, how does this sound - the OP would like a list of various machines, with their specifications and characteristics that make them suitable for sewing the type of material they are designed for, so that he can enter the data into a spreadsheet/database and then analyse it to determine which machine he should buy (even though, at the moment, he has absolutely no idea what said machine will be used for). He did say that what they can sew is not a factor in making a decision.

Yes/no?

I reckon yes And isn't the Adelaide hills and a Bonnie one of the best in the world feelings. Was better back when they had a few more bends though.