What ZIGZAG machine would compliment my Consew 206RB-2 for leather?

[chrisash]

Found this on Youtube and at £300 plus the changes even if it only lasts a few years it might be a good buy for hobbie leatherworkers, but impressive speed control

 

[Wizcrafts]

I bought one of those odd name portable walking foot machines off an eBay private seller a few years ago. The box was dropped on the way and the machine was hopelessly jammed and inoperable and I couldn't free up the main shaft. The seller tried to refuse to take it back and I had to go into arbitration to get some of my money back. So, anybody contemplating buying one should add insurance if offered for the full amount of the machine, plus shipping. Chances are very high that the box will be dropped and the plastic housing will crack, or main shaft will get pushed too far to fix it.

[chrisash]

I brought a ford car that was crap a few years ago, does that mean they are all crap, I bet there are loads of stories about people buying Singers that were faulty, they may actually pack them better these days aswell. comon lets be fait about it Wiz

ps I dont have one and not buying one, just pointed out a cheap solution for what looked a simple and probably not to often done job that wanted doing

[Wizcrafts]

18 minutes ago, chrisash said:

I brought a ford car that was crap a few years ago, does that mean they are all crap, I bet there are loads of stories about people buying Singers that were faulty, they may actually pack them better these days aswell. comon lets be fait about it Wiz

ps I dont have one and not buying one, just pointed out a cheap solution for what looked a simple and probably not to often done job that wanted doing

I simply passed along my experience where the original shipping box and Styrofoam packaging was ineffective at protecting the fragile machine from a drop along the way. Industrial sewing machines are usually shipped strapped onto pallets, with wooden a protective box around the head, with the hand wheel removed to protect the back of the machine from rough handling damage. Industrial sewing machines and tables are usually shipped fully insured.

[R8R]

The little zig zag walking foot machine I have was in a bin at the Goodwill receiving depot. I payed less than 10 bucks for it. Sews great.

I see them on Craig's List occasionally, always cheap.

 

[myjtp]

54 minutes ago, R8R said:

The little zig zag walking foot machine I have was in a bin at the Goodwill receiving depot. I payed less than 10 bucks for it. Sews great.

I see them on Craig's List occasionally, always cheap.

 

Do you have one of the sailrite clones?

[R8R]

37 minutes ago, myjtp said:

Do you have one of the sailrite clones?

Yep. As of the other day, 2 of them. Picked up one on CL with a neat little butcher block table someone made for it.

[chrisash]

Nobody is saying they are industrial machines, they are low cost domestic machines with a foot feed that do a job, if you are a professional using them every day , then no doubt they would fail, but they are tough for what they are

I'm Out

[R8R]

30 minutes ago, chrisash said:

Nobody is saying they are industrial machines, they are low cost domestic machines with a foot feed that do a job, if you are a professional using them every day , then no doubt they would fail, but they are tough for what they are

I'm Out

I would call them "utility" machines. They are definitely stronger than most any home machine, but nobody should pretend they are regular professional use machines. I keep em around for the occasional zig zag, which is rare.

[Constabulary]

I like the Singer 307G2, Singer 107w / 143w Series along with 20U and 457 because you find a good range of needle plates feed dogs and presser feet for different applications. Other brands probably share these parts with Singer but I don´t know the "who is who of ZZ clone machines".

Never underestimate the range of accessories that is available for certain machines!!! The availability of accessories and parts made me a huge vintage Singer fan. For the above Singers you find some nice broader feed dogs,and needle plates + presser feet and also "diamond / checkered" feed dogs with less aggressive teeth.

BTW - the above machines all share the same feed dogs and needle plates but presser feet differ (guess how I know)

107w can also be fitted as straight and ZZ binder machine (maybe possible with the 20U too but I`m not sure). You also find blank presser feet for making a custom foot for the 107w, 143w, 457 - just in case...

Other than that Pfaff 138 is great - IMO nicer than the predecessor 238.

Edited October 21, 2018 by Constabulary