What should I look out for when buying a Durkopp 291?

[MrBurns]

I'm brand new to industrial sewing machines, but I've been reading these forums for close to a year while I suffer my home sewing machine. I mostly sew helmet liners and similar items involving multiple layers of foam, thin plastic (HDPE), suede, neoprene, synthetics, and binding tape. Occasionally all stacked together. I've been looking for a good walking foot machine to make quick work of these layers and found this Adler 291 locally. I'm a little concerned with the electronic controller and lack of available parts. Both will hinder my ability to repair it. It was set up to sew and as far as I could tell it worked fine, but the owner did not have the tension set properly and I was in a hurry. My question is, what red flags should I look for when buying a machine, how do I test it, and is this machine worth it? Seller is asking $700CDN, and doesn't seem to know much about the machine. Here is their description

 

Durkopp Adler 291 Walking Foot industrial sewing machine, 120 volt, Servo motor - Efka Variostop V720 control - Servo motor - Comes with air compressor, needed for presser foot lift. - Comes with a VFD power convertor to convert 120 volt AC to 220 Volt 3 phase. So you can use this in your home on regular 120 volt power. - The lower thread cutter does not work.

I don't know much about this sewing machine anymore, I've forgotten how to program it. The instructions are included.

This is an old commercial machine, it weighs a lot and is a class above entry level industrial machines. I would suggest that you either know about these machines, or be willing to learn about them, as it will probably need adjustment at some point. Sold As Is condition.

 

 

 

[dikman]

Quite a bit of machinery there! I'm also curious what the more knowledgeable folk on here will advise. Me, I would only have it if someone gave it to me as if something went wrong with it I reckon it could be an expensive nightmare to fix. And if that was the only machine you had and were relying on it......

[kgg]

Here was back in Jan or Feb here in Ontario a batch of 30 of those that were sold for about $200 and if I remember correctly a couple of members bought some of them. Hopefully they will advise you about their experience. Like dikman I would be concerned with parts / service. I would have a tendency to pass on that machine, there are simpler solutions available with a whole lot less expensive electronics / accessories to fail down the road.  I would take a sample of the the layers of materials, go visit a dealer / repair shop and see what they would recommend new or used. 

kgg

[Constabulary]

I know those "technical" sewing machines are tempting to buy but these machines are meant to run in a industrial environments having a sewing machine technician checking them when ever needed.

For sure interesting to have all the bell and whistles but often enough they cause problems due to their age and you barely find someone who is still be able to deal with motors like EFKA Vario Stop or Quick Rotan and the like. I have tried it twice and both motors went to the junk yard. If those motors have issues in my opinion it is really not worth the time and money. However - if everything is well tuned and running - then why not

But personally I´m a low tech fan - I like machines I can repair with a "hammer and a nail".  I (personally) would remove the entire motor and replace it with a new servo motor and maybe a speed reducer. I think on the long view this is a more trouble free solution.

Beside that - 291 are for sure excellent machines but as you said parts are $$$ and hard to find. College sewing in the UK have some parts and I´m sure most DA dealers can supply you with parts. Hooks and presser feet are extremely expensive.

My 2 cents

[R8R]

If it sews well $700 is not a bad price, even for a machine with no auto functions, and it comes with the converter already.

 

All the bells and whistles are a bonus if and when you need them. Needle positioning, auto backtack and foot lift are actually handy to have.

If it was like $1400 or more I would pass, but $700 is doable.

Not the *best* choice for a first machine, but a nice machine regardless.

[DonInReno]

On 12/2/2018 at 4:06 PM, MrBurns said:

I'm brand new to industrial sewing machines....

Based on that alone I’d stay far away from this machine.

Whatever justification you come up with for buying it should be put on hold until after you have a basic good stitching walking foot machine like a singer 111w155, Juki lu-562, or similar...

 

Edited December 5, 2018 by DonInReno

[shoepatcher]

I would agree.  Get a simpler machine to start with.

glenn

[MrBurns]

Thanks for the advice. I found an old pfaff walking foot near by, but cant figure out what model it is. I'll start another thread with pics.

[shoepatcher]

Isn't that that Pfaff 145?

If so, a good machine

[loverock]

03.12.2018 в 08:05, Constabulary сказал:

Я знаю, что эти «технические» швейные машины заманчивы для покупки, но эти машины предназначены для работы в промышленных условиях, и при необходимости их должен проверять специалист по швейным машинам.

Конечно, интересно иметь все эти навороты, но часто они вызывают проблемы из-за своего возраста, и вы вряд ли найдете кого-то, кто все еще может вращаться с такими моторами, как EFKA Vario Stop или Quick Rotan и подобные конференции. Я пробовал это дважды, и оба мотора включились на свалку. Если у этих моторов есть проблемы, то, по моему мнению, им действительно не хватает времени и денег. Однако, если все хорошо настроено и работает, то почему бы и нет

Но лично я подавляю низкие технологии - мне нравятся, которые я могу починить с помощью "молотки машины и гвоздя". Я бы (лично) снял весь двигатель и заменил его новым серводвигателем и, возможно, редуктором скорости. Я думаю, что в борьбе против поражения это более беспроблемное решение.

Кроме того, 291, безусловно, отличные, но, как вы сказали, запчасти стоят $$$ машины и их трудно найти. В колледжах шитья в Великобритании есть некоторые запчасти, и я уверен, что большинство дилеров DA могут сломать вам запчасти. Челноки и прижимные лапки стоят очень дорого.

Мои 2 цента

У меня вопрос, какие жидкости стоит использовать для замены и использования. У меня есть стандартное окошко для масла, я бы хотел спросить, какое масло стоит использовать для самой машины. И так же под станиной у меня есть два маленьких резервуара с синей жидкостью. Если у вас есть возможность, у меня есть вотсап или телеграм. Пишу конкретно вам из-за украинского флага на аватре