Zig Zag Machine Advice

[lazyd]

We end up with all these scraps of Hair-on cowhide from our Upholstery Shop. We have seen table runners and rugs made from these scraps zig-zaged together. Sooooo, what would be a good (affordable) zig-zag machine to buy for this job. We would be sewing through no more than 2 layers of 5/6 oz. hair-on cowhide. Probably 69 or 92 thread...??? Any ideas or thoughts ???  Thanks---------Bill

[mikesc]

Singer 20U33, preferably the one with the thread holder stand that unfolds from the back of the machine, not the one that has the thread holder on the top of the machine with the thread reel horizontal and parallel to the machine.
Parts are cheap, parts are easy to find, zig-zag is variable from 0 to 9 mm wide..zig-zag can be set to start from either left side or right side or to use the centre line..and the needle bar can also be "locked" to sew straight stitch..
Zig -zag "bight" ( width ) can also be varied while the machine is running ( this lets you do freehand embroidery ) by repositioning the Knee lifter bar system under the table to act on the stitch width controller..Takes less than 5 minutes and a small wrench ( spanner ) to do this..Working height ( sewing thickness available ) under the foot is around 6 to 8mm..mine sews the thicknesses that you need to with no problems. Usually has the slower ( 1750 RPM ) of the Singer clutch motors fitted as standard ( with an 80 or 90mm pulley )..so it is easier to control without fitting a servo motor, if it has the 1750 motor you can fit a 50mm pulley..slows it down still further..the motor shaft is tapered..so you need to get a 50mm pulley for tapered shaft.

HTH

you want this type..20U33 thread holder stand is at the back of the machine..can set the zig-zag on the machine face or vary it via the knee lifter...Not all 20U33 machines say 20U33 some just say 20U..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idix5audGjY

not this type
http://www.sewinginsight.com/singer/singer-20u-review/
thread holder is on the machine body..this model is older..zig-zag is not as wide..not all of them had the option of stitch width able to be controlled by the knee lifter..

Of course, if you could get one a Bernina would be even better..they can do 3 step zig-zag too ( but cannot be set to allow freehand ) and parts are waay more..likewise Necchi nice but hard to find..expensive parts..Juki ( various models ) ..but you'll pay more than for a Singer..other older Singers can do zig-zag, but they are older harder to get parts for , frequently sought after by embroiderers that work freehand , and so more expensive, later models are more expensive..Lot of 20U33s were made..used to be the ideal artisans "retouchers" machine, lot of them were used in small alterations and sewing businesses.

Edited October 3, 2017 by mikesc

[lazyd]

Thanks for the input. I'll check out the video and look around to see if any are available. ---------Bill

[Uwe]

There are modern day versions of the Singer 20Uxx series  (e.g. Singer 20U43 from Techsew for $800). The knee-operated zig-zag width adjustment is probably not an essential feature for patchwork rugs. Other vintage zig-zag machines might be good candidates as well, examples: Singer 107W3, Pfaff130, Pfaff 138-63, and others. 

These folks also appear to be using a vintage industrial zig-zag, but I can't quite tell what model that is just from the foot:

 

 

[mikesc]

Looks like the wrong fitting for it to be a 20U ( the screw is on the side on them )..the website of the rug manufacturer shows a better shot of the machine here.
https://mosaichides.com/ho-made/
Juki ? ( a guess based on the end plate on the head, and the colour ), and Juki LZ-1280 and LZ-2280 series machines have the foot attached that way, as does the Singer 107W 457U..Feet are interchangeable between those models.Maybe an older Juki..AFAIK the Singers 107s etc were black..the 20U series came in either of two shades of pale blue( my 20U33 is blue ), or "bronze" ( like my 211 ) or white. That machine looks to be the same "bronze" as my Juki .

This ad lists a lot of industrial zig-zag machines ( scroll down to see the machines that the foot will fit ) that have the foot attached in the way the rug company machine does.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Compensating-Zig-Zag-Foot-Left-For-Singer-107W-457U-Juki-LZ-1280-LZ-2280-/162167318281

Edited October 4, 2017 by mikesc

[Uwe]

Yes, Ebay vendors will often do all the research for you. For LW archiving purposes, I copied the list of suitable industrial zig-zag machines from the Ebay ad below. I have a feeling that just about any of these machines can join two pieces of hair-on-hide leather:

Artisan : 457

Brother : B851, B852

Consew : 175RB, 275R, 276R, 347

Juki : LZ-271, LZ-391, LZ-582, LZ-583, LZ-583, LZ-1280, LZ-1285, LZ-1286, LZ-1287, LZ-1290, LZ-2280, LZ-2282, LZ-2284, LZ-2286, LZ-2290

Mitsubishi : LZ-710, LZ-720, LZ-760, LZ-780, LZ-790

Singer : 107G, 107W, 143G, 143W, 457W, 457U

Stager : DZ-S31

Toyota : AD550

Edited October 4, 2017 by Uwe

[DrmCa]

There is another popular "pseudo-industrial" zig-zag Singer out there to stay away from, but the model number escapes me. It's a glorified household machine which only looks like industrial, even though it comes with the K legs.

[mikesc]

You wouldn't be perchance thinking of the "sew wrong" ( known in some quarters as the "sailrite" ) a "pseudo-industrial" zig-zag if ever there was one..the Trabant ( or Reliant Robin ) of "sewing machines" ?

[dikman]

1 hour ago, mikesc said:

 ( or Reliant Robin ) of "sewing machines" ?

(I couldn't find a rolling-on-floor-laughing thingy).

[lazyd]

Wow Guys ! Thanks for all the info. Now I have to get busy and start looking in my area and see if there is anything available around here.  I didn't even know model numbers of zig zag machines before.  Thanks for the help. ------Bill