Sunstar cylinder arm for leather.

[Shirlwhirl]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking to purchase a cylinder arm sewing machine for sewing leather.  To start with I want to make bags and other items from recycled leather from old coats and a few leather sofas that were beyond repair that I stripped.  After I get more advanced then I shall look at other uses for the machine so want some 'growing room'

I've seen a Sunstar KM390 BL that looks to do all I am looking for.  I got educated on the best machines on Wizcrafts thread about the best overall being the triple feed and I believe the Sunstar fits this catagory.  However I'm really struggling to find out much about the machine.  I'm a bit wary of buying a cheap clone as i've had to sell some of my other machines to buy this and I want to keep it a long time and for it to be a little flexible ( I do understand that industrials aren't made as flexible as domestics but it will be nice to have something that is a little versatile)

What do you think guys, would you be happy with a Sunstar cylinder machine?

Thanks for any help

PS if you are in the UK and have a machine I may be interested in please shout out  

[Uwe]

The Sunstar is probably a fine machine, but a used original may be a better choice in terms of long term parts availability and general support. 

I'd recommend considering a used Juki LS-341 instead. You'll have an easier time finding parts and accessories for the Juki compared to the Sunstar. You also have College Sewing not too far from you near Manchester - they support Juki in a big way. College Sewing may also have some used machines, who knows. 

Here's an example of a nice Juki LS-341 on Ebay in your general area that looks like a really good candidate to me:

   

Edited December 16, 2017 by Uwe

[Shirlwhirl]

Thank you Uwe yes I was actually looking at that machine but then I noticed similarities to another machine and the company seem to be posting under different names which worries me a bit.  Looking at their history they haven't actually sold a sewing machine yet.

That is exactly what i'm looking for but not much success.  Its also more than my budget but I would sell a few of my domestic machines to get a good cylinder arm

I can get the Sunstar for almost half that price, but its not money well spent if its not a good machine...

Edited December 16, 2017 by Shirlwhirl
Added more info

[Uwe]

I can't vouch for the seller. Don't just click buy-it-now. I'd talk to the seller and then decide if it's worth spending an afternoon to go check out the machine in person. It's only a two-hour drive to Manchester. Avoid shipping if at all possible. 

There isn't much overlap between "good cylinder arm machine" and "less than 1,100 GBP". 

[Shirlwhirl]

Thanks again, I think that is the way to go.  Shipping could end up being very risky.

I've now found an Adler 69 which is even more out of my price range so I would have to find other sewing machines to sell... but it does look a lovely machine! 

[Sonydaze]

I run a couple of Sunstar KM 590BL machines fairly hard (for many years) and they have proven to me to be good machines. The few parts I've needed were easy to get.  That being said, I buy my machines used and certainly wouldn't turn down a good deal on a Juki.

[Shirlwhirl]

Thanks Sonydaze.

I've been searching all night and its quite confusing with all the different models and clones etc. 

The Sunstar 390BL is just over an hour from me and almost half price of the Juki as I mentioned.  There doesn't seem to be another Juki 341 for sale other than that one on ebay but I have a bad feeling as its been advertised in a few places under different names...  I would love a Juki 341!

I may go see the Sunstar after your positive comments on them.

Otherwise I am waiting to hear back on an Adler 69, but again its £500 more than the Sunstar.

[Uwe]

If you can get a new Sunstar with table and servo motor for £600, then your budget may dictate to check that one out first. I'm just a little concerned that after subtracting cost of table, motor, and shipping from Korea, there's really not much left to build the actual sewing machine. Sometimes new things are too cheap to be sustainable or ethical. But then again, I'm guilty of buying that $3 bottle of wine and I forget all my ethical dilemmas by the time I'm done with it.

[Matt S]

3 hours ago, Shirlwhirl said:

Thanks Sonydaze.

I've been searching all night and its quite confusing with all the different models and clones etc. 

The Sunstar 390BL is just over an hour from me and almost half price of the Juki as I mentioned.  There doesn't seem to be another Juki 341 for sale other than that one on ebay but I have a bad feeling as its been advertised in a few places under different names...  I would love a Juki 341!

I may go see the Sunstar after your positive comments on them.

Otherwise I am waiting to hear back on an Adler 69, but again its £500 more than the Sunstar.

Shirl is that Sunstar being sold with a guarantee, and if so how confident are you that the seller (a) knows what they are talking about and (b) has the wherewithal to backup that guarantee? Are they a dealer or someone who sells sewing machines?

[Shirlwhirl]

Good morning, thanks for the replies.

Ah sorry I was unclear wasn't I.  The Sunstar is not a new machine.  Ive been in conversation with the guy and he has offered me a good price for pick up only.   He seems to have a number of machines available and feedback seems ok. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sunstar-Walking-Foot-Cylinder-Arm-Industrial-Sewing-Machine/322857342067?hash=item4b2bcc1473:g:0S0AAOSwfXBZqWea

I don't know what it is a clone of and of course I don't know what kind of treatment it had in its last life.  That will be the same with any second user until I guess.

Otherwise i'm waiting to hear back on an Adler 69 and i'm looking at a brand new  Tysew Mark 5 https://www.tysew.co.uk/industrial-sewing-machines/needle-feed/tysew-mark-5-cylinder-arm-walking-foot-needle-feed-eco-  At least going brand new I wont have the usual worries.  However from reading these forums it seems you guys would rather go for a used quality over new mediocre. 

Remember that the Sunstar is going to be around £500 cheaper than the other two machines I mentioned.  However the price isn't the only concern as I would pay more for a machine I will enjoy....

Thanks again

 

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shirlwhirl

[brmax]

I recommend holding off any purchases that require shipping from another country.  These few months at least could give an oppurtunity and or more insight with in country machines.  Wishing great success on your search. 

Good day

Floyd

[Matt S]

7 hours ago, Shirlwhirl said:

Good morning, thanks for the replies.

Ah sorry I was unclear wasn't I.  The Sunstar is not a new machine.  Ive been in conversation with the guy and he has offered me a good price for pick up only.   He seems to have a number of machines available and feedback seems ok. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sunstar-Walking-Foot-Cylinder-Arm-Industrial-Sewing-Machine/322857342067?hash=item4b2bcc1473:g:0S0AAOSwfXBZqWea

I don't know what it is a clone of and of course I don't know what kind of treatment it had in its last life.  That will be the same with any second user until I guess.

Otherwise i'm waiting to hear back on an Adler 69 and i'm looking at a brand new  Tysew Mark 5 https://www.tysew.co.uk/industrial-sewing-machines/needle-feed/tysew-mark-5-cylinder-arm-walking-foot-needle-feed-eco-  At least going brand new I wont have the usual worries.  However from reading these forums it seems you guys would rather go for a used quality over new mediocre. 

Remember that the Sunstar is going to be around £500 cheaper than the other two machines I mentioned.  However the price isn't the only concern as I would pay more for a machine I will enjoy....

Thanks again

 

If the link you sent to the Sunstar is the one you are considering buying, consider that you are buying it from a bloke who sells secondhand sewing machines rather than a dealer. It looks in good cosmetic nick generally speaking but what do you know about its actual condition -- and for that matter what does the seller know? Has it had a hard crash and knocked the timing out (fixable) or shattered a gear (maybe not fixable)? Has the hook been damaged by some incompetent person clearing a birdsnest with a screwdriver? Would Bradley know what to look for? Would you? And can you afford to fix the machine if it's not right or buy another if repair wasn't viable?

I bought a Wimsew 246 secondhand from a saddler on eBay this year. I am not short of machines but was looking for a very specific set of features and this was the only one I could find within my budget for ages. Turns out it was in terrible shape. In order to fit on the pallet the table had been disassembled with a sledgehammer. The table, much of the head and motor were covered in rust. Once I'd fixed these issues I had the fun of timing it because, despite being advertised as "was working but not guaranteed" it was badly out. Clearly someone from the "butter knife is a universal screwdriver" school of mechanics had been inside it several times, and I suspect this is why it ended up on eBay. I eventually called a service engineer. After some doubt he got it going, and TBF it does go mostly okay. However he advised me to save up and buy a Singer, Adler or Pfaff. Then he presented his bill.

I got lucky that my Wimsew machine was worth fixing -- and it only was without factoring in the cost of my own time. I don't tell you this to scare you off this machine or eBay in general. I've bought and sold machines and all sorts on that site and made some fair deals. Just passing on some experience.

[Sonydaze]

If you think the Sunstar is the right type of machine for you, it is only an hour away.  I would contact the seller and see if I could take it for a test drive... bring some of the  materials you plan on sewing on it and see how it actually sews  (you may need to bring thread as well). Sew on the machine using both forward and reverse, change the stitch length around. If it sews well and doesn't make any unusual noises, it is likely fine. I like to get a good look at the point of the hook, to see if it is worn or burred.  In the pictures, the machine looks close to new. The foot pedals don't show much wear and the paint on the cylinder arm doesn't look worn.  It already has a servo motor on it, which you would end up changing to if you bought a machine with a clutch motor.

The Juki that Uwe suggested looks good as well.  I would look at it too if possible.

 

[Shirlwhirl]

Good morning and thanks again

Some very good comments there and certainly things to think about.  

Matt you are absolutely right.. and the bit about getting your bill, well yes, that makes buying a cheaper machine not exactly the bargain you think you may be getting.  Ebay isn't the place it used to be.  It does seem to have become the place to dump everything you can't shift, shame really.

Sonydaze I am going to wait to hear back about the Adler 69 today.  Its from a dealer and they need to check whether they still have stock, if not I will go look at the Sunstar armed with testing material.  The Sunstar is close enough for me to bring it home with me and not have to worry about having it shipped.  As you mentioned, the machine does look like its only been lightly used.

I do fancy a Juki but the only one I can find for sale is the one on the above auction and something doesn't feel right there.  That same picture has been used to advertise machines on Gumtree, Preloved etc but each time with a different owner.  I'm not going to investigate that one any further. 

 

[Matt S]

Shirl there's about 6 or 7 industrial sewing machine dealers around Leicester. Many of these sorts of places don't advertise used machines individually but it would be worth a quick phone call to see what they have in stock. Alan Godrich stocks/imports Sunstar so might be worth a visit just to test drive one of theirs so you can see what one "should" work like.

[Shirlwhirl]

Thanks Matt

I had actually looked at all the dealers around Leicester but didn't find anything so assumed they had none in.  I will have another look and give them a call.

[Shirlwhirl]

Hi again.

Just a quick update.  So I contacted the guy with the Sunstar 390BL and it turns out that he is actually a sewing machine engineer.  He has a number of the machines that he took out of a workplace that was getting upgraded.  His company installed the new equipment and I assume bought the old stuff as part of the deal.

I bought one of the 390's and the guy delivered and set it up for me. I'm thrilled with it. It even comes with the sewing guide and a useful lamp.  The machine is as good as new.  It runs well (in my limited experience)

It is made in China and probably not as g ood as the Juki or Adlers but I would be paying double or triple for one of those.

So just wanted to say thanks for the helpful advice given to me.  I hope to get cracking on some leather items very soon!

[bikermutt07]

53 minutes ago, Shirlwhirl said:

Hi again.

Just a quick update.  So I contacted the guy with the Sunstar 390BL and it turns out that he is actually a sewing machine engineer.  He has a number of the machines that he took out of a workplace that was getting upgraded.  His company installed the new equipment and I assume bought the old stuff as part of the deal.

I bought one of the 390's and the guy delivered and set it up for me. I'm thrilled with it. It even comes with the sewing guide and a useful lamp.  The machine is as good as new.  It runs well (in my limited experience)

It is made in China and probably not as g ood as the Juki or Adlers but I would be paying double or triple for one of those.

So just wanted to say thanks for the helpful advice given to me.  I hope to get cracking on some leather items very soon!

That scenario couldn't have worked out any better. Cheers!!!

[Matt S]

That's great Shirl. That's a versatile machine that can do a lot of jobs!