Chinese knock offs

[Jbinpa59]

 

Pretty much what I did 3 years ago 

Bought a cb4500 standard trim model and a few extras off eBay for $1650 from a seller that wouldn't ship and claimed in listing i'd need a truck to pick it up (which btw is what kept the bids down)

Won the auction, threw a socket set and a couple moving blankets in my honda 

And made a run to columbia SC from western PA.      9-10hrs each way

Pulled the head off the table

The table off the post

post off the base

It'll fit in the back seat of anything bigger than a smart for two you don't need a truck 

the deals are out there if you're patient, diligent in watching for them are willing to trade some time And effort for price

And most importantly are ready to buy cash in hand now

Btw I've got friends in spartanburg i need to visit

 

[Matt S]

54 minutes ago, Jbinpa59 said:

 

Pretty much what I did 3 years ago 

Bought a cb4500 standard trim model and a few extras off eBay for $1650 from a seller that wouldn't ship and claimed in listing i'd need a truck to pick it up (which btw is what kept the bids down)

Won the auction, threw a socket set and a couple moving blankets in my honda 

And made a run to columbia SC from western PA.      9-10hrs each way

Pulled the head off the table

The table off the post

post off the base

It'll fit in the back seat of anything bigger than a smart for two you don't need a truck 

the deals are out there if you're patient, diligent in watching for them are willing to trade some time And effort for price

Three times I've rocked up to collect a machine in my little VW Polo and the guy's told me it'll never fit. Even my 310lb harness stitcher fit just fine with the head unbolted. Sure beats hiring a truck. Last week I got a bargain on a Seiko from a warehouse an hour's drive away. Had the head in the passenger footwell and the full size table (with clutch motor) on its side into the back in five minutes then went to look for the man. "Need a hand?" he asked. "Nah just wondered where you wanted the pallet truck left." "Cocky bugger!"

[R8R]

I'm reading that eBay ad in the first post and cracking up. What a train wreck of an ad. The description is for a portable chainstitch bag-closer machine, not a tabled lockstitch machine. Slap any old sewing machine pics and mix and match a description - then take the money and run.

 

The 1541S is a great machine as is the 1508, etc.

 

If you do need a drop feed machine for garment work, and you look at a Juki or a Juki clone, check Craig's List as they always seem to pop up there. A decent Juki can be had for about $500 or less. (or a Brother DB series, etc)

Keep in mind - the Juki 8700 type is a slightly heavier duty machine than the Juki 5500 type. The 5500 type (5550, etc) are light weight machines built purely for garment production speed.

With swapped out feed dogs, needle plate, etc the 8700 can handle some heavier garment fabrics, denim, light canvas, etc.

 

 

 

[R8R]

On 8/25/2018 at 10:33 AM, Nightshade said:

 I'm looking at a couple of used on local CL, an Artisan 618-1SC, a Singer 112w140 and a Singer 128 that was refurbished.

That Artisan is a good bet if it's been well cared for. Decent upholstery class machine. I think they are Mitsubishi clones. (Reliable 4000SW is basically the same machine) Horizontal hook, much like the 1541's.

The Singer 112W is a DOUBLE NEEDLE machine.

[Nightshade]

Well I was ready get a Juki 341 clone from a local seller but said it might take me a bit extra time to pick it because of scheduling around the hurricane. Well they made some smart comment and lost a $1200 sale.

[Jbinpa59]

7 hours ago, Nightshade said:

Well I was ready get a Juki 341 clone from a local seller but said it might take me a bit extra time to pick it because of scheduling around the hurricane. Well they made some smart comment and lost a $1200 sale.

Individual or business?

Business you now know not to bother with that seller you won't get any aftersale support

individual ?  Wait a few days if you really want the 341 and call them back maybe the rain will have washed out some of their attitude  

Personally I'd lean towards the suggestions to get a cb3200 instead

why?

Same bobbins / needle system / presser feet as the cb4500/class 4.  441 clones (all bigger than a 341 uses)

And  if you go for a cb4500 down the road for cowboy holsters which are thicker than a 341clone can do and mostly too heavy for the 3200 you'll already have experience with the machine plus have some common use items for both 

I believe using wiz's  dumbing down technique on a 3200 you'll be able to sew down to wallet weight

Just need a narrow throat plate and a flatbed conversion table plus a half hour to do the changeover  adjustments

You already know the cowboy  vendors on this forum support their machines even on secondary buyers

You've got a cb3200 on cl local to you minimal time and fuel to check it out

Yeah seller is asking close to msrp which is more than the 341 clone you mentioned 

But  that's asking not selling  price and long term i believe thats the better machine

no shipping it's local same as 341

no tax same as 341

it's set up for leather from a trusted vendor,   

whose 341  clone is it? Somebody with a good rep for support? Is the 341 set up for leather?I

How commonly used is that brand and model used by forum members?I

If not that right there should hint there's better options out there

 can you take some scrap with you and try it out like the cb3200?

Make an offer on the 3200 worst they can say is no thanks

 I used a herd of singer black iron domestics plus a  loaner juki562 (walkingfoot upholstery flatbed) when I first tried machine sewing leather which showed me real quick it's easier to work your machine down than push a machine past it's design limits

I now have both a cb3200 and a cb4500 they both have the niches

now my uncle has his juki back with a smaller drive pulley and The herd of singers only gets to eat fabric again

It's your coin and your call but I'd pass on the 341 and saddle up a Cowboy machine they work and have the support 

 

Btw a true into the same holes reverse back stitch is a wonderful thing to have

 

[Nightshade]

The one I was looking at getting was a Sewline SL5-1R from a business. 

 

I contacted the seller with the Cowboy minutes afterward. I'm still waiting for a reply. The contact link from CL doesnt have a phone or direct contact info.

[Nightshade]

For most lighter stuff I have an 50s era White Rotary and an older iron Singer that needs cleaning and tune up for thinner stuff, for now.

 

I'm thinking of getting a Juki DNU1541S, or clone, once I have an ROI on the first machine. Then getting a CB4500 after a ROI on the second.

[R8R]

The Sewline SL5-1R...Hmm... Is that place in Spartanburg? Same place that sells on eBay? Avoid. Generic machines, unresponsive (and then rude) owner.

Edited September 11, 2018 by R8R
Formatting

[Nightshade]

I'm not going to say anything else because until that last message they were very helpful.

 

But I got a CB3200 and with the extras and transferable warranty, he originally got it from Toledo, I ended up spending as much as the Sewline.